The invisible, silent Christmas party killer

The embarrassing effect of bad breath is not something to be sniffed at

Don’t let bad breath spoil your Christmas social season. Realising you have bad breath can have devastating effects, but you’re not alone because the NHS estimate that about one in four people suffer from bad breath on a regular basis. Even so, you don’t have to let it spoil your Christmas parties and celebrations, because there is something you can do to help avoid the embarrassment that it causes. Taking action now will allow you to breathe more easily and become more confident when you’re mingling with company.Halitosis - to give it it's medical name - can be caused by a number of factors. So it stands to sense that if you address those factors in the correct manner there is a very good chance that your bad breath could very quickly become a problem of the past.Without any question, the main problem and the main cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. If people are not brushing, flossing or generally cleaning their mouth and teeth correctly on a regular basis (and that means brushing twice a day for two minutes each time) then the build-up of bacteria in their mouth will cause their breath to smell.If you don’t brush your teeth correctly, floss or use mouthwash on a regular basis then the remains of food can cause mouth odours.Other causes of halitosis include eating strong-smelling foods such as garlic and curry, smoking and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and coffee.But … if you do stick to a good oral hygiene routine and you find that you still suffer from bad breath then we definitely recommend that you arrange to visit your dentist without delay.The reason for this is that your bad breath could be caused by an underlying medical condition such as tooth decay, gum disease or even problems in your gastrointestinal tract. Your dentist can investigate the cause of your bad breath and can take any action that is required. If they feel that it is necessary they will also refer you to your GP who can most probably remedy the problem.So, with the Christmas social season now rapidly approaching, if you are at all concerned about bad breath and are worried about how it could affect your own (and your friends) enjoyment: here is the Carisbrook 1 – 2 – 3 – 4 Guide of how to banish halitosis.

1. Brush your teeth twice a day – morning and evening. Use fluoride toothpaste and

brush for at least two minutes.

2. Floss your teeth on a regular basis.

3. Use a mouthwash regularly.

4. Clean your tongue to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

You can check out our Hygiene page for more information.If you would still like further advice on how to prevent bad breath and the problems it brings then please make an appointment with one of our Hygienist team who will be pleased to help you. You can call us on 0161 951 7295 or alternatively you can contact us by using the online form on our Appointments page.