Bad breath can be embarrassing. Fortunately, it can also be pretty easy to get rid of. There are many things that can cause bad breath and learning some of the causes is the first step to addressing the problem.

1. Brush and Floss More Often If you make it a habit to brush and floss after each meal, you can avoid bad breath. By properly brushing and flossing, you remove the food particles and bacteria that can cause bad breath and also keep your smile fresh and white. Regular visits to your Marietta, Ga. , dentist will also help keep your breath fresh.
2. Clean Your Tongue Often people forget that taking care of your tongue is as important as taking care of your gums and teeth. Use a tongue scraper to thoroughly clean your tongue to rid it of bacteria and other odor-producing particles. Your dentist in Marietta can explain the proper technique for cleaning your tongue.
3. Watch What You Eat Our food choices can affect our breath and create an uncomfortable situation with friends co-workers or loved ones. The obvious culprits are onions and garlic. Some foods that can help combat bad breath are certain herbs and spices, one being parsley, which has chlorophyll, a natural breath freshener.
4. Watch What You Drink Alcohol, coffee and even milk can cause bad breath. Sugary sodas can cause bad breath by encouraging the growth of bacteria. Also, drinking plenty of water helps to rinse away particles that can cause bad breath and keep the inside of the mouth moist. Having a dry mouth can cause bad breath.
5. Rinse Your Mouth If you can't brush and floss after a meal, using a good mouthwash can help rid you of bad breath. Believe it or not, even rinsing with plain water after eating can help.
6. Don't Smoke Smoking causes bad breath. It can also lead to a variety of other dental health problems such as gum disease, cancers and irritations. Even if you brush immediately after smoking a cigar or a cigarette, you can have bad breath because the odor can come up from your lungs.
7. Check Your Medications Some medications can cause bad breath. Read about the possible side effects of your medication to see if bad breath is included. If you are having a problem with bad breath and suspect that your medication is the cause, you should speak with your doctor and see if he can prescribe a different medication.
8. Chew Gum Chewing gum is more effective and longer-lasting than an after-dinner mint. The act of chewing increases the mouth's production of saliva, which washes away food particles and bacteria. Many brands of gum also have additives that help to reduce bad breath.
9. Visit Your Dentist If you continue to be troubled by bad breath, make an appointment with your Marietta dentist to discuss the causes and to look for solutions. Sometimes, bad breath can indicate a more serious dental problem that needs to be addressed. Your dentist can also show you how best to care for your teeth, gums and tongue so that you can avoid the development of bad breath.

If bad breath is an ongoing problem you should discuss it with your dentist and they may even recommend that you also ask your family doctor how they can help. But for most of us, bad breath is caused by what we eat, drink and other personal habits, such as smoking. If you brush and floss regularly and use a good mouthwash, you can usually avoid the embarrassment of bad breath.