The survey discovered that 8 out of every 10 Aussies admit they have bad breath and are anxious about it. Interestingly, the survey also found that Australians would rather tell a mate their partner has been cheating than tell them they need a mint. Some respondents even said they would rather put up with their dog’s bad breath than your partner’s.
Sadly, other findings included that only 51 per cent of Australian adults brush their teeth twice daily, and only 56 per cent of Australian adults have been to the dentist for a checkup in the past 12 months.
However, Dr David Hills, an Australian dentist and oral hygiene expert, has some tips on how to fix and avoid bad breath.
1. Increase your saliva flow and prevent dehydration. Drink lots of water throughout the day and limit your intake of caffeine.
2. Don’t feed the bacteria and limit your intake of sugary foods.
3. Brush, floss and rinse with a mouthwash at least twice per day. If you wear dentures, clean your dentures daily and store in water at night. Brush your tongue when you brush your teeth.
4. Brush before breakfast to avoid ingesting the bad bacteria that have multiplied in your mouth all night. Brushing before you eat will decrease the likelihood of smelly breath during the day.
5. As part of your oral hygiene routine, using an on-the-go solution in between brushes twice a day will eliminate bad odours and leave you with a full mouth clean feeling throughout the day, especially when you’re on the move.
6. Clear your airway. Blow your nose or use a saline nasal spray when you are congested. Mucous that becomes stagnant or remains in the nasal passages for more than 24 hours will become a food source for bad breath bacteria.
7. Visit your dentist regularly. Keeping up with your oral hygiene and discussing any concerns with your dentist early will help you prevent any issues with bad breath.
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