Posts Tagged ‘halitosis’

Bad breath, a problem no more with effective treatment by City of Leeds dentist

Thursday, March 18th, 2010

Bad breath, also commonly called halitosis, is usually the result of poor dental hygiene but can also be the sign of wider health problems. It is frequently made worse by the foods you eat and other lifestyle habits such as smoking.

In nine out of ten cases bad breath is caused by poor brushing and flossing. This allows food particles to stay in the teeth and start to decay. The bacteria growth that causes decay also releases foul smelling sulphur compounds, which are one of the main causes of bad breath. Brushing and flossing more effectively will remove many of these food particles removing the food source for most of the bacteria. It will also remove plaque from the surface of the teeth, which is another hot-spot for bacteria.
In some ways, flossing is more important for the prevention of bad breath as it is often in the parts of the teeth hard to clean where bacteria becomes an issue.

However, in some cases, bad breath may be a sign that you are suffering from gum disease. Periodontal disease has a very distinctive odour and cause severe damage to the gums, even resulting in tooth loss. In other cases, bad breath may be being caused by the presence of yeast infections in the mouth or possibly a condition called dry mouth, which is caused by the underproduction of saliva.

A City of Leeds dentist will be able to thoroughly examine your mouth for the cause of bad breath. They can offer effective treatment for all causes and help you to take steps to prevent the condition returning again. With the right dental care bad breath will no longer be a problem.

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Central Leeds dentist prevents unpleasant bad breath

Wednesday, January 27th, 2010

Bad breath, or halitosis, is a particularly unpleasant oral hygiene condition that affects not just the sufferer but also everyone else around them. Everyone has probably had bad breath at some time or other in their life and may not even have known about it as it is notoriously difficult to detect yourself. It is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth which decay and release a nasty smelling sulphurous odour that is then carried out on the breath.

Contrary to what some people believe, most cases, over 90 per cent in fact, are caused by this and only a small percentage by digestion or internal concerns. For most people this will only happen on occasions when they have forgotten to clean their teeth properly. For others it may be more common as everyone has different levels of bacteria in the mouth but the treatment is still the same for everyone. Keeping teeth clean by brushing for three minutes at least twice a day helps to remove bacteria and food particles which are the main cause of bad breath. Flossing at least once a day is also essential to keeping the mouth looking and smelling clean. Flossing removes trapped food particles that stimulate the production of bacteria. It is also a very good idea to clean the surface of your tongue using a tongue cleaner. The grooves of the tongue are also a prime location for bacteria to live.

In the majority of cases improved cleaning can prevent bad breath but in some cases it may still persist. Under production of saliva, the body’s natural defence against bad breath may be the underlying cause in some cases. Ask a Central Leeds dentist at your next check up if you are concerned about bad breath as no matter what the problem there is always a way to treat this unpleasant condition.

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Central Leeds dentist helps patients beat bad breath

Thursday, September 17th, 2009

At one time or another, whether we are aware of it or not, we all will have suffered from bad breath. Bad breath, or halitosis as it is otherwise known, can strike anyone at any time unless you take preventative measures. Mouthwashes and chewing gum can mask the smell of bad breath but they don’t get to the causes so it is likely to return. Because it is so difficult to tell if your breath smells (we’ve all done the hand cupping move at some point) only a strong regime of preventative measures can alleviate the anxiety that you have bad breath.

People commonly believe that bad breath is caused by internal issues, such as poor digestion or stomach issues, but this is generally not the case. Studies have shown that nine cases out of ten are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. Food matter that gets caught in the gaps between teeth can start to decay when acted upon by bacteria in the mouth. This releases foul smelling sulfurous compounds which can be one of the main causes of halitosis. Bacteria thrive in the human mouth, where conditions for them are almost perfect. There are over 500 million on the human tongue alone where they live in the warm and moist crevices. This bacteria can also build up in a filmy substance called plaque that covers the teeth and decays the enamel. This bacteria and plaque live on decaying organic matter so the more you have in your mouth the more it is going to smell.

The most effective way to deal with bad breath is to make sure you are brushing your teeth correctly, twice a day, for three minutes. As well as this you should be flossing once a day. Flossing helps to clean small gaps in the teeth that conventional brushes can’t reach. This can remove the decaying food particles which cause many cases of bad breath. Using a mouthwash may also help kill bacteria but only as part of a wider oral hygiene routine.

Bad breath can be a warning sign that your oral hygiene needs improving. Ask a Central Leeds dentist about the correct ways to brush and floss at your next check up. They can also recommend the most suitable brush for your teeth. Just a few minutes extra cleaning a day could help you keep bad breath away for good.

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