Three tips to save yourself from bad breath, from Lifetime Smiles

You - like many people - may have recently taken a deep bite into something tasty, knowing the outcome would be bad breath, no matter how much you tried to avoid it. This week, our staff at Lifetime Smiles thought we'd share a few tips with you to help prevent bad breath, also known as halitosis. Dr. Rabee McDonald and Dr. Jeff Prais know bad breath can be a real downer, but want you to know it can be easily prevented!

Bad breath is caused by odor-producing bacteria that grow in your mouth. This bacteria gathers on bits of food and between your teeth and release sulfur compounds, making your breath smell. A few months ago, we read an article by Dr. Andrew Weil titled, "3 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath." Dr. Weil recommends the following ways to help prevent bad breath:

1. Brush your tongue: "The tongue, and especially the back of the tongue, is a warm harbor for bacteria," he writes, and recommends spending some time on your tongue during teeth brushing, "moving slowly toward the back so as not to activate your gag reflex."

2. Keep your mouth hydrated: Because a dry mouth typically leads to bad breath, eating oranges or celery, or drinking water, may help.

3. Freshen your mouth: Herbal palate cleansers (parsley, peppermint tea and cardamom seeds may do the trick). If bad breath returns, please give us a call at our convenient Escondido office! Drs. McDonald and Prais may diagnose any condition or concerns of the oral cavity that may be causing the problems, such as gum disease.

For more tips on how to avoid halitosis, ask one of our doctors next time you're in for an appointment, or check out this post on WebMD.