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There are a number of reasons for bad breath, these include:
A comprehensive oral hygiene regime is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh. If this does not solve the problem then your dentist can discuss further options. The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and tooth decay. Visiting your dentist regularly will not only help you to achieve fresher breath, but will also allow the dentist to check for and treat gum disease and tooth decay.
Lots of small signals can show that you have bad breath. Have you noticed people stepping away when you start to talk? If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Simply lick the inside of your unscented wrist and sniff – if the smell is bad, you can be pretty sure that your breath is too. Or, ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest, but do make sure they are a true friend.
Gum disease is the most likely cause for bad breath. It is caused by the bacteria present in plaque (the soft deposits that build up on your teeth) and tartar (calcified plaque). Your dentist will be able to assess the health of your gums during a routine examination and determine if this is the cause. You may then be advised to see the hygienist for a number of appointments. She/he will treat the problem by removing the soft and hard deposits from your teeth and help teach you the best way to look after your mouth. Contact us to arrange an appointment and see if we can help.
To keep your breath fresh, gum disease (if present) must be treated and an effective oral hygiene regime adopted. Also, drink water often and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables.
If you do have bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you are taking, which could be adding to the problem. Take this diary to your dentist who may be able to suggest ways to resolve your bad breath.
Brush your teeth, and gums twice a day, and don’t forget to brush your tongue as well (tongue scrapers can be found of the back of many manual toothbrushes). Use dental floss once a day for cleaning between your teeth. There are other products you can buy to clean between your teeth. These are called ‘interdental cleaners’. If you wear dentures, take them out at night to give your mouth a chance to rest.
There are many specialised oral care products available, which come as toothpaste, oral rinse and in a spray. Using these will help you clean your teeth, give you fresher breath and the confidence to keep you smiling all day long. These products are designed to eliminate, not mask, odour-causing compounds. Ask your dentist for details. The specialist products contain a safe, effective, antibacterial formula to fight plaque and, as part of a daily oral hygiene programme, will help keep your mouth healthy, clean and fresh.
Mouth Rinses
We recommend alcohol free mouthwash (flavoured or non-flavoured). Rinse with 10ml for 1 minute twice daily and do not rinse afterwards with water. Most mouth rinses are designed to last up to eight hours.
Oral sprays
Are convenient for your pocket, handbag, car or whenever you are away from the bathroom and want reassurance of fresh breath.
Toothpaste
Brands with a gritty consistency help to remove more plaque/tartar. Purchase those with a minimum fluoride content of 1450ppm of Fluoride to ensure prevention of decay.
Sugar Free Chewing Gum
Chewing gum helps to stimulate saliva flow which reduces bad breath. It also leaves a minty fresh smell.
Even in the cleanest mouth, odour-causing molecules known as Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSC) are constantly being produced by the natural breakdown of bacteria, human cells and food debris. Regular use of dental cleaning products will help to eliminate these VSCs.
Bad breath can also be caused by some medical problems. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition that affects the flow of saliva. This causes bacteria to build up in the mouth, leading to bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by some medicines, salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Also, older people naturally produce less saliva.
If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may be able to recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product or suggest other ways of dealing with the problem. Other medical conditions that cause bad breath include infections in the throat, nose or lungs, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes or liver or kidney problems. If your dentist finds that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family GP or a specialist to find out the cause of your bad breath. Only 10% of bad breath problems originate from outside the mouth.
Tobacco also causes its own form of bad breath. The only solution in this case is to stop smoking. As well as making your breath smell, smoking causes staining, loss of taste and Gum disease. People who smoke are more likely to suffer from gum disease and also have a greater risk of developing cancer of the mouth, lung cancer and heart disease. Ask your dentist, pharmacist or practice nurse for help in quitting. If you do stop smoking, but still have bad breath, then you need to see your dentist or GP for advice.
Chances are we all know someone who has bad breath, but very few people feel brave enough to discuss the problem. It is obviously a very delicate matter to tell someone they have bad breath. There is always the risk that they will be offended or embarrassed and may never speak to you again! However, it is always worth remembering that the bad breath may be the result of any number of problems.
Once the person knows they have bad breath, they can deal with whatever is causing it. You could try talking to their partner or a family member, as the bad breath may be caused by a medical condition, which is already being treated. You may like to print off this page and leave it where the person in question is likely to see it. Remember, the bad news is that oral malodour is a serious social plight and can sometimes be an indication that there is something medically amiss. The good news, however, is that it is treatable!
