Fresher breath for a more confident you
Bad Breath
Bad Breath (Halitosis) is not a serious medical condition, but it can lead to a negative impact both personally and socially, resulting in poor self-esteem or sometimes embarrassing situation. Therefore, it is advisable to seek treatment as early as possible.
What are the causes for bad breath?
Bad breath can be caused by the following reasons:
- Dental issues like – poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, gum problems, (gingivitis and periodontal disease)
- Dry mouth (due to lack of saliva flow)
- Sinus/Throat infections
- Dentures (trapped food or plaque developing on dentures)
- Consuming foods like garlic, onions or excessive intake of coffee. Food can get accumulated in between the teeth, around the gums and especially the back of the tongue resulting in bacterial growth. These odour-causing bacteria’s produce compounds called volatile sulphur compounds, causing bad breath.
- People who use tobacco (smoking) and alcohol
- Other systemic diseases such as diabetes, bronchitis, lung infections, kidney/liver failure, or gastrointestinal conditions
The earlier the problems are found, the more effective the treatment will be.
How do I get rid of bad breath?
Bad breath can be treated by a dentist. Teeth Scaling reduces odour-causing bacteria by removing plaque and tartar deposits that build up on your teeth over time, and polishing cleans stains caused by coffee, tea or smoking. For the scaling dentist utilises a special ultrasonic instrument, that uses high pressure solution to remove debris, plaque and tooth stains without causing any damage to teeth or gums.
Dentist will also prescribe you an antibacterial mouthwash, acid neutralising toothpaste, and a toothbrush depending on the need.
The outlook for fresh breath is usually excellent as long as you stick to your dentist’s treatment plan and oral hygiene instructions.
How can I prevent bad breath?
Bad breath can be prevented by following proper oral hygiene methods.
- Brush your teeth and gums two times a day using a soft brush, with a fluoride toothpaste at least for 2 -3 min twice a daily.
- Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, or use a tongue scraper. Cut down on how often you have sugary foods and drinks.
- Clean in between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss at least once a day – brushing alone only cleans up to about 60 percent of the surface of your teeth.
- Use a soft bristled toothbrush, which is less likely to damage teeth or gums, and don’t brush too hard, which can actually damage teeth.
- Use a mouthwash – some contain antibacterial agents that could kill bacteria that make your breath smell unpleasant.
- To keep your breath fresh, you must get rid of any gum disease, and keep your mouth clean and fresh. If you do have bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you are taking. Take this diary to your dentist, who may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.
- Chew sugar free gum. It helps in saliva production and stops it dry mouth.
If you have been brushing and flossing better and still notice bad breath, please see your dentist. They will be able to provide you with an examination and diagnosis as to what exactly has been causing your bad breath. Visiting your dentist every 6 months is an essential part of looking after your oral health.
You can enjoy a better quality of life by preventing bad breath. If you are looking for dentist in Mysore for problems like bad breath, bleeding gums, gum recession etc., contact us or book an appointment at Life Care Dental Clinic Mysore.
FAQ's on Bad Breath
• Have you noticed people stepping away from you when you start to talk?
• If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too.
• Ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest with you; but do make sure they are a true friend.