2 Oral Rinses To Help Prevent Halitosis While Wearing Braces

Braces come with a number of small pockets and gaps where food can easily get trapped for hours or even days at a time. These hard-to-reach areas make it more difficult to clean your teeth efficiently, which could cause you to develop halitosis. Halitosis is also known as bad breath and is usually caused by bad dental care habits. Food that is not thoroughly removed from your mouth and braces will eventually form into bacteria. The bacteria will then release a negative odor. Consistent halitosis can be embarrassing to deal with. Simply brushing your teeth the same way you did when you did not have braces will probably not be sufficient. Luckily, there are a few oral rinses that you can use to prevent the disease from occurring while you wear braces.

Pine and Peppermint Rinse

Pine has long been used on its own as an herbal remedy for pain relief. However, when combined with peppermint, it can be used to soothe some of the toughest coughs. Together the two herbs create an antibacterial powerhouse that can fight off infection and bad bacteria. Creating a rinse using the two herbs will help to kill off the bacteria in your mouth that contributes to halitosis. Start by placing two spoonfuls of dried pine in a small pot. Add a handful of fresh peppermint to this pot and allow it to simmer on low heat. Keep the pot on the stove for at least 15 minutes. Wait for the mixture to cool, then drain the pine and peppermint. Gargle with the rinse for a few minutes before spitting. Use the rinse to clean out all the small grooves around your braces. The pine and peppermint rinse works best when used immediately after eating. While this rinse will help fight off bacteria, you'll probably still want to make sure none of the crushed herb pieces ended up caught in your braces.

Marshmallow Root Rinse

Not to be confused with the marshmallows that you find in hot cocoa, marshmallow root is a powerful antibacterial herb. The herb produces a mucilage that makes it effective in treating sore throats and other areas of inflammation. In addition, the herb's antibacterials help to rid your mouth of harmful bacteria. Place a spoonful of dried marshmallow root in a small cup. Fill the cup with hot water and allow the mixture to sit for a few hours. Once the time has elapsed, gargle the mixture. Concentrate on your tongue area and in between your braces. Work the rinse throughout your mouth in order to dislodge hidden food and kill off any remaining bacteria.

Halitosis can be difficult to get rid of; therefore, add these oral rinses to your dental routine to help eliminate bad breath. If you have further questions about how to maintain your braces or get rid of halitosis, visit a dental clinic.