Bad breath can drive the people around you away – it can be difficult both physically and emotionally.

Whenever you attempt to talk to someone, you may find them leaning away instead of listening.

Not only is bad breath unpleasant and embarrassing, but it can mean there’s a bigger problem, and sometimes a serious one, inside your mouth.

Causes for bad breath are many and varied, and in order to cure bad breath, the specific cause must be identified. And while bad breath is a common problem among Australians, it’s also usually a simple fix.

Below, Forster Dental Centre will outline the controllable causes of bad breath, and the five steps for fresher breath and confidence boost.

What Causes Chronic Bad Breath?

While temporary bad breath is common, chronic bad breath is a different thing entirely. Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis to dentists, can be difficult to get rid of even if you do the simple things like staying away strong smelling foods and engaging in good oral hygiene habits.

It can actually be a sign of deeper issues, such as:

• Improper home oral care.Though you’ve heard it far too many times, it is critical to brush and floss Not flossing leaves debris between your teeth that can be a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause bad breath. This is true of dentures also; they must be correctly cleaned when being taken out or put back into the mouth.
• Gum Disease: This infection sets into your gums, the bone that surrounds your teeth and can slowly loosen teeth. Take our Gum disease risk quiz
• Dry Mouth:In dry mouth your mouth does not produce enough saliva to keep itself clean, healthy, and fresh (and help protect teeth). Dry mouth can be the result of an underlying medical condition, breathing with mouth open, strenuous workouts and several different types of medication.
• Medical Conditions:Some mouth infections, other than gum disease, can lead to chronic bad breath as well. The infection producing conditions include things such as a diabetes, sinus condition, gastric reflux, or liver and kidney disease.
• Tobacco use. Regardless of whether it is cigarettes or chewing tobacco, tobacco use wreaks havoc on the mouth. In addition to its distinct odour, tobacco leaves the mouth more vulnerable to gum disease, which in turn increases the likelihood of bad breath and systemic problems in the body that also cause bad breath.
• Poorly fitting dental restorations. If your crowns, onlays, fillings, or removable appliances aren’t properly fitted to your mouth, there can be gaps that allow bacteria to proliferate.
• Buildup on your tongue.Not only can food and other particles accumulate on and between your teeth, but they can also set up shop on your tongue. Left un-brushed and un-scraped, your tongue can act as a magnet for all kinds of bacteria. This is one of the biggest sources of halitosis.

5 Steps For Fresher Breath

The simplest ways to deal with bad breath can be attempted at home. Here are a few suggestions:

Brush your teeth morning and night. Use a quality soft-bristle toothbrush make sure to brush for two whole minutes. Besides cleaning the teeth and gums, we recommend your brush your entire mouth including the tongue, inner cheeks, and roof of your mouth.

Floss. Flossing seems to be the first thing people skip in their oral hygiene habits, but food and debris stuck between your teeth are like a buffet for oral bacteria. The bacteria, in turn, excrete acid that attacks your teeth, while also starting the process that results in dental calculus (tartar).

Scrape your tongue. It’s estimated that up to 90% of mouth-related bad breath is caused by bacteria on the tongue. Which is why, next to flossing, the most impact you can have on bad breath is not only to brush your tongue well, but also to scrape it. Scraping tools are available over the counter at most drug stores.

Rinse with an alcohol-free mouthwash. It’s the alcohol in most mouthwashes that gives you that burning feeling that seems to indicate progress, but it is better to go with a mouthwash that’s alcohol-free. Alcohol dehydrates the mouth, and the drier the mouth, the worse the breath.

Stay hydrated. Very few things will do more for your breath (and dental and overall health) than drinking water throughout the day to regularly hydrate your mouth.

Your Local Dentist – Forster Dental Centre

At Forster Dental Centre, we provide each patient the care that allows them to maintain healthy teeth and a beautiful smile for life! We provide an extensive range of dental services from preventative dentistry to restorative dental options along with the latest in cosmetic dentistry solutions for straighter and whiter teeth.

We pride ourselves on listening to the needs and concerns of all our patients and providing you with the personalised attention you and your family deserves.

Forster dentist is also serving local communities in Tuncurry, Pacific Palms, Smiths Lake, Hallidays Point, Failford, Old Bar, Nabiac, Taree, Manning Valley, Bulahdelah, Harrington and Great Lakes.