There are many causes of bad breath. Below are some details on the key reasons, and what you can do to reduce them.
Bacteria
One of the main causes of bad breath is bacteria. Bacteria is everywhere and we can’t get rid of it especially when there are good types of bacteria that our bodies need.
What can I do?
- Regular brushing and flossing, especially after meals, reduces bad breath significantly as it reduces breath levels of smelly gases produced by the bacteria.
Dry mouth
Saliva washes particles of food out of your mouth, so people with dry mouth may have bad breath because they still have food particles stuck in there.
What can I do?
- Drinking more tap water is the answer but green tea is an excellent drink too. Green tea shows promise as a treatment for bad breath, as there’s growing evidence that the antioxidants in green tea can protect against cavities and bad breath.
- For people with chronic dry mouth problem, the use of special toothpaste and mouthwash is recommended.
- Fruits and vegetables contain a lot of water, which can help keep your mouth moist. However many fruits are very high in sugar content, so you have to be careful what fruits and how many you are eating.
Foods and drinks
We all know there are foods that taste great when we are eating them, but not so great afterwards. Culprits include, garlic, red meat, cheese and alcoholic drinks.
What can I do?
- Brushing your teeth, flossing and rinsing with mouthwash removes the leftovers and helps hide the odour
- Chewing on a few fresh mint leaves or parsley can help reduce the smell too.
Why you should visit Brite Dental
There can be times that even when you are taking all the right actions you do still have bad breath. We understand that bad breath can make you feel self conscious. A visit to our practice can put your mind at rest. We can look at the health of your mouth and identify if there are any issues that need resolving, ie, some cavities or gum disease.
Here at Brite Dental we passionately believe in good oral care and will take the time to talk through how we can resolve your breath, and ensure that you live the practice feeling confident.
