Bad Breath
More than just embarrassing
Bad breath or halitosis is actually very common, and usually the person with it is unaware they even have it. Nevertheless, the bad breath cure is effective and relatively fuss-free.
In 90% of cases, bad breath is generated in the mouth, where bacteria produce gases which tend to smell like rotten eggs. These bacteria often hide in the areas that you miss when you clean your teeth, as well as on the back of your tongue.
Smoking is another prime culprit – by drying your mouth it makes the odour worse and also builds-up harmful tar and nicotine inside your mouth.
The Halitosis Cure
Our expert fresh breath clinic
Under our care, we will investigate your mouth, diagnose the exact cause of your bad breath and show you exactly how to tackle it as part of your regular routine. If gum disease is the cause of halitosis, our expert dental hygienists will clean the pockets between your teeth and gums to remove the ingrained bacteria.
The first thing we advise for bad breath treatment is that you brush and floss thoroughly to remove the bacteria that are producing the halitosis gases. You should also clean your tongue using your toothbrush or a special scraper.
We further suggest you use a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide, since this will break down the gases that cause bad breath.
It is best to use these mouthwashes just before you go to sleep and make sure you gargle for at least 30 seconds to ensure you rinse all the parts of your mouth thoroughly.
Do not waste your money on the normal, mediocre mouthwashes, because some of these contain alcohol which will merely dry the mouth, making the odour worse.
Is halitosis the same as when people have garlic or onion breath?
How can I be certain I have halitosis?
Since it is almost impossible to smell your own bad breath, simply ask a friend or family member. Alternatively, you can try two simple tests. Firstly, take a piece of unwaxed, unflavoured floss and move it between one of your back teeth – wait 30 seconds and then smell it to see if the odour is bad. Secondly, lick your wrist, wait a short while and then smell it to test the odour.
Cleaning Your Dentures
Can Bad Breath Signal Underlying Health Problems?
Yes, persistent bad breath may be a by-product of other medical conditions. Slightly fruity breath that isn’t wholly pleasant or offensive is a tell-tale sign of diabetes, while a strong, ammonia scent has been linked to kidney disease.
Periodontal diseases like gingivitis can cause bad breath because of the presence of excess bacteria in the mouth. And dry mouth, which causes a decrease in saliva, leaves your mouth unable to naturally flush bacteria and food particles from your teeth and gums before they break down and start to decay.
If you’re worried your bad breath might be a sign of a bigger issue, or if you’re just unable to control it yourself by brushing, flossing and rinsing, talk to us and we can help you.
Is There a Bad Breath Home Remedy?
Contrary to what you may have heard, there is no home remedy that can eliminate bad breath. While mints and mouthwash might conceal bad breath for a while, the problem will return once these wear off. To eliminate bad breath, you have to eliminate the bacteria that are causing it in the first place. This means improving your oral hygiene. It can also mean drinking more water to flush away bacteria and keep your mouth from getting dry.
When to come and see us
If you suffer from chronic bad breath, consider your oral hygiene habits and make some targeted lifestyle changes. Brush your tongue and teeth after eating, drink plenty of water and use dental floss. If these steps aren’t enough, make an appointment to see a dentist. If he or she determines that your bad breath is caused by bacterial buildup, the dentist may recommend an oral rinse and/or toothpaste that contain an antibacterial agent.
If your dentist determines that gum disease is the cause of your bad breath, he or she may refer you to a periodontist, who can perform a professional cleaning to remove bacteria from pockets in your gums. Your dentist may also recommend replacing failing tooth restorations, which can act as breeding grounds for bacteria. If, on the other hand, your dentist suspects that a health condition might be causing your halitosis, he or she may refer you to a doctor, who can run tests to determine the underlying cause of your problem.
When you visit your dentist for an evaluation, avoid wearing perfume, scented lotion or lipstick to your appointment, since these could all mask any odors. You should also notify your dentist if you have taken any antibiotic medications within the past several weeks. Finally, consider scheduling your appointment in the morning, before you’ve had a chance to eat any foods which might make it hard for your dentist to isolate the cause of your bad breath.
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