One of the most
embarrassing dental problems is bad breath, or halitosis. And what’s worse is
you may not even be aware that your breath smells – the nose is desensitised to
your own breath. Here’s a trick to tell if you have halitosis – lick your arm
and wait for it to dry. If it smells, chances are your breath does too. Bad breath treatment can
begin with a few small changes in your oral hygiene routine or your everyday
life, provided you are aware of the various causes of it. If the problem
persists, it’s best to visit a
dentist for professional bad
breath treatment.
1.
Brush your tongue
It goes without saying
that brushing your teeth is imperative for good breath – especially after you
have eaten foods that leave an after-scent in your mouth such as onions, garlic
or spices.
Brushing your tongue
is just as important in your oral hygiene routine. That’s because odour-causing
bacteria thrives on your tongue. You may notice your tongue turns white after
you have eaten certain meals or if you have not brushed it in a while. This is
a clear indicator that your tongue needs to be cleaned.
You should gently
clean your tongue with the tongue cleaner found on the back of most
toothbrushes or with a tongue scraper.
2.
Quench your dry mouth
Your bad breath treatment can
start with something as simple as drinking more water to make sure your mouth
isn’t dry. Xerostomia
is a condition where the supply of saliva is too low to keep the mouth healthy.
Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralise acids produced by plaque,
prevent tooth decay, and wash away food residue.
3.
Quit smoking
The scent from smoking
is notorious for lingering in your mouth. Not to mention, smoking can cause
tooth decay and gum disease, which can also lead to bad breath and other
serious damage.
4.
Visit a dentist for
gum disease or other dental issues
Halitosis can be
caused by a number of dental health issues, so if it persists you should visit a
trusted dentist for diagnosis and individualised bad breath treatment.
One cause can be gum disease
(periodontal disease). Poor oral hygiene can
create bacteria which attacks the gums and can cause a foul smell.
Another cause of
halitosis can be an infection in the mouth, whereby pus can cause a bad smell.
Do you suffer from bad
breath? Is bad breath ruining your social life and confidence? Visit a
dedicated dentist
at Smiles
Nambour today for comprehensive bad breath treatments, including a dental scale
and clean and at-home oral hygiene instructions. Call (07)
5441 4438 or book an appointment online.
