Dentist shares ‘lifechanging’ advice of how to fix bad breath even after brushing your teeth

A dentist claims she has three ‘life-changing tips’ to help get rid of bad breath.

Dr. Shaadi Manouchehri, from Marylebone’s Smart Dental & Aesthetics, told over 10 million viewers on TikTok that we all have bad breath at times, but people might not tell you because they ‘love you too much and don’t want to bother you’.

Bad breath can be caused by a surprising number of things, including many that have little or nothing to do with how well you brush your pearly whites.

The dentist began: ‘There is no shame, no embarrassment in having stinky breath. We all have it at some point in our lives and that’s what you have to do.’

However, she emphasized that these tips should be followed along with regular brushing, rather than instead of it.

“Cleaning your tongue is the most important thing you can do,” began Dr. Manouchehri.

‘The bacteria that cause bad breath is on our tongue and if you look at your tongue right now, it’s probably coated in something white if you haven’t brushed it.’

She added that a toothbrush is not ideal for this job, with a metal horseshoe-shaped tongue scraper preferable.

A 2004 study published in a American Academy of Periodontology journal suggests that this method is 30 percent more effective than using a toothbrush on the tongue.

The other important piece of advice was to stay hydrated.

Dr. Manouchehri explained that when you are dehydrated, sulfur compounds form in your mouth and make your breath smell ‘really bad’.

Things that dehydrate you, such as drinking tea or coffee or smoking, can all indirectly cause bad breath if you don’t offset them by drinking more water.

She added: ‘It’s not just drinking water that’s important, it’s also sipping water throughout the day to keep your mouth lubricated and stimulate saliva – which will help improve breath freshness.’

Last on the list of tips was flossing.

Regarding, she explained that brushing without flossing ‘can actually be pushing food between the contacts of the teeth’.

Dr. Manouchehri encouraged flossing — or using an interdental brush — once, ideally twice, each day.