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.
Tags: bad breath, brushing and flossing, halitosis
