Whilst bad breath can be an embarrassing condition, almost everyone is going to experience it at some point in their life. Halitosis, ‘bad breath’, can be caused by several factors, but controlling it can be simple in most cases. Sometimes, the causes may require greater intervention, however, below are some of the more common ways of treating halitosis.
Oral Hygiene
One of the most common causes of bad breath is due to skipping regular oral hygiene. Brushing and flossing your teeth is not only to ensure your teeth stay strong and healthy, it also prevents halitosis. Brushing and flossing remove the bacteria, but if you find that you are still struggling with bad breath, rinsing your mouth with mouthwash afterwards could help, but remember that mouth wash is not a substitute for proper cleaning. Another step that people often forget is to also clean your tongue. You can just use your toothbrush to give your tongue a quick brush or you can purchase a tongue cleaner to do the job. It’s also good to note that you should be replacing your toothbrush every 3 months to keep them fresh and doing the right job!
Hydrate
A dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath, so make sure you’re drinking plenty of water throughout the day. This encourages the production of saliva, which helps kill off bacteria, reducing bad breath.
Diet
As with many aspects of your overall health, your diet contributes a lot to your oral health. Bad breath is often linked with strong flavours. Some of the culprits include onion and garlic, which are made up of sulphuric compounds which can make their way into your bloodstream and come out in your breath and sweat! Unfortunately, coffee is also a classic offender when it comes to causing bad breath, especially if you enjoy a milky coffee! Caffeine is also high in sulphuric compounds and limits the production of saliva.
Bad Habits
Alcohol can also contribute to bad breath. Alcohol is converted into acetic acid, which goes into your body and leaves through your breath and sweat. It’s easy to work out which drinks will have a bigger impact on your breath based on their original scent- the stronger the smell, the more it’ll impact your breath. Smoking causes what has become known as “smokers breath”. This is due to smoke particles being left in the throat and lungs. There are lots of chemicals in tobacco and these will linger in the mouth after smoking. As we mentioned, dehydration triggers bad breath, and as we know, smoking dried out the mouth. Finally, smoking can cause gum disease as over the years tartar builds up on the teeth.
Dentures
If you have dentures or Invisalign, you would be aware of the fact that they need to be cleaned often. This isn’t just to ensure that they’re going to last as long as possible, but it can also prevent bad breath. By ensuring that your dentures or Invisalign are clean, you are removing the bacteria that can build up in them, and in return, they won’t get bacteria on your teeth.
Go to the Dentist
Finally, make sure you are going to the dentist at least once a year. Here we can check your teeth, make sure they’re healthy and strong. If you’re concerned that your bad breath is a deeper issue, we can examine and provide solutions for you.