Treatment Options For Halitosis
Is halitosis getting you down and making you self-conscious? Find out how to prevent and treat this unpleasant oral condition.
85% of Brits would be turned off by bad breath when looking for a new partner. Additional figures revealed by the Oral Health Foundation in its National Smile Month Survey found that 80% of singletons would refuse a second date with someone if they had come across bad breath on their first. Clearly, bad breath, officially known as halitosis is a deal-breaker, and it’s not just a condition which can have a social impact on romantic relationships. Bad breath can also negatively affect your ability to forge new friendships and progress in your career, as well as reducing your self-confidence. The good news is that halitosis is preventable if you understand the cause of it and practice positive dental hygiene.
Causes of Halitosis
Bacteria in your mouth feeds on the food particles that are left behind, attached to your tongue, teeth and gums. Without regular dental care, this bacterium spreads quickly and is responsible for the unpleasant odour associated with bad breath. When plaque is allowed to build up, it can cause gum disease in advanced cases which again is attributed to the foul smell of halitosis. Other common causes of bad breath are smoking, drinking coffee and also having a dry mouth.
Brushing To Prevent Bad Breath
To prevent halitosis, you should begin by brushing your teeth twice a day with an electric toothbrush and ensure that you’re using the correct technique of moving the brush across the inner, outer and chewing edges of your teeth in a gentle motion. Your brush should be at a 45-degree angle to your gums. This is the absolute minimum that you should do.
Mouthwash and Flossing
Additionally, you should use mouthwash after each brushing, to kill the bacteria already present. This will temporarily neutralise the odour that is produced. Next up, it’s important to floss twice a day to fully remove any leftover food particles from between your teeth. Where you have a bigger gap, you can make use of small interdental brushes which come in a variety of sizes. Following the brush, mouthwash and floss routine twice a day will help to prevent plaque from forming and stop gum disease in its tracks too.
Cleaning Your Dentures or Braces
If you have any extra considerations such as the wearing of dentures, or the Invisalign product, then make sure you remove these and follow the individual product’s cleaning guidelines to the letter to ensure that you’re not introducing fresh bacteria into your mouth.
Quitting Smoking
Amongst the many health benefits of quitting smoking, alleviating the symptoms of bad breath is a positive side effect. Seek advice to help you quit and you’ll reap the rewards of having given up this dangerous habit.
Regular Dental Care
Attending regular dental appointments is crucial to prevent bad breath from occurring. If you go for a basic check-up with your Essex dentist every six months, they’ll be able to detect any early warning signs of a problem and can offer treatment for gum disease and advice on how to take better care of your teeth. Get in touch with your dentist today to make an appointment and get you back on the path to positive oral hygiene!