Many people’s answer to dealing with bad breath is to reach for the nearest bottle of mouthwash and have a gargle but is this the best solution to treating halitosis? It would seem that the answer is no. Indeed in the United States, after rigorous testing in the 1970s by the Food and Drug administration, mouthwash products are no longer allowed by law to claim that their products stop bad breath.
During the testing it was found that mouthwashes were no more effective at stopping bad breath than drinking plain water. Although the mouthwash did mask the odour for up to two hours at its longest point it never addressed the source of the smell and it soon returned. Mouthwashes also have the effect of destabilising the bacteria in the mouth. Millions of bacteria exist in the mouth in a balance with saliva, the body’s natural regulator of oral bacteria. Mouthwashes disturb this balance limiting saliva production and stimulating the growth of more bacteria, often accentuating the problem.
While some mouthwashes may have some beneficial effects for some patients with certain conditions they certainly do not combat bad breath in all people and it is always worth asking a Leeds dentist before using any product. The best way to cure bad breath is to improve your standards of oral hygiene by better brushing and flossing. Most cases of bad breath are caused by decaying food debris or bacteria in the mouth but this can almost always be removed by correct brushing and flossing techniques. Drinking water with meals can also help to remove plaque and the presence of food and bacteria.
Tags: bacteria, bad breath, brushing and flossing, mouth wash
