Braces will correct crooked teeth. However, it may cause a significant change in your daily life and mouth habits. It is possible to have some problems with the braces at first until you adjust to them. Bad breath is one of the most common problems. It can be embarrassing. In this article, We’ll discuss the causes of bad breath with braces and what you can do to remedy it.
What Causes Bad Breath With Braces?
The reason bad breath is more common with braces is that the hardware of braces makes food more likely to get stuck between the teeth. It is also harder to clean the food. Food not taken out from underneath the brackets or teeth can become a breeding ground for bacteria, which produces an unpleasant odor.
Other reasons for bad breath with braces include gum disease, drinking, smoking, oral hygiene habits or your diet.
10 Easy Ways to Get Rid of Bad Breath.
Now that you know the causes, you should know how to avoid bad breath with braces. Here are 10 ways to prevent bad breath while undergoing orthodontic treatment:
- Up Your Brushing Game
It is essential to brush your teeth during Invisalign treatment and braces. A healthy mouth is the best place for teeth to move. Gum disease and cavities can cause problems that could hinder your treatment. Regular brushing is the best way to prevent bad breath with braces. This will eliminate odor-causing bacteria, plaque, food debris, and other particles. You can brush your teeth after meals, snacks and in the morning. Before bed, use fluoride toothpaste.
- Floss At Least Once Daily
You can eliminate bad breath by flossing at least once daily while undergoing orthodontic treatment. Flossing is a great way to eliminate food and plaque between your teeth and the gum line, which your toothbrush cannot reach. It’s essential to prevent infections such as gum disease that can cause bad breath. Invisalign treatment doesn’t require you to change how you floss. As for how I floss with braces, A floss threader or orthodontic flosser is a great way to simplify this process.
- Use Mouthwash For Better Breath
You can add a mouth rinse to your routine if you have been brushing and flossing well but still have bad breath with braces. A fluoride-based antibacterial or antimicrobial mouth rinse is the best option. This will kill odor-causing bacteria, prevent cavities, and protect your teeth from other health issues that could lead to bad breath. You can use it twice daily to swish in your mouth for around 60 seconds. Then, spit it out.
- Eat More Apples
An apple a day keeps the dentist away, right?
Not necessarily, but apples do help promote good oral health. The natural fibrous texture of apples can stimulate gums. They are also good for removing plaque from between the teeth.
Plus, apples increase saliva production, which in turn washes away bacteria. The apples don’t have a strong smell, so they don’t contribute to bad breath.
- Be aware of or avoid eating foods that cause bad breath
Certain foods can cause bad breath. For example, onions and garlic are good for our health, but they can leave a bad odor on our breath. Unfortunately, brushing your teeth after eating them won’t make a difference because the odor-causing ingredients they contain travel to your bloodstream and are expelled from your lungs. If you don’t want your diet to be restricted, you should be careful about when you eat these foods. Avoid them before social events or meetings.
- Drink Plenty of Water
Drinking enough water to keep your mouth hydrated will help prevent dryness. Water will wash away bacteria and food particles. This will help keep your breath fresh and your gums and teeth healthy. Plain water is all you need to stay hydrated with Invisalign aligners. This is true for both clear aligners and braces patients.
- Use a Tongue Scraper
A tongue scraper can be a great addition to your daily flossing, brushing, and cleaning routine. A tongue scraper removes bacteria from your tongue and prevents bad breath.
- Visit your dentist regularly
Regular visits to your dentist are essential for maintaining your oral health and hygiene, even if you’re currently undergoing orthodontic treatment. Plaque and tartar buildup is more likely when food particles are trapped in braces. Bacteria, tartar, and plaque cause bad breath. Regular dental cleanings are essential to remove these odors. Dental cleanings not only prevent bad breath with braces but also prevent tooth decay and gum disease.
- Use a Proxabrush for Tight Spaces
A proxabrush is also known as an interdental brush. You can use this brush to clean around braces appliances or get into tight spaces that would otherwise be difficult to reach. This will remove food debris and help prevent or eliminate bad breath with braces.
- Get a Water Pick
You can find these devices at various price points and from many manufacturers. Water picks are made to clean the spaces between your gums and teeth. You can also use them to clean the braces, which are the most difficult to reach. Your gums may bleed initially when you use a water pick. This is similar to what happened when you first started flossing. Your gum inflammation will decrease as you use the water pick every day. This will help keep your teeth healthy and eliminate bad breath germs.
Ready to Get Rid of Bad Breath With Braces?
Use the tips mentioned above to get rid of bad breath. Make sure you take care of your mouth, teeth, and gums. Also, make sure to drink plenty of water.
The best tip for maintaining a healthy smile is to see your dentist regularly. Schedule regular visits for cleanings and checkups.
