How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath

Are you looking at How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath? It can be embarrassing to think that you have bad breath but the truth is that most of us will suffer from this problem occasionally, usually as a result of eating strongly flavoured foods including garlic and onions. If you have bad breath caused by your food choices then there is nothing you can really do except wait it out until the food is eliminated from your body.

You can temporarily mask the odour by using mouthwash but at least your breath will soon be back to normal. More persistent bad breath or halitosis can be a cause for concern. If you think you have bad breath then it’s best to ask a close friend or relative for their honest opinion, or of course you can always ask us.

What Can Cause Bad Breath?

Most cases of bad breath are simply due to a lack of oral hygiene. Each day a layer of sticky plaque bacteria will develop over the surface of your teeth and you might even be able to feel this if you run your tongue over your teeth at the end of the day. These bacteria thrive on particles of food and cause noxious odours. They will continue to build up unless removed by regular brushing and flossing. Any pieces of food that remain trapped in between your teeth will gradually begin to rot which doesn’t smell very pleasant. A lack of oral hygiene can also cause tooth decay and gum disease, both of which can lead to bad breath.

There’s also another condition that can cause halitosis and which is called dry mouth or xerostomia. Your mouth needs to produce quite a bit of saliva every day. It is used to moisten food and to start the process of digestion and it helps to wash away old skin cells, excess bacteria and excess food particles. Without plenty of saliva your mouth can feel dry and uncomfortable and there is an increased risk of infections. Dry mouth can be due to medical conditions such as Sjögren’s disease and diabetes, as well as respiratory infections. It might also be caused by prescription and over-the-counter medications.

Dealing with Bad Breath

An appointment with our dentist in South Benfleet will soon determine the cause of your bad breath. We can then put together a treatment plan for you, detailing any procedures needed to restore your dental health. If the problem is due to poor oral hygiene then a visit to our hygienist will help tremendously. You will also find they can give you lots of useful advice on how to improve your dental care at home.

To keep your mouth fresh and clean you do need to brush at least twice a day and you must floss once-a-day. Generally it’s best to brush your teeth as soon as you get up to remove bacteria that will have built up overnight. Brush your teeth again before you go to bed and it’s better to floss at this time because your mouth is drier overnight and these conditions allow bacteria to thrive.

Very occasionally we might not be able to find a cause for your bad breath, in which case our dentist in South Benfleet will recommend a visit to your GP as sometimes bad breath can be due to an undiagnosed medical problem.