If you regularly suffer from bad breath you may be interested to know that you are not alone: an estimated one in four people have a similar problem. Yet this knowledge is unlikely to make you feel less self-conscious when, however rigorously you brush your teeth, that unpleasant odour quickly returns.
But before you get too distressed about halitosis, you might want to ask a trusted friend or family member to check your breath: while bad breath is certainly a problem for many people, sometimes we imagine it is a lot worse than it really is.
Why does my breath smell?
Onions, garlic and coffee are classic culprits – but odours caused by food and drink are usually temporary. The cause of bad breath is, in most cases, poor oral hygiene, where bacteria has been allowed to build up in the mouth, producing malodorous toxins. It may be a sign that this accumulation of bacteria has developed into gum disease.
Smoking increases your risk of gum disease and causes your breath to smell. Bad breath may also be a result of crash dieting, certain types of medication or, occasionally, a sign of infection or illness.
What can I do about my bad breath?
Your first action should be to improve your oral hygiene: twice daily flossing and brushing – and don’t forget to clean your tongue, too.
At 76 Harley Street, a specialist dental practice in the heart of London, giving you advice on the most effective at-home oral hygiene regime is one of our priorities.Our hygienists will show you how to ensure you are observing the best hygiene practices to make your mouth a plaque-free zone, thereby keeping unpleasant smells at bay.
Furthermore, as a specialist dental practice we bring together experts under one London roof which means that our periodontist is on hand to offer treatment if gum disease is indeed a factor.
