If you have bad breath, your family dentist can help. Bad breath is a common problem that can impact people of all ages. Whether you are healthy and in shape, or sick, you can be plagued with stale or foul-smelling breath. Gum, mints, and mouthwash are common ways to freshen your breath and mask the smell, but they don't solve the root of the issue.Halitosis (severe bad breath) can impact people to such a degree that it hurts self-confidence and makes them embarrassed to speak to people in general or in a confined area like a car. Even children can suffer from halitosis, making teenage years even more difficult than they already are.As a family dentist, we treat patients of all ages and have multiple ways to treat bad breath and help your family to stay in optimal oral health. Follow these tips to improve your breath now and in the long run.Stop smoking. If you are a smoker, plaque is being deposited onto your tongue, gums, and teeth. This increases your risk of cavities and gum disease along with bad breath. Stop smoking to instantly improve your breath.Avoid garlic and other strong foods. There are certain foods that will leave a lingering smell in your mouth for the entire day, garlic is one of them. If you notice that your breath is particularly bad after eating a certain dish, adjust your eating habits by removing that ingredient from the recipe.Brush after meals. Instead of brushing twice a day, brush after every meal. Use a soft toothbrush and be gentle so as not to irritate your gums. Even light, quick brushing can help to remove bad breath caused by the food you just ate. Brush regularly before bed and when waking up in the morning.Floss your teeth. Food particles, bacteria, and plaque can build up in between your teeth and along your gum line. These are more difficult to remove with brushing alone and are often left to sit inside of your mouth for weeks, or however long it takes to floss again. When you do floss, you may notice a terrible smell on your floss and fingers. That is a sign that you are not flossing enough. Do this every day.Use an antiseptic mouthwash. Rinse your mouth at least once a day with an antiseptic mouthwash. This will kill lingering bacteria that can cause a smell or infection.Scrape your tongue. Bacteria can linger on your tongue, and a toothbrush is often unable to remove all of it. This can directly cause bad breath so use a tongue scraper once a day to remove bacteria and the smell.Drink water. Stay hydrated so that your body produces enough saliva to keep your mouth moist and to wash away bacteria.Visit the dentist. It is important that you see your family dentist at least twice a year for teeth cleanings and checkups. We can remove plaque, tartar, and bacteria from your teeth and gums so that you stay healthy, avoid gum disease, and tooth decay.Follow these tips and schedule your teeth cleaning in order to prevent bad breath so that you can speak with confidence.[recent-blogs count=4 layout="horizontal" category="family-dentist-cat,kid-friendly-dentist-cat,pediatric-dentist-cat,emergency-dentist-cat,preventative-dental-care-cat,routine-dental-care-cat"]