Bad Breath or halitosis is something that everyone suffers from time to time, and in 90% of cases the problem originates within the mouth. Bad breath is not only unpleasant for the people around you, but very embarrassing for the person who has it. The good news, at Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental, we can help prevent this problem from ever occuring.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Throughout life, proper dental hygiene is extremely important, and involves brushing, flossing and having regular visits to your dentist. If a person fails to practice these steps, halitosis, tooth decay and periodontal disease will result. While most people today do their best to brush twice a day, flossing is often an area that lacks attention, and if not done “perfectly” some food particles will remain on your teeth and around your gums and tongue. Bacteria that live in your mouth use this plaque as a food source, and produce volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) as waste. In many cases, when your mouth is dry, the odour is more pronounced.
How To Avoid Bad Breath
- Visit Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental – when attending the consultation, your dentist will diagnose the cause of your halitosis, as well as recommend the best methods to prevent it. While regular hygiene treatment is essential to prevent the buildup of plaque and calculus in your mouth, there are often other underlying causes for bad breath.
- Brush and floss daily – mechanical cleaning through the use of a toothbrush and toothpaste, and floss remains the number one preventative treatment available to the public. Without proper attention, plaque will build up, bacterial levels increase, and the associated bad breath will occur.
- Use a recommended mouthrinse – When choosing a mouthrinse, it is very important to chose one that is alcohol free to prevent further drying of your mouth. At Jorgensen Mutzelburg Dental, we recommend an antiseptic oral rinse containing chlorine dioxide to destroy the odour forming compounds (VSCs). Many mouthrinses available in supermarkets may help mask the smell with their flavour, however the odour will return as soon as the mouthrinse is gone.
- Avoid smoking – Smoking tobacco is a major cause of oral health problems, and will be discussed in full on a separate page. It is common knowledge that people who smoke cigarettes have bad breath, and this is caused by the unpleasant smell of the cigarettes, as well as their tendancy to dry out your mouth. Dentists, pharmacists and GPs will all be available to help you Quit Smoking, but ultimately, the decision must first come from you.
- Avoid certain foods before attending social outings – Garlic, onions, cabbage, and eggs are all proven foods that will increase the intensity of oral odour. To prevent embarrassment during social outings, minimise these foods immediately prior, however certainly enjoy these healthy foods at other times.
Other Conditions
Dry Mouth or xerostomia is a major health concern, and will lead to halitosis, increased dental decay and erosion, a loss of taste, difficulty swallowing, or with speech, as well as a reduction in the life of tooth restorations. There are many causes for dry mouth, and are best discussed with your dentist, and GP.
Infections can lead to bad breath. These can be infections in the sinus, mouth, throat or along the respitory tract.
Latest Breakthrough – The Natural Choice for Dentists
Researchers at the University of Otago discovered that a probiotic can be used to reduce the number of undesirable bacteria in the mouth. In a similar way that probiotics work in the stomach, researchers found that using a naturally occuring, beneficial bacteria in the mouth reduces the number of odour producing bacteria, and could reduce the occurrence of throat infections.
