Halitosis, commonly known as bad breath, can affect people of all ages. A lot of our patients at Power Dental Practice come in and ask if we have a cure for their bad breath. While it can be temporary and caused by something as simple as food,a pattern of bad breath needs to be addressed, if only for social reasons!
The most common cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene. Thorough brushing and flossing are required to remove food particles remain trapped between the teeth and along the gumline. Left long enough these will lead to gum disease (periodontal disease) which will give more bad breath. Thorough home care and regular professional cleaning at Power Dental Practice will help keep this under control. The bacteria in your mouth break down the particles and release foul-smelling sulfur compounds. Some bacteria release a lot more sulphur than others.
A coated tongue, often due to bacterial buildup, is another major source of odor. Regular cleaning of the tongue, along with proper brushing and flossing,and some mouth rinses can remove many of these suphur-producing bacteria improving your breath. One that we have had good results with at Power Dental Practice has been Closys mouth rinse:
Diet also plays a role. Foods like garlic, onions, and numerous spices are notorious for causing bad breath. Some oils in these foods enter the bloodstream and are exhaled through the lungs. Some bad bacteria (the smelly ones) are encouraged to grow by a diet high in sugar, so reducing the sugar (and “junk foods”) will be a help in combating bad breath.
Habits like smoking and excessive alcohol consumption contribute to halitosis, as well. They not only dry out the mouth but also introducing strong-smelling chemicals that many find offensive.
Dry mouth, or xerostomia, is another increasingly common cause of bad breath. Saliva is the main way we cleanse the mouth and neutralize acids from bacteria. When we produce less saliva flow bacteria thrive, increasing the likelihood of bad breath. Common causes of dry mouth are not drinking enough water, some medical conditions, but most commonly many medications. Common medications include some blood pressure tablets, anti-depressants, sleeping tablets, anti-histamines and decongestants. It can sometimes be worth talking with your GP if this is the case.
In some cases, halitosis may be linked to underlying health problems, so a visit to your GP may be a good idea, as well, if it doesn’t esolve after doing all the basics.
So, to keep halitosis under control drink more water, cut down on the smoking and alcohol, brush and floss well, have a regular dental check-up and clean and seeking medical advice if the problem persists.