Bad breath is a normal result of a buildup of bad bacteria in your mouth. Some of the bad bacteria release Sulphur as a waste product, causing the funny smell. It is natural to have bacteria in your mouth, we all have lots of good bacteria, but it is best to follow these tips to reduce the numbers of bad bacteria, and the smell.
What causes it?
- Smoking
- Having a dry mouth
- Poor dental hygiene
- Strong foods
- Certain medications or medical conditions
How do I fix this?
Make sure you have your regular checkups
Dentists and hygienists can help prevent and tackle bad breath. They have special instruments which allow them to clean more deeply under the gums and remove more of that bacteria that causes the bad breath.
Tooth decay can also cause bad breath, and a trip to the dentist can treat both your bad breath and tooth decay at once.
We can also give you targeted oral hygiene advice and teach you how to keep your teeth and gums healthy.
Keep your mouth clean
The best way to keep your mouth smelling fresh is it keep it clean. Brushing twice and day and cleaning in between your teeth not only keeps your teeth and gums nice and healthy, but will remove lots of the bacteria that causes bad breath.
It is often thought that using a mouthwash will give you fresh breath, but this is not necessarily the case. A mouthwash that contains oxygenated produces can be helpful when used in conjunction with brushing and flossing, but an alcohol-based mouthwash can actually make the problem worse as it will dry out your mouth.
It is also important to brush your tongue. Tongues can also act as a trap for bad-breath causing bacteria, as it can get trapped on the thin white film that sometimes builds up. An easy way to keep your tongue clean is to brush it when you brush your teeth. after you are done, add another small amount of toothpaste to your toothbrush and spend a moment gently brushing your tongue from the back to the front of your mouth.
Keep hydrated
If your mouth is dry, you lose the natural cleansing action of your saliva to remove that bad-breath bacteria from your mouth. To help keep your mouth hydrated, ensure you drink plenty of water throughout the day, your doctor will love you for it too!
This is important, as when you are dehydrated your body will slow down the production of saliva, allowing bacteria and odors to build up. Alcohol and coffee also have a similar effect, creating that same dry mouth environment. Ensure to drink lots of water while drinking alcohol and coffee.
Certain medications and health problems can also cause dry mouth. If this is you, make sure you chat to your dentist or hygienist and discuss some ways that you can best hydrate your mouth.
Don’t smoke
There are many consequences of smoking, including dry mouth and gum disease, which both contribute to bad breath. If you are a smoker, have a talk to your dentist or GP about quitting, and make sure you get lots of advice on how to look after your teeth in the meantime.
Always remember, these tips will not help everyone, and if you are still struggling be sure to book a check up and we will have a chat to find an individualised approach that is right for you!
