ALL ABOUT BAD BREATH

How to tell if you have bad breath

Several little tell-tale signs can show you've got bad breath. Pause for a moment and think. Do people step away from you when you open your mouth to speak? Do you notice people turn their cheek as you kiss them goodbye? Have you seen people cover their nose subtly as you talk to them?

An easy test you can perform if you think you may have bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist and sniff. If it does smell bad, then you can be quite sure that you have bad breath.

You can also test for bad breath by asking a close friend of yours who you feel can be truly sincere with you, but ensure they are a really good friend.

What's responsible for bad breath?

One common dental problem is bad breath! There are several different causes for this issue. A consistent bad breath is experienced when the bacteria that coat your gums, tongue, and teeth release smelly gases. Again, particles of food that are left on the tongue and stuck between the teeth can decompose and give off an unpleasant smell. Certain foods like onions, coffee, and garlic can increase the problem. This is why it is pertinent to clean and brush your teeth properly and regularly; it will give you fresh breath!

Tooth decay and gum disease can be caused by plaque (a bacteria located on our teeth and gums). Having a constant bad taste or bad breath in your mouth is an indication of gum disease.

During your routine dental checkups, your dentist will be able to diagnose and treat this problem. Treatment is more effective when the issue is discovered on time. At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, London, we have an excellent dental team that can help you. Call us on 020 71830755.

Other Causes Of Bad Breath

Certain medical conditions can also be responsible for bad breath. For instance, Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) is a medical condition where your mouth produces insufficient saliva. This insufficiency in saliva production causes the buildup of bacteria in your mouth and leads to bad breath.

Xerostomia may also be caused by certain medicines, problems with salivary gland, and if you constantly breathe through your mouth instead of the nose. In older adults, saliva production may be less, and this could cause more issues.

For you suffering from dry mouth, your dentist can recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product or give other solutions to the issue.

Are there other medical conditions that can cause bad breath?

Yes. Medical conditions like throat, lungs, or nose infections; kidney or liver problems; bronchitis; and sinusitis, can lead to bad breath.

Is smoking a cause of bad breath?

Yes, it is. The use of tobacco certainly causes a peculiar type of bad breath. The solution to this cause of bad breath is to quit smoking.

Smoking causes gum irritation, stain, and loss of taste, as well as smelly breath. Smokers are prone to gum disease and stand at higher risk of developing mouth cancer, lung cancer, and heart disease. Seek help from your healthcare provider or dentist to quit smoking. However, if you quit smoking, but the bad breath doesn't go away, you will have to consult your dental care team or family doctor. Equally, you can get advice and medical attention at our clinic in London.

Bad Breath And My Dentist

In case you suffer from bad breath, you may have to commence regular cleaning and brushing of your teeth to keep your breath fresh.

Routine dental checkups with your dentist will help identify places where the plaque is stuck between the teeth. With this, all the difficult places to reach can be properly cleaned. Your dental team can also show you how best to clean your mouth and areas like your tongue that needs special attention.

At Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, we provide very good dental checks and techniques for cleaning teeth. You can find us in London.

Can You Prevent Bad Breath?

Having a fresh breath requires you treat any gum disease (if you have) and clean your mouth regularly. But if your breath is bad, you can keep a list of all the foods and medicines you are taking. You should take this list to your dentist who may be able to help you. In the meantime, you should:

Clean your teeth and gums in the morning and last thing at night with a fluoride toothpaste
Brush your tongue very well or use a tongue scraper. Reduce your intake of sugary foods and drinks
Have regular dental checkups or as recommended by your dentist
Floss your teeth at least once daily. Brushing alone accounts for just 60% of cleaning your teeth surface. You can use interdental brushes or other good products on the market to clean between your teeth
Make use of a mouthwash especially those containing antibacterial agents; they could make you have a fresher breath

But if you keep having bad breath, visit your dentist to ensure your mouthwash is not hiding a severe underlying issue. Try chewing sugar-free gum. It aids in the production of more saliva and prevents dry mouth. Of course, a dry mouth equals bad breath!

Can Mouthwash Deal With Bad Breath?

Don't use a mouthwash to hide bad breath! If you are always using a mouthwash, see your dentist. Mouthwashes come in different types. There are several specially formulated types of mouthwash containing chlorhexidine (which are recommended for gum disease). They can stain your teeth. Follow the manufacturer's guide or ask questions to be guided accordingly. At the Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic, our dentists can give you a detailed guide of which mouthwash is ideal. Locate us in London.

The Use Of Dentures And Bad Breath

Cleaning your dentures (if you use them) is equally as important as cleaning your natural teeth. A thorough cleaning of dentures will take out food particles that could be stuck around its edges and prevent rotting.

Do well to keep and maintain another brush which you'll use to clean your dentures. Adhere to the general rule of 'brushing, soaking, and brushing' your dentures again.

When brushing your dentures, do that over a bowl of water just in case they fall. Always brush your dentures before soaking. This will take out food particles.Use a special cleaner to soak your dentures for a short period. Brush them just like your natural teeth after soaking. Don’t ignore the entire surface of the dentures including the surface which seats on your gum talk to them.

Should you notice scale or stain building up in your dentures, ask your dentist for help with cleaning them. A lot of dentists recommend the use of small to a medium-head toothbrush, or sometimes a special denture brush (if you're able to get one).

Ways Of Telling Someone They Have Bad Breath

It is true we might know someone who has bad breath but discussing it requires courage which only very few persons have. This makes the idea of telling someone they have bad breath a very tactful issue. There are chances that they may feel offended, embarrassed, and may not want to talk to you again.

But it is noteworthy of mentioning that so many problems can cause bad breath. When a person realises they have bad breath, it becomes easier to deal with the cause.

Another method is by talking to their partner or family member. This can help greatly. Bad breath can be caused by a medical condition which can be treated.Leaving a note or leaflet in places where the person can see it can also help.

Cosmetic Dentistry Clinic

For more information, help, and advice about your dental health, call 020 71830755. Our phone lines are always open. You can also visit our clinic in London. We have helped a lot of people confidentially deal with bad breath.

You can rely on us for confidential and effective treatment of bad breath. Feel free to call us anytime. We're available on weekdays from Monday to Friday.

Do book an appointment with us.