It’s hard to believe that some of the products that we buy over the counter in Leeds, that we believe to promote the health of our mouths, can actually have the opposite affect and make our breath worse. One of the causes of bad breath is the drying up of saliva in the mouth, saliva being the main component in the fight against bacteria. Bacteria breeds, it becomes pungent, and can then lead on to gum disease and tooth decay that also give off bad odours. Certain whitening toothpastes contain baking sodas, sodium lauryl sulfate
and bleaching agents, that if used regularly can leave the mouth dry. Alcohol based mouthwashes do too. In fact they tend to mask any problems as opposed to treating them and though they kill germs, they also break down saliva. But bacteria, plaque and tartar that lead to bad breath, also thrive around areas where the enamel has been worn away from the tooth. This can be caused by choosing too hard a brush and/or abrasive tooth pastes or powders that not only wears away the enamel, but tears at the gum tissue. If you feel that you are losing the fight against bad breath and you are trying everything you can, you would be wise to consult your dentist with your problems.
Tags: bacteria, bad breath, gum disease
