Tips For Helping Your Teenager Who Suffers From Bad Breath
If your teenager is having a problem with bad breath and is embarrassed about the situation, then there are many things you can do to help improve their breath and restore their self-esteem. While it is very important that you visit your dentist to determine the root cause of the foul odors, here are some tips you can use at home to improve the situation while waiting for a dental appointment:
Tip: Don't Cook Foods that Lead to Offensive Breath Odors
You can help your teenager's breath by not cooking with ingredients that lead to bad breath. Some of the most offensive are:
- garlic
- onions
- horseradish
- curry
In addition, excessive eating of dairy products and seafood can also contribute to bad breath. You should avoid sending your teen to school with tuna sandwiches, for example. Instead, suggest foods like yogurt that will improve breath.
Tip: Encourage Frequent Brushing and Flossing
Since your teenager's breath odors are most likely caused by bacteria that is building up in their mouth, you should encourage them to brush their teeth in the morning, at night before bed, and after each meal. The more frequently they brush, then the better their breath will be. Brushing should include brushing each tooth, the gums, and also their tongue. Once each evening your teen should floss their teeth. The best way to floss is to use dental floss rather than premade dental flossers. Dental floss allows your teen to wrap the floss around each tooth and get into areas that premade flossers will not.
Tip: Provide an Antiseptic Mouthwash
No matter what the root cause of your teenager's bad breath is, they can improve their breath by using an antiseptic mouthwash. While a regular mouthwash quickly freshens breath, one labeled as "antiseptic" will kill more of the bad bacteria in your teen's mouth that is causing their breath odors. Your teen should use this type of mouthwash every time that they brush their teeth.
Tip: Speak to Your Teen's Dentist About the Frequency of Dental Cleanings
Finally, if your teen's bad breath is caused by the beginning stages of periodontal disease, then they may benefit from having more than two dental cleanings each year. When you visit your dentist, ask them if more frequent cleanings would be helpful for your teen's breath issues. Sometimes cleaning teeth every couple of months can greatly improve chronic breath odor problems.
For more information, contact local professionals like Smile Makers Dental.
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