Bad Breath

The NHS estimate that about 1 in 4 people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis. Bad breath is also known by its medical name of halitosis and can be caused by a number of factors.

The possible causes of halitosis can include poor oral hygiene due to people not brushing, flossing or generally cleaning their mouth and teeth on a regular basis. When a person doesn’t clean their mouth it causes a build up of bacteria which then cause their breath to smell.

The bacteria in your mouth help to break down pieces of food which then in turn releases gasses that can be unpleasant. If you don’t brush or clean your teeth and leave bits of food in your mouth, the food will start to be broken down by bacteria which cause bad odours.

If you are brushing your teeth, using mouthwash and flossing on a regular basis but still suffers from halitosis it could be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay in which you should visit your dentist as soon as possible.

Additional causes of bad breath can include eating strong smelling foods such as garlic as well as smoking on a regular basis and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol or coffee.

Sometimes there are underlying medical issues which are causing the bad breath such as infection and illness in the gastro intestinal tract however these are rare and can be remedied by visiting your local GP. With bad breath see your dentist first, after investigations and treatment if you still suffer from bad breath then we recommend you see your doctor for further investigations into the possible reasons.

Prevention and treatment of bad breath

There are a number of ways in which you can prevent bad breath some of these have already been mentioned but you should regularly brush your teeth and gums to keep them healthy and clean. Floss between your teeth to remove any trapped food and to keep your tongue clean because this is a key place bacteria can build up on.

Here is our 1-2-3 guide to banish bad breath

1. Floss your teeth
2. Brush your teeth
3. Mouthwash

If you have any further problems or questions with bad breath and ways to treat it please ask one of our dentists or hygienists.