Do you have Bad Breath?

Do you have bad breath?

Are people always offering you a mint?

If so, the good news is that bad breath is something that can be easily remedied.

Apart from avoiding the usual culprits of onion, garlic and smoking, bad breath can be a sign of dental health problems or poor oral hygiene habits.

 

 

 

 

 

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented by practicing good oral hygiene- brushing twice a day with toothpaste and flossing to make sure to remove any food particles and plaque around the teeth. Don’t forget to clean the tongue as this is where the majority of the odour-producing bacteria are. The tongue can be cleaned with a tongue scraper or just your toothbrush. Rinsing with an antibacterial mouthwash can be a helpful temporary fix for bad breath, but is not as effective as thorough cleaning with brushing/flossing/tongue scraping.

Staying hydrated by drinking lots of water and avoiding alcohol and smoking are also key to preventing bad breath.

Having regular dental exams and professional cleaning are vital to detect and prevent gum disease- an infection of the gums which causes bad breath. If gum disease is left untreated, it can lead to permanent damage of the gums and jawbone.