Bad breath (halitosis) - your problems answered - Part 1

My thanks to our Dental Therapist Laura Woosey for this first of several guest blog posts for us.


Bad Breath – Too embarrassing to mention ?

Most people do suffer from bad breath (halitosis) at some point in their lives. Perhaps this includes you or someone close to you.

Halitosis can have a big impact on your self-confidence and social life, and can be caused by a number of things. There are many reasons why it happens. Here are the common ones.

There are hundreds of types of bacteria in the mouth some good, some bad.  However it is the sulphur-producing bacteria that cause the unpleasant odour.

Other types of bacteria cause tooth decay (cavities) whilst others cause gum diseases. If your gums feel spongy or bleed easily, its time to see you dentist, hygienist or dental therapist, for help.

Other reasons for bad breath may include smoking, drinking coffee, sinus and mucous problems, a dry mouth, eating protein rich foods and other foods such a garlic and onions. Often, in combination.

Sometimes bad breath occurs if people have stomach problems such as gastric reflux, frequent indigestion, heartburn or a hiatus hernia. All of these need help from your doctor.

To eliminate simple bad breath, follow these simple steps...

Firstly you must have an excellent oral health routine:

1.       Brush your teeth twice a day for at least 2 minutes.  Remember to brush the gums gently as well.

2.       Brush the tongue or invest in a simple tongue scraper to remove excess toothpaste, plaque and tongue coating. A high percentage of halitosis comes from tongue bacteria!

There are lots to choose from. Here is a great story about how one inventor used YouTube to get his product known

3.       Floss daily to remove any trapped food/plaque from between the teeth that can contribute to bad breath.  By concentrating on tooth brushing and inter-dental cleaning  (flossing or bottle-brushing) around the gums you will also prevent gum disease which is a major factor of bad breath and tooth loss.

4.       Use an alcohol-free, fluoride-based mouthwash after lunch to freshen the mouth and flush out excess food and drink.  Look out for oxygenating mouthwashes or Retardex products, which kill the odour-producing bacteria.

5.       Use a fluoride toothpaste with a mint flavour when brushing.  Try to avoid toothpaste containing sodium lauryl sulphate (a foaming agent), which many do have.

6.       If you suffer from a dry mouth, it is important to stay hydrated with frequent sips of water (not fizzy or flavoured).  People with a dry mouth are very prone to tooth decay so be sure to keep up you dental examinations if you have this problem. This problem occurs as we get older and if we are taking some prescription medicines. Be sure to talk to your dentist, hygienist or therapist if this troubles you. It is important , so don’t ignore it.

7.       Avoid caffeine and regularly chew sugar free gum. Ones containing xylitol are especially good at fighting tooth decay.

8.       Be sure to get professional advice too, don’t cover-up if there is an underlying problem, such as sinusitis or gum disease. Rarely, bad breath may be caused