Treatments for Bad Breath
Are You Struggling with Bad Breath?
Find out more about the common causes of bad breath and how our experienced dental team can help.
Suffering From
BAD BREATH?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a foul-smelling odour that comes from our mouth and is unpleasant, to ourselves and those around us. If your breath continues to smell after brushing your teeth in the morning, this means there is an underlying cause for the odour.
At Wyndham Dental Solutions, our dentist will conduct a thorough assessment of your oral health to pinpoint what’s causing your bad breath. Read on for more details on what could be causing your bad breath and how our dentist can help treat it.
Common Causes Of
BAD BREATH?
Bad breath can be caused by many factors, the most basic one being your own oral and dental hygiene practices. Keep reading to find out more!
Not brushing regularly, flossing and failing to clean the tongue can cause bad breath. Plaque buildup on teeth and gums can cause bad breath as bacteria in the mouth break down food particles. This process releases acidic chemicals that produce an unpleasant odour.
Over time, this leads to tartar and calculus build-up around the teeth, causing periodontal disease, swelling in the gums and the formation of deep pockets between your gums and teeth. These pockets will collect smelly bacteria, making halitosis a whole lot worse.
Along with plaque formation on teeth, bacteria present on the back of the tongue have a major role in contributing to bad breath.
Need help getting rid of bad breath?
Common Causes of Bad Breath
Certain Types of Food
Food such as onions, garlic and even certain spices are broken down by the body into strong-smelling compounds, which can even enter the bloodstream and be released through the air we exhale. So being mindful of what you eat can help reduce the overall smell exuded from your mouth!
Xerostomia or Dry Mouth Syndrome
If you breathe through your mouth or don’t stay hydrated, your saliva production decreases significantly, often resulting in noticeably bad breath. Saliva acts as a natural cleanser and buffer, counteracting the acidic environment caused by bacteria. Additionally, its enzymes aid in digestion. During sleep, saliva production naturally decreases, but mouth breathing makes this worse by further diminishing what’s produced, leading to terrible morning breath.
Certain Medication
Furthermore, certain medications specific chemotherapeutic drugs and throat radiation therapy are known to affect the salivary glands and reduce saliva production. Low saliva leads to no washing or neutralising action, resulting in severe levels of halitosis along with higher levels of dental decay, swelling in the gums and formation of plaque and tartar build-up.
Tobacco Use
Using products containing tobacco, such as cigarettes, heightens bad odour from the mouth as smokers ingest hundreds of harmful chemicals which react within the body causing tissue damage. The reduction in salivary flow leads to dry mouth, tartar production and in turn, gum disease.
Infections in the mouth or throat
In cases of tooth extractions, sockets can sometimes become infected if not cared for and cause a very foul scent. Similarly, sinusitis and throat infections like tonsillitis can produce strong, unpleasant odours that become noticeable when speaking, coughing, or even breathing.
Tonsillitis can also cause the growth of stones, which are known to be one of the most unpleasant smelling conditions of the throat and can lead to halitosis.
Alcohol
The more often you drink alcohol, the more likely you are to experience bad breath. Consuming a lot of alcohol causes dryness in the mouth and reduces your saliva production, which increases the likelihood of bacteria flourishing as it contains.
Digestive Issues
Having digestive issues can lead to bad breath. Acid reflux or constipation is caused when your stomach or intestines are not working effectively. They can release bad-smelling gas that makes its way up to your oesophagus and emits through your mouth during social interactions.
Treating
BAD BREATH
There are plenty of ways to treat bad breath, starting with improving your oral hygiene!
- Brushing effectively twice a day with a fluoridated toothpaste, flossing at least once a day and using mouthwash can help to keep bad breath at bay. Using a tongue scraper to clean the back of the tongue makes a remarkable difference!
- Reducing the amount of cigarettes or cigars you smoke and even quitting can reduce bad breath and improve your overall health and well-being.
- Having mint-flavoured gum can help contain bad breath and leave your mouth feeling fresh and refreshed.
- Chewing sugar-free gum can help increase the saliva flow, reducing the dryness in the mouth and ultimately lead to better breath.
- Try using mouthwash daily, especially after meals.
- Breath freshener sprays do well as a temporary yet speedy fix for bad breath and dry mouth.
- Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist to prevent dry mouth which can lead to bad breath.
- Eat a balanced diet with wholesome food like leafy greens, nuts and vegetables while consuming food like garlic and onions in moderation.
Schedule Your Consultation Today
Prevention is always better than cure, so make sure to schedule regular visits with your dentists to keep your mouth healthy, disease-free and your teeth sparkling clean!
Feel free to visit us at Wyndham Dental Solutions, where our team of dentists and dental hygienists collectively help to keep your smile fresh and healthy, saving you from ever having to worry about bad breath!
