The easiest way to get rid of bad breath — according to a dentist

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December 10, 2017 1:31 PM

Dr. Ada Cooper explains everything you need to know about alleviating bad breath.

Bad breath is sometimes very disconcerting, not to mention that it can be gross. Dr. Ada Cooper explains everything you need to know about alleviating bad breath. Following is a transcript of the video.

Dr. Ada Cooper: Don't think that living a life of mouthwash four times a day is always going to cure your bad breath. If food remains on your teeth because you don't brush and you don't floss, that food just sits in your mouth and is degraded by bacteria and you can just imagine the odor that gives off. Be sure that when you brush, you brush your teeth at night.

Again, many people don't realize that food just sits in your mouth overnight, in the morning your breath will be far stronger than you could ever imagine. And brush your tongue too. Bacteria accumulates in the back surface of your tongue and can also cause strong odor. Also be sure to drink a lot of water. When your mouth becomes more dry, you have less saliva and when you have less saliva food and bacteria tends to sit in your mouth for a much longer period of time. But also remember that there are other things beyond just being thirsty that can make your mouth dry.

For example, coffee alcohol smoking which is never a good idea and even some medications can cause dry mouth. If you find that your breath is strong no matter what you do. If you find that you're constantly having to use mouthwash which really often times just camouflages bad odor you may have something else going on than poor hygiene. So in the instance, it's really important to see your dentist because other things that can't be cured by just brushing, flossing, and watching what you eat might be going on.

This video was first published on December 17, 2016.

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