What's that SMELL? BAD BREATH (Halitosis) is caused by plaque bacteria in your mouth.
YOU can remove the plaque bacteria by Brushing your teeth and tongue AND flossing.
Bad Breath may also be caused by:
not drinking enough water
smoking & chewing tobacco
some foods
some illness like ulcers or a sore throat
Breath mints, chewing gum and mouthwashes only cover up bad breath for a short time .. they don't CURE it.
Regular brushing and flossing clear up most cases of bad breath.
If you have bad breath that won't go away, talk to your dentist or dental hygienist.
Do you have Gum Disease (gingivitis)? It can happen at any age. Early warning signs include:
red or swollen gums
gums may be tender
bleeding when you brush or floss
bad breath
Checklist for a healthy smile... what YOU do and do not do is important!
Eat Intelligently!
Life can be busy so choose fresh fruits and vegetables instead of junk foods when you eat on the run. Limit snacking
Practice Good Prevention!
Brush twice a day using a fluoride toothpaste.
Floss once a day.
Keep up with your dental check-ups!
Tooth cleanings, fluoride treatments and sealants are important to help prevent dental problems.
Don't smoke or chew tobacco!
The warnings you hear and read about are true. Besides lung and heart problems, tobacco can cause oral cancers.
Wear a Mouth Guard for SPORTS or activities in which your mouth can be hit!
Toothbrushing made easy...
Brush morning and night with a small, soft toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste.
Place your toothbrush where your teeth and gums meet. Gently move the toothbrush in small circles.
Brush outside surfaces...
brush inside surfaces...
and chewing surfaces.
Don't rush the brush - It takes time to reach all the tooth surfaces in your mouth.
PLUS... Brushing really fast won't let the toothbrush bristles reach tricky areas in and around your teeth.
Flossing how to...
Floss once a day to remove the plaque from between your teeth.
Flossing gets easier the more you do it. Keep at it!
Wind 30 cm of floss around your two middle fingers 
then use your index fingers and thumbs to direct the floss between teeth
Carefully guide the floss between teeth. Gently move the floss up and down in a C-shape against the side of one tooth to remove plaque and debris. Then make a C-shape with floss against the side of the other tooth.Use a fresh section of floss as you move from tooth to tooth.
