When it comes to basic hygiene, there are few things as treatable as bad breath–yet people go about their daily lives with it all the time! 

Luckily, these simple steps can help keep your breath smelling minty and fresh.

Brush Twice A Day

We can all remember the different bits of advice our mothers instilled in us, but few are more memorable than “brush twice a day, honey!” The truth is: they were right. Clearing the acid build up in your mouth and removing the stuck and leftover food particles helps reduce bad breath-causing germs. Only brushing once in the morning allows 24 hours for those smelly germs to wreak havoc in your mouth.

Use Mouthwash

In order to maximize oral health, it’s important to pair your twice-daily brushings and flossing with the use of mouthwash. Mouthwash helps maintain fresh breath and strong teeth as well as improve the hygiene level in your mouth.

Avoid Caffeine And Soda

Our teeth contain microscopic pits that are susceptible to becoming stained by the food and beverages we consume. Drinks such as coffee and soda tend to make the teeth yellowish and are even capable of causing lasting damage.

Eat Fibrous Fruits And Vegetables

The soluble and insoluble fibers found in fruits such as apples and carrots are a great way to clean your mouth. Providing a scrub for your teeth, these fruits’ fibers also lead to the secretion of saliva, helping rinse food particles and germs from your teeth.

Eat Cheese

The Academy of General Dentistry conducted a study that found that eating cheese can lower the chances of getting cavities while strengthening tooth enamel. In addition to these benefits, cheese is a great source of calcium and protein.

Along with these steps, it is important to continue seeing a dentist on a regular basis, hydrating yourself properly (bad breath often stems from a dehydrated mouth), and making sure your body is getting proper nutrients.