Common Causes Of Bad Breath
The technical name for bad breath is Halitosis. This is a relatively common oral condition but can cause considerable distress for some people. It is not contagious however it can be caused by some underlying disease or infection, so it is important to visit your Dentist or your Doctor.
So, what causes bad breath and how can we manage it effectively?
Bad breath is often a temporary condition particularly when it is caused by the following factors:
- Poor Diet and Poor Dental Health – Teeth with a lot of plaque and without any flossing will create a bad odour and is one of the most common causes of bad breath.
- Smoking – Nicotine permeates the soft tissues of the mouth and sticks to the surfaces of the teeth.
- Alcohol – Excessive consumption causes dehydration and “ketone breath”, a bad odour produced as alcohol is metabolised by the body
- Mouth breathing or Snoring – This causes a very dry mouth which aids in the proliferation of odour producing bacteria
- Dehydration – Not drinking enough water is a very common cause of bad breath
Halitosis or bad breath can be managed in a number of ways and often a combination of bad breath treatments is required.
To resolve your bad breath it is recommended to first try the following bad breath treatments:
- Avoid coffee, alcohol, and odourous foods as much as is possible and stay hydrated throughout the day. Don’t wait until the end of the day to top up your water intake, it is better to sip and drink water throughout the day so it washes over your teeth and washes away food and plaque particles.
- Floss, and brush regularly. It is recommended to brush twice daily and to floss at least once daily. Floss your teeth and smell your floss as this will tell you what your breath smells like. A mouth wash can be beneficial in the short term – such as Savacol, as this will help treat gum disease.
- Clean the back of the tongue. The tongue is a common place for plaque to stick, particularly at the back of the tongue, so brush the tongue each night to keep it clean.
- It is important to make sure you have no old fillings that are leaking around the edges, and no infected root canals.
- It is also important to ensure you do not have gum disease, and if you do have gum disease to ensure you have it treated. Gum disease creates a more persistent bad breath and can require considerable treatment to prevent.
If following these bad breath treatments, your halitosis or bad breath does not resolve it is important to consult with your GP for further assessment.
If you would like further help please call in for a chat or Book Online for a check up and clean.