National Fresh Breath Day

Did you know that August 6th is National Fresh Breath Day?

Celebrate and prevent bad breath with these easy tips:

Illustration of a tooth surrounded by a toothbrush, dental floss, toothpaste and mouthwash. These are all components needed to care for the tooth.

Good daily habits: we can’t say it enough – brushing daily for 2 minutes and flossing once a day is really the golden rule for keeping everything in your mouth healthy, and it results in better breath! In particular, flossing is key to fresh breath because it removes particles of food from between your teeth so that bad-breath-causing bacteria won’t develop.

illustration of a toothbrush being applied to the tongue to clean it and remove bacteria, ensuring fresh breath.

Clean your tongue: you can use your toothbrush to brush the surface of your tongue to remove bacteria, or you can buy a tongue scraping tool specifically for this purpose. Bad breath often originates on the tongue, so be sure to clean it thoroughly along with your teeth.

Mouthwash: mouthwashes or rinses that are antibacterial help prevent bad breath by getting rid of bad bacteria that can build up and cause plaque.

Illustration of a hand holding a glass filling with tap water alongside a green checkmark of approval.

Water: it works wonders when it comes to your oral health! Water helps keep your mouth clear of leftover food and sugar. It prevents dry mouth and keeps your whole body hydrated.

An illustration of two green sticks of gum stacked on top of and crossing one another. Mint leaves behind the gum to indicate the minty taste

Gum: as long as it’s sugar free! Some nice, minty gum can give you a fresh boost at any time during your day. Just make sure it doesn’t contain sugar or you are inviting those bad sugar-loving bacteria right back in to stink up the place.

Illustration of a pack of cigarettes and a can of chewing tobacco with a red crossed circle over the top to indicate they should be avoided

Avoid smoking or vaping, chewing, and all other forms of tobacco: it dries out your mouth and leaves an unpleasant smell behind. If you would like resources for quitting, click here.

Illustration of a medical professional wearing a lab coat and stethoscope. He is smiling and holding up a toothbrush and a tube of toothpaste.

See your dentist: your dental team is there to help with all of your oral health concerns, including your breath. They can provide any additional care or information you might need to get back to feeling fresh!

This information in this post is for general educational purposes only and does not warrant or represent any information as related to health as specifically appropriate for you. It is not intended to be medical advice or replace the relationship that you have with your health care providers. You should always seek medical advice on any diagnosis or treatment from a qualified health care provider. The information is provided “as is” without any representations or warranties, express or implied.

Cindy McGregor, DDS

Dr. Cindy McGregor is the Vice President of Dental Services at Delta Dental of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor is a 1998 graduate of the University of Minnesota-School of Dentistry. She has been a hygiene instructor and practiced in both a small and large group practices in the Metropolitan area of Minnesota. Dr. McGregor has been a member of the Minnesota Dental Association as well as the American Dental Association for over 25 years.