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Oral Care Tips: Natural Ways to Fight Bad Breath

oral-care-tips-natural-ways-to-fight-bad-breath

In providing Senior Home Care in Burlington, Vermont, we strive to extend the level of care to your loved ones. We help seniors care for themselves, including their basic hygiene needs.

Now, have you heard of the word “halitosis”? Perhaps not, but surely, you must have experienced it in your lifetime. Halitosis is the medical equivalent for bad breath. It’s a bad hygiene condition that doesn’t put anyone in a better self-esteem position. Halitosis occurs because of the accumulation of bacteria in the mouth from the food and drinks we take. When these are cleaned out properly, bad breath will not result.

Thankfully, bad breath can be overcome with natural means. With assistance from a home health aide in Vermont, the oral care needs of your aging loved one will always be kept in check.

Let us share with you these natural ways to overcome halitosis:

  • If you’re wearing dentures, ensure that they are removed at night. Clean your dentures so that they can be cleared of the buildup of bacteria, which are caused by the food and drinks you consume.
  • Reduce dry mouth by drinking a sufficient amount of water (4-8 glasses per day). Bacteria thrive more in a dry mouth but when you are hydrated, the breeding ground is minimized.
  • After eating, brush your teeth to remove food residue (paying close attention to your gum-line). To ensure thorough cleaning, floss after brushing. The minimum number of times to brush your teeth is twice a day.
  • Make sure your toothbrush is replaced at least every two months. This cleaning device can also be the host for the bacterial breeding ground.
  • Schedule for regular dental checkups and cleaning. Twice a year is the minimum requirement.
  • Every morning, scrape off your tongue using a scraper or spoon so that the odor-causing bacteria can be reduced.
  • Chew any of the following to decrease the bad odor within the day:
    • Cloves, Anise Seeds, or Fennel Seeds: they have antiseptic properties
    • Orange rind or a piece of lemon: for a burst of fresh flavor
    • Fresh basil, parsley, or mint leaves: these are good neutralizers of unpleasant odor
  • Right after brushing teeth, gargle with alcohol-free mouthwash, to supplement the thorough cleansing of your mouth. Gargle for as long as 30 seconds.

Your loved one may be staying alone at home most part of the day, but this doesn’t mean that they’re unattended for. Our providers of home care services can assist their basic care needs so that even with their oral health, they can still be well taken care of. At TLC HomeCare, we have home care staff who are experienced in the field and are able to assist the needs of your family member according to their specific personal care needs.

If you would like help in caring for an elderly loved one at home, request for our assessment so that we can determine what specific care needs we can provide. Every person has unique needs, and this includes your aging beloved. Contact us to know more about our services.