Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is the third biggest reason why we seek dental care, just after tooth decay and gum problems. Everyone, regardless of age, experiences bad breath at some point and the cause can be, for example, spicy food or cigarettes. Halitosis can also be a long-term condition that can affect people's self-esteem. Do you suffer from bad breath yourself? Conventional self-treatments not working? Contact us at TandCity and we will help treat your halitosis.
Symptoms of bad breath
Bad breath varies depending on the underlying cause. It can vary in strength during the day and many times you are not even aware that your mouth smells bad. A good way to confirm that you suffer from bad breath is therefore to ask a friend or relative close to you if you suspect that this is the case.
Causes of bad breath
A common misconception is that bad breath comes from the stomach. In most cases, bad breath comes from the mouth itself. Halitosis can occur for a number of different reasons such as:
– Food and tobacco:
Foods with a strong smell and taste such as garlic, onions or strong cheeses can cause temporary bad breath. Dairy products, meat and fish can also be a contributing cause of halitosis. Tobacco products such as cigarettes or snuff can cause bad breath as they contain proteins with sulfur compounds. When these proteins are taken up by odor-producing bacteria in the mouth, malodorous substances can occur.
– Poor oral hygiene:
Daily brushing and flossing is the most effective way to avoid bad breath. If you don't do that, you run the risk of food residue remaining in your mouth and causing bad breath. It is also common with poor oral hygiene that plaque forms on and around one's teeth or on the tongue and emits a foul smell. Dentures that are not cleaned regularly or do not fit properly can be a breeding ground for odor-producing bacteria and food debris.
– Dry mouth:
Our saliva helps us clean our mouth of food residues and other substances that cause bad smells. Dry mouth, or xerostomia, can cause bad breath as saliva production is impaired and does not get the chance to clean our mouth properly.
– Medicines:
Medicines can cause dry mouth and lead to bad breath. Some medications that break down can also trigger substances that negatively affect the breath.
– Infections and other diseases:
Bad breath can occur from infections that have occurred in the mouth, nose or throat. For example, gum disease or mouth ulcers. Halitosis can also be caused by, for example, metabolic diseases and ailments whose substances can affect the breath.
Treatments for bad breath
The main treatment for treating bad breath is regular and thorough oral hygiene.
- Brush twice a day, morning and evening, for about two minutes with toothpaste containing fluoride.
- Floss at least once a day to remove food residue and plaque from hard-to-reach places in the mouth.
– Brush your tongue gently with a toothbrush, or get a toothbrush with a built-in tongue cleaner, alternatively get a tongue scraper.
- Clean dentures and bite splints at least as thoroughly as your mouth.
– Avoid dry mouth by, for example, chewing gum or drinking water
- Adjust your diet and avoid strong-smelling foods such as garlic and sweet foods
– Change your toothbrush regularly
- Visit a dentist regularly
Visit TandCity and get rid of your bad breath
Do you suffer from bad breath and want to get rid of it? Book a visit with TandCity and we will find the cause of your halitosis and how it should be treated in the best way. We offer high-quality dental care at a reasonable price as we believe that all people should be able to have the opportunity for good oral hygiene.
“The text above is written for online marketing purposes. The views are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect the views of TandCity.”