Did you know that bad breath or halitosis is the third most common reason for seeking dental help?
The intensity of bad breath can differ during the day due to eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, fish), smoking and alcohol consumption. During the night as the mouth is inactive and is exposed to less oxygen the odor is usually worse on waking (morning breath). Bad breath is often temporary and can disappear when eating, teeth brushing, interdental cleaning and using a mouthwash.
25% of the population suffer from chronic bad breath and there are many causes of this condition.
The most common cause of mouth related halitosis is the bacteria on the tongue. The bacteria on the tongue can account for 80-90% of cases of mouth-related bad breath. The best way to remove the bacteria from the tongue is to use your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.
Advanced gum (periodontal) disease is a common cause for severe halitosis. Waste products from the bacteria growing below the gum has a foul smell and has clinically demonstrated to cause a very intense bad breath. Visiting your dental hygienist for a course of periodontal therapy will hugely improve the freshness of your breath as well as your gum health.
The nose, tonsils, oesophagus and stomach are other causes of bad breath as well as medical conditions such as diabetes and chronic lung problems.
A simple test to see if you have halitosis is to lick the back of your wrist, let the saliva dry for a minute and smell the result. Another way is to scrape the back of the tongue with a plastic spoon and smell the drying residue.
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