Bad breath

Foul-smelling breath (also called “halitosis”) can lead to uncomfortable social situations. Whether you’re on a date, trying to make a good first impression at a job, or even just having a conversation with a friend, you probably want your breath to be as fresh as possible.

Bad breath doesn’t just affect your social life though. It can leave a bad taste in your mouth (literally) and might mean there are unaddressed health issues at play.

Whether it’s morning breath or a little too much garlic with your dinner, we’ve probably all experienced it at one point or another. A bigger concern would be persistent bad breath or a lingering foul taste, despite proper oral hygiene.

What are possible causes of bad breath?

If you notice persistent bad breath, you should speak to your dentist or doctor to investigate any potential health issues. A lot of different factors can cause bad breath, so it’s important to get a professional opinion on your specific circumstances.

Common causes include:

• Periodontal disease (gum disease): Caused by plaque build-up on the teeth, gum disease can result in a lot of different oral health problems. Your dentist can help you determine if periodontal disease is the culprit behind bad breath. Click here to read more about periodontal disease.
• Xerostomia (dry mouth): Saliva is crucial for neutralising acids and washing away debris or dead cells. Without enough saliva, you could start experiencing bad breath. Saliva is important for your overall oral health, too! Click here to read more about xerostomia.
• Other health issues: Many other conditions can cause bad breath, like sinus infections, pneumonia, diabetes, chronic acid reflux or kidney problems. Your dentist can rule out oral health problems and help you narrow down the cause of the bad breath.

Tips for preventing bad breath

Even if you’re not experiencing any health issues that cause bad breath, there’s a good chance that you’ll still want to keep your breath as fresh as possible.

The best way to prevent bad breath is through proper oral hygiene and dental visits. Good oral hygiene will help freshen your breath daily. Along with proper hygiene at home, professional cleans and check-ups can help to prevent the oral health problems that cause not-so-great odours.

You can also try:

• Flossing between your teeth as part of a daily oral hygiene routine
• Drinking lots of water, which helps to keep your mouth moist
• Chewing sugarless gum to stimulate saliva production
• Avoiding smoking or chewing tobacco
• Brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and food debris.