Bad Breath?

06 Mar Bad Breath?

Frequently asked questions about bad breath?

1. What is bad breath?
2. How common is bad breath?
3. How to prevent bad breath?

1. What is bad breath?

Bad breath, or the medical term Halitosis, can be caused by a range of factors including:

• Poor oral hygiene
• Food
• Bacteria
• Dry mouth
• Smoking/Tobacco
• Gastric Reflux
• Diabetes
• Gum disease

Bacteria within your mouth are comprised of an equilibrium of “good bacteria” and “bad bacteria”. After eating or drinking, especially sugar-rich food, the bacteria within your mouth feed on this sugar and create a by-product of plaque.

This plaque is normally removed with brushing twice a day and interdental cleaning daily. 

When this does not occur and oral hygiene is poor, it can lead to a build-up of plaque which causes bad breath.

Sugary foods will lead to more “bad bacteria” growing within your mouth and a greater risk of smelly breath.

Medical conditions which involve reduced saliva flow, acidity within the mouth, gastric illness and many others can have a side-effect of bad breath – it is important to talk to your GP for halitosis side effects.

2. How common is bad breath?

Halitosis affects 1 in 4 people, it is very common! Everyone will suffer from bad breath at some point during their life!

Speak to your dentist if you are concerned that you have bad breath!

3. How to prevent bad breath?

Halitosis can be prevented by keeping your mouth, teeth, and tongue clean, as well as reducing the amount and frequency of sugary food and drink consumption and quitting smoking. 

You can help treat and prevent bad breath at home by:

• brushing twice a day, for 2 minutes each time
• using fluoride toothpaste
• interdental cleaning with interdental brushes or floss once a day
• fluoride mouthwash
• regular dental check-ups and professional cleaning
• thoroughly cleaning removable appliances (dentures, retainers, mouthguards, splints)
• thoroughly cleaning around fixed appliances (braces, restorations such as bridges)
• clean your tongue
• quit smoking
• reduce sugary foods and drinks
• do not have anything to eat or drink for at least 1 hour before bed (except water)
• drink water before going to bed and when you wake up in the night
• see your GP if you think there may be a medical condition causing halitosis

If you would like more information about how halitosis, or if you would like to book an appointment with one of our dentists, why not give us a call on 01772 335207 or fill out the contact form and we will be in touch.