By Tim Branch

Bad breath is not exactly everyone’s favorite topic to discuss, but it is a fact of life. Contrary to what we’ve been told by numerous commercials, popping a breath mint or swishing mouthwash may not always be the best answer. Mints may temporarily mask the problem but they wear off quickly. Fortunately, Dr. Singh, Clinical Director of Arch Dental Associates, has a few surprising tips on preventing bad breath on the spot and for the long run.

INSTANTLY CORRECT BAD BREATH

• Eliminate bad breath immediately by eating an ORANGE. The citric acid stimulates the salivary glands and encourages the flow of breath-freshening saliva
• Fearing after-dinner stale breath?: Order the CHEESE plate instead of dessert: Not only does the bacteria in cheese combat bad breath, you get a giant boost of calcium
• Don’t have a toothbrush handy? CELERY, CARROTS, and APPLES contain fibers that get into the crevices between teeth and clean them by acting like miniature toothbrushes
• Best meal for your teeth: A SALAD with Greek yogurt dressing . . . salads require plenty of chewing, which promotes saliva production, and the fibers in the salad leaves sweep the teeth clean.  The yogurt dressing fights bad breath.

LONGER-TERM BREATH MANAGEMENT

• EAT YOGURT. – Studies have shown that the active bacteria in yogurt, specifically Streptococcus thermophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, may have a beneficial effect on odor-causing bacteria in the mouth.
• BRUSH AND FLOSS DAILY. You may be feeling lazy but this is an absolute must! Plaque and bacteria that accumulates on your teeth and under your gumline may be the underlying cause of odor. Also be sure to visit your dentist twice a year for a checkup and professional cleaning.
• STOP SMOKING or chewing tobacco-based products. Need I say more?
• AVOID BAD BREATH FOODS- Coffee, onions, pretzels, and garlic all affect your breath.

ABOUT DR. SINGH

The founder and CEO of Arch Dental Associates, Dr. Singh specializes in implant, sedation and restorative dentistry, dental sleep medicine and facial aesthetics. In addition to overseeing his three premier New York dental practices in Manhattan, Huntington and Garden City, Dr. Singh is an attending doctor and serves as faculty at LIJ/NS University Hospital in the Department of Dental Medicine and Oral Surgery. He is the author of the bestselling book Atlas of Oral Implantology and an editor of the prestigious “Journal of Oral Implantology.”  He is a board examiner for the American Board of Oral Implantology and one of fewer than 100 dentists worldwide who are dual diplomate in Implant Dentistry. He has also served as associate professor in the International Dental Program at NYU College of Dentistry.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, November 7th, 2012 at 12:45 pm and is filed under Health & Fitness, Vol. 30. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.