Today is Fresh Breath Day, yes believe it or not there is now an awareness day for breath. This may seem incredibly random, but it’s actually been great at raising awareness of the issues which cause bad breath. Don’t underestimate how difficult it can be living with this condition, it can lead to social anxiety and a fear of getting too close to people.
Bad breath (or halitosis) is believed to be suffered by up to 1 in 4 people and yet it is highly preventable and treatable.
Whilst many people simply try to mask it with mouthwashes, chewing gum or mints this is only a temporary fix, when really you should be getting to the root of the problem.
What are the causes of bad breath?
There are many factors which contribute to bad breath and some of the most obvious are food, tobacco, coffee and alcohol.
However, the most important element in preventing bad beath is a good oral health routine. Your hygienist will advise you on brushing techniques, cleaning between the teeth with floss or interdental brushes and preventing a build-up of bacteria in your mouth, namely between the teeth or on the gums and tongue.
One of the devices which helps considerably is a tongue scraper, which are available in the practice. It will remove food debris from the rough surface of the tongue and help lower bacteria and therefore the chances of bad breath.
Can it be treated in the practice?
In most cases the simple answer is yes. There are a few exceptions of underlying medical issues like diabetes, tonsillitis or sinusitis which will require medical attention with your GP. Alternatively, if you have a cavity or other more serious dental issue then Jonathan, Leigh Ann or Jonny will speak to you about this during your dental health check.
For everyone else we will monitor your oral health closely and recommend a suitable number of hygiene appointments for a deep clean of your teeth and mouth, and Miriam or Hina will also recommend which products you should be frequently using. This will help to lower the bacteria in your mouth and in turn improve your breath. As we are booked up months in advance for hygiene appointments, we would recommend booking your next one as soon as you get the opportunity.
What do I do next?
If you have concerns regarding bad breath, then please make an appointment with us as soon as possible where we will outline a treatment plan to help freshen your breath and restore your confidence.
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