When you brush your teeth, do it for at least two minutes to ensure that your teeth and mouth are fully clean. [2] X Research source To make it easier to brush on the go, you may want to keep a travel size toothbrush and tube of toothpaste in your purse, bag, or even the glove compartment in your car.
Keep a container of floss with your travel toothbrush and paste, so you can floss whenever you feel the need. For flossing on the go, it may be easier to keep some floss or dental picks in your bag. Floss picks feature a small plastic handle and a single strand of floss suspended across it. A dental pick is a small brush-like pick that can easily fit between your teeth for flossing. If you feel the need to floss and don’t have any on hand, you can use a toothpick to remove food from between your teeth. You can also run it gently between your teeth to get rid of plaque that may be hanging around.
You can find tongue scrapers or cleaners in the same aisle at the drugstore that you find toothbrushes.
Consult the instructions on the mouthwash packaging to determine how much to use. Choose a mouthwash that’s alcohol-free. Alcohol can dry out your mouth, which can lead to bad breath.
Opt for sugar-free mints, which are better for your teeth. Those that include Xylitol are the best option because it is a natural sweetener so it doesn’t encourage the growth of mouth bacteria like sugar does. Keep in mind that breath mints are just a temporary fix. If you’ve having chronic bad breath, you may need to use more long term solutions.
Just as with the mints, choose sugar-free gum that contains Xylitol to protect your teeth.
You can find breath strips in the same aisle as toothpaste and mouthwash at the drugstore. Breath strips usually come in small containers that are easy to keep in your bag or pocket so you always have one when you need it.
Staying hydrated is also a good idea because having a dry mouth can lead to stale breath. Gargling with salt water daily can also help make your breath fresh. It helps remove bacteria and mucus from your mouth that may form into stones on the tonsils that often cause bad breath.
While you’re working to quit smoking or chewing, be sure to brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash regularly to keep your breath fresh.
If you can’t resist your favorite foods, brush, floss, and rinse with mouthwash after you eat a meal. If you’re unable to brush your teeth after eating, use a mint or piece of gum to cover up the scent of pungent food on your breath. If you’re out at restaurant and can’t brush your teeth, rinse with mouthwash, and don’t have any gum or mints, chew on the piece of parsley used to garnish your plate. Parsley is a natural deodorizer so it can help freshen your breath when you’ve eaten pungent foods.
Brushing, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwash after you drink can help freshen your breath. A breath mint or piece of gum can mask bad breath from coffee or alcohol too. Following up each drink of coffee or alcohol with a glass water can also help keep your breath fresh.
