It’s no secret that wearing braces can come with many challenges. One of these challenges is bad breath. If you’ve been struggling with bad breath since getting braces, you’re definitely not alone. This issue can be both frustrating and embarrassing, right?
Unfortunately, the brackets and wires in your mouth can easily trap food particles, leading to bad breath.
The good news? There are effective solutions to this common problem, such as practicing mouth taping, dental hygiene practices, and other lifestyle changes that can help to reduce bacterial growth and odor.
In this article, we explore the practical ways to prevent bad breath with braces to help you live life more confidently. Let’s dive in!
What Causes Bad Breath with Braces?
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is a common issue for those with braces due to an increased accumulation of food particles, plaque, and bacteria in the mouth.
You see, braces can create small crevices where food can easily get stuck, leading to a buildup of bacteria.
This bacteria produces sulfur compounds that are responsible for bad smelling breath.
Other factors like dry mouth, caused by mouth breathing or dehydration, can also contribute to bad breath by reducing the flow of saliva, which is needed to clean your mouth and keep it at the right pH to prevent the overgrowth of bacteria.
6 Ways to Prevent Bad Breath with Braces
Maintaining fresh breath while wearing braces doesn’t have to be difficult. By implementing a few simple strategies, you can keep your breath smelling fresh all day long.
Here are some of our favorite tips:
1. Mouth Taping
Mouth taping is an effective method to prevent bad breath, especially for those who tend to breathe through their mouth during sleep.
Mouth breathing can dry out your mouth, reducing saliva production and allowing bacteria to flourish. (1)
Saliva plays a super essential role in washing away food particles and neutralizing acids produced by bacteria. When you breathe through your nose, you maintain a better environment for saliva production.
So by gently taping your mouth shut, you encourage nasal breathing, which helps maintain proper moisture levels in the mouth, preventing bad breath. (2)
Mouth taping also improves overall oral health by reducing the risk of cavities and gum disease, which can also cause bad breath. You might also be interested to learn about the amazing benefits of mouth taping for sleep.
Want to choose the best mouth tape for sleeping? It’s essential to choose a high-quality product, such as Dream Recovery Mouth Tape, which is made from organic bamboo silk and a specialized hypoallergenic adhesive that’s both gentle on skin yet strong enough to stay on all night.
Banish bad breath with Dream Recovery Mouth Tape.
2. Brush Your Teeth and Floss Regularly
Brush twice a day is essential to remove food particles and bacteria from around your braces. Use a soft bristle toothbrush and toothpaste with anti-bacterial herbal extracts to gently clean your teeth and brackets (try to prevent scrubbing, which can negatively impact your gum health!).
Flossing with braces is equally important, as it helps to remove food stuck between both your teeth, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and bad breath while wearing braces. Try to floss every evening before brushing your teeth - it’s worth it!
3. Drinking Plenty of Water
Staying hydrated is crucial for preventing bad breath. Water not only helps to rinse away food particles but it also keeps your mouth moist, which is essential for saliva production!
Saliva usually acts as one of your body’s natural defenses against bad breath, since it helps to neutralize acids and wash away bacteria. (3)
Therefore, drinking enough water throughout the day can help to prevent bad breath. Try to aim for around 8-10 glasses per day (this can also include unsweetened herbal teas).
4. Avoiding Sugary and Sticky Foods
Sugary and sticky foods can cling to your braces, creating the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.
Avoid these types of foods to prevent bad breath and protect your teeth from decay.
Eating a diet that mostly consists of unprocessed wholefoods, should be quite easy to clean off of your braces.
5. Regular Dental Appointments
Ensuring you see your dentist regularly is important to check for tooth decay, and gum disease, as well as for scheduling deeper cleanings with a hygienist.
Cavities, gum infections, and plaque buildup are all linked to bad breath, so visiting your dentist and hygienist on a regular basis can help you to prevent bad breath associated with these factors.
6. Breath Mints and Mouth Wash
The quickest way to freshen bad breath is with a little help from breath mints and mouthwash.
Keep some breath mints in your bag for moments when you need a little refreshing, preferably ones that are sugar-free and made with xylitol (a natural sweetener that’s been associated with better oral health). (4)
Not only can the minty scent help to mask bad breath but the act of sucking or chewing on a breath mint can actually help to increase saliva production, improving bad breath in the long run too.
Mouthwash can also help to reduce bad breath by washing away food particles and killing off odor-causing bacteria. Opt for an alcohol-free solution to help protect the good bacteria that make up a healthy part of your oral microbiome!
7. Use a Tongue Scraper
Using a tongue scraper is a great way to prevent bad breath with braces.
Have you ever noticed a white or yellow coating on your tongue? This consists of bacteria, dead cells, and food debris - all of which can lead to bad breath.
By cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraping device, you can remove some of these odor-causing particles from the surface of your tongue to help prevent bad breath and improve your oral health.
FAQs
Why does my breath smell bad with braces?
Your breath smells bad with braces because food particles can get trapped in the brackets and wires, which can lead to a buildup of bacteria that produces bad smelling sulfur compounds.
Why does my braces wire stink?
Your braces wire might stink as a result of food and bacteria accumulating around the wire and brackets, leading to the overgrowth of strong smelling bacteria. Proper oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash can help prevent this.
Is it okay to use mouthwash with braces?
Yes, you can absolutely use mouthwash with braces and it’s actually encouraged. Using mouthwash 1-2 times per day can help to wash away food particles and bacteria that might be trapped in your braces.
Can braces make your mouth taste bad?
Yes, braces can make your mouth taste bad. This bad taste can be caused by an overgrowth of bacteria due to food particles getting stuck in between your braces. The braces themselves might also cause a metallic taste due to the materials used.
Can I use breath strips with braces?
Yes, you can use breath strips with braces. While breath strips won’t get to the root cause of bad breath, they can offer a quick solution to temporarily freshen your breath.
Final Thoughts: How to Avoid Bad Breath With Braces
Bad breath with braces is a common but manageable issue. You can keep your breath fresh by practicing good oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and staying hydrated. Mouth taping at night can also help by promoting nasal breathing, preventing dry mouth, and improving healthy saliva production.
With these simple strategies, you can reap the benefits of having braces without the worry of bad breath.
References:
-
Verma, M., Seto-Poon, M., Wheatley, J. R., Amis, T. C., & Kirkness, J. P. (2006). Influence of breathing route on upper airway lining liquid surface tension in humans. The Journal of physiology, 574(Pt 3), 859–866. https://doi.org/10.1113/jphysiol.2005.102129
- Uchida, H., & Ovitt, C. E. (2022). Novel impacts of saliva with regard to oral health. The Journal of prosthetic dentistry, Orthodontics. 127(3), 383–391. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prosdent.2021.05.009
- Ship, J. A., & Fischer, D. J. (1997). The relationship between dehydration and parotid salivary gland function in young and older healthy adults. The journals of gerontology. Series A, Biological sciences and medical sciences, 52(5), M310–M319. https://doi.org/10.1093/gerona/52a.5.m310
- Nayak, P. A., Nayak, U. A., & Khandelwal, V. (2014). The effect of xylitol on dental caries and oral flora. Clinical, cosmetic and investigational dentistry, 6, 89–94. https://doi.org/10.2147/CCIDE.S55761