Have you started to notice a certain annoyance when you put on your facemask to go to the store?  Well, most likely you have if you are living in 2020 and in the United States.  The regulations put in place by our states due to the COVID-19 Pandemic have changed a lot of ways we do things and it has put most of us on notice that our dental health may not be as good as we once thought.  In fact, most people are starting to feel like they have some major dental issues and are starting to visit their dentists more this year than any other.  Many of their problems are not halitosis and the major reason they are smelling bad breath is that they are probably just not brushing enough or doing it the correct way.  Wel all know what we are supposed to do but the truth is that most Americans fall very short of the actual amount of brushing we are supposed to do.  So today I want to go over just the basics of dental healthcare so we can all succeed this 2020 and have better-smelling facemasks.

The first thing we all need to do is make an honest assessment of our dental health.  If we are keeping up with the national standards then that is great.  Then we can go from the basics and maybe add a few things into our daily routine to step up our game even more.  Then we can start to rock even more preventative dental health and hopefully lower our need for dental procedures in the future.  But on the other hand, if we are not doing a good job on a daily basis then we need to probably start small and work out way up.  That means honestly take an account of each time you brushed your teeth last week and how you actually did it.  The vast majority of Americans are once a day brushers and for only thirty seconds or so.  If this is you or you brush even less then it is most likely the main issue for your bad-smelling breath.

Before we go on, if you are in this boat you need to make an appointment with your dentist.  The truth is you may have halitosis or even other dental issues that you need to check on to make sure your health is taken care of. There is no point in guessing when it comes to your health and you should have a doctor go through your mouth and see if you are ok or even to give you a specific plan for your dental health.  That would be the best thing to do and it may even save your life. 

One way or the other it is important to get into a good habit of brushing your teeth at least twice a day.  The American Dental Association says that you should strive to brush twice a day or even three times a day for two minutes brushing.  That allows your mouth to be free of most acids, plaque buildup, and food particles that are eroding your teeth and gums.  So make sure to get into a habit of this first and if you have to set alarms on the phone to do it so be it.  That is the best way to fight the bad smells and get on track!