Ever heard someone complain about how their braces gave them a bad breath? While there are probably a few people out there telling that kind of story, it’s just that: stories that don’t give the full picture of the situation. While it’s entirely possible to start having bad breath while wearing braces or after having them removed, these dental appliances are not the cause of this embarrassing ordeal. If you want to learn more about orthodontics in general or this topic in particular, go to https://www.flavoieorthodontiste.com/.
The Root Cause
Unsurprisingly enough, the root cause of bad breath is the same whether or not orthodontic appliances are involved. More often than not, it’s due to having food particles stuck in your mouth, which in turn leads to them decaying. It’s this process that produces the unpleasant smell emanating from your mouth and known as bad breath.
Unfortunately, this chain reaction is even more likely to occur when you wear braces — which is not the same as saying that they’re the cause! Indeed, when you wear these dental appliances, brushing your teeth every day, several times a day, is not enough since bacteria and food particles can still hide in the multiple crevices found around the wires and brackets of your braces. If you don’t pay attention to your dental appliances cleanliness, you’ll increase your chances of getting bad breath.
What Can You Do To Reduce Your Chances of Having Bad Breath While Wearing Braces?
There are actually several simple steps you can undertake to avoid having bad breath while wearing braces. Here are the main ones.
Brush and Floss Several Times a Day
It goes without saying and you should actually follow this recommendation even if you’re not wearing braces: brush and floss your teeth regularly, which means every day and several times a day, preferably after each meal. This routine will help to remove food particles and plaque from your teeth.
Use A Good Mouthwash
If you’re not already using one, invest in an antibacterial mouthwash, and include it in the aforementioned dental routine. That will help fight plaque, gingivitis and also bad breath.
Focus On Certain Types of Foods
And avoid some, especially the smelly ones such as foods that contain garlic and onions. Now that we’ve stated the obvious, try to also stay clear of sugary foods, which are the most common offenders when it comes to bad breath and tooth decay.
Make Sure to Stay Hydrated
This one is maybe less well-known than other items on the list, but dehydration is actually very bad for your oral health (among other things) because it increases the chances of — wait for it — bad breath. Indeed, a dry mouth impedes the natural flow of saliva, which contributes to the removal of stuck food particles, including the bacteria that feed on them. With that in mind, make sure to drink plenty of water throughout the day in order to keep your mouth clean and healthy.
Use a Water Pick
While they’re not the first thing to come in mind when it comes to fighting bad breath, water picks are actually great tools to clean between your gum line and brace. Their powerful water jets tend to be more effective than normal toothbrushes, plus they have the added benefit of giving a fresh feeling to your mouth.
Stay In Touch With Your Orthodontist.
It can’t be stressed enough: having routine teeth cleanings and examinations with your orthodontist is an integral part of any orthodontic treatment, especially if you wear braces. Scheduling regular appointments with your dental health professional will help you get on top of any gum or tooth issue, and thus prevent the causes of bad breath.
In short, wearing braces or other types of dental appliances don’t lead to bad breath: poor oral hygiene practices lead to bad breath. Follow these simple tips as well as your orthodontist’s recommendations to make sure that you keep your mouth healthy and smelling fresh!
