African American woman brushing teeth, looking in mirror, wearing a white robeYou wake up, stretch, and take a deep breath only to be greeted by that unpleasant cloud of morning breath. Why does it happen? According to our Denver, CO, dentists, your mouth becomes a bit of a dry desert during sleep, which reduces saliva production and creates the perfect environment for bacteria to thrive. These bacteria break down food particles and release foul-smelling sulfur compounds, resulting in morning breath that could knock out even the bravest soul.

But don’t worry! Morning breath is a temporary condition that you can easily get rid of. However, if bad breath persists even after brushing and flossing, then you might be dealing with something more serious. Contact Metropolitan Dental Care in Denver, CO, at (303) 534-2626 to get to the bottom of persistent bad breath now.

In today’s blog, our Denver dentists reveal six quick and effective ways to send that morning breath packing so you can start your day feeling fresh.

1. Hydrate First Thing

Before reaching for your coffee, grab a tall glass of water. Drinking water helps kickstart saliva production, which naturally rinses away bacteria and food particles responsible for morning breath. Plus, it hydrates your entire body, giving you an energy boost!

2. Brush and Floss Thoroughly

It’s an obvious one, but you’d be surprised how much of a difference it makes when you brush and floss first thing in the morning

Make sure to clean your tongue, too. Bacteria love to hang out there, contributing to that lingering morning breath. By brushing away those odor-causing culprits, you’ll refresh your entire mouth in minutes.

3. Use a Tongue Scraper

If you haven’t jumped on the tongue-scraping bandwagon yet, now’s the time! The tongue can harbor a surprising amount of bacteria, which only adds to the morning breath issue. A tongue scraper removes this buildup more effectively than brushing alone. With just a few swipes, you’ll notice a fresher mouth and better breath.

4. Chew Sugar-Free Gum

When you’re in a pinch and need a quick fix, sugar-free gum is your best friend. It increases saliva production, which helps neutralize those stinky sulfur compounds causing your morning breath. Plus, the minty flavor will give you an instant burst of freshness.

5. Eat an Apple or Crunchy Veggies

The fibrous texture of apples and other crunchy fruits and veggies helps scrub your teeth and gums while increasing saliva flow. Think of it as a mini-mouth-cleaning session with every bite!

6. Rinse with Mouthwash

For a fast and long-lasting solution, grab some antibacterial mouthwash. Gargling with it for 30 seconds can kill odor-causing bacteria and leave your mouth feeling minty fresh. Just make sure you choose an alcohol-free variety to avoid drying out your mouth, as that can actually make morning breath worse.

Bad Breath Treatment in Denver, CO

With a few quick tricks, you can banish morning breath fast and greet the day with confidence. But if bad breath lingers even after these tricks, then it’s time to contact Metropolitan Dental Care. Our dentists in Denver, CO, can assess your oral health and make recommendations that have a lasting impact. Call us at (303) 534-2626 or reach us online to schedule an appointment now!