Do you feel like you take great care of your teeth- but cannot seem to kick bad breath? We were provided the following tips from NYC dentist Dr. Lee Gause, DDS of the Smile Design Manhattan.

Dr. Lee Gause's Tips For Avoiding Bad Breath
· Flossing is essential to good hygiene and imperative to avoiding bad breath.
· Not skipping meals is key. Eating helps get rid of bacteria on the tongue and stimulates the washing action of saliva that helps avoid bad breath.
· Constant snacking is bad for oral hygiene and breath since your saliva doesn’t have time in between meals to wash away food naturally.
· Mints add fuel to the fire by increasing the amount of sugar in solution in the mouth which literally feeds the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Dr. Lee Gause's Tips For Treating Bad Breath
· After eating, clean the mouth by brushing or rinsing with mouthwash to help prevent bad breath.
· Drink water regularly- this helps saliva to wash away bacteria.
· Regular cleanings with a dentist or dental hygienist are mandatory. Try to visit the dentist twice a year to maximize prevention.
· Sugarless gums, like Trident, Dentyne, or Orbitz are actually good for teeth. These chewing gums increase salivary flow which has a bathing or cleansing effect on the teeth. However, be careful! Excessive gum chewing can cause TMJ (Tempromandibular Joint) pain and clicking.
· Most people don't know that there is more than one kind of dental cleaning. If a person has persistent halitosis a deep cleaning (usually takes 2 to 4 visits and requires numbing) may be needed to remove tartar under the gums