Of all the personal hygiene problems people have, bad breath is definitely one of the worst. It can make being around someone very unpleasant, yet the fact is we have probably all had breath at one time or another, although it is true that some people suffer far more than others. The worst thing about bad breath, or halitosis as it is otherwise known, is that it is very difficult to know when you have it unless you experience the embarrassment of somebody telling you.
It is important to remember that there are several easy steps to getting rid of bad breath. This does not include the use of mouthwashes or breath sprays as many people think. Mints, sprays and mouthwashes in fact do little more than mask the smell temporarily and it will return in anything between ten minutes and two hours. In some cases, mouthwash can even make the problem worse because it destabilises the delicate bacteria/saliva balance in the mouth, the body’s natural defence against bad breath.
The key to stopping bad breath is better oral hygiene. Over 90 per cent of cases of halitosis are cause by poor oral hygiene. The main reason for this is that food particles that get trapped in between teeth and in the grooves of the tongue attract bacteria. When this begins to decay it releases nasty smelling chemicals that are carried out on the breath making it smell. More thorough tooth brushing and crucially, flossing will remove these food particles before they can begin to break down. A Merseyside dentist will be able to explain in more detail how best to clean your teeth to stop bad breath at your next appointment.
Tags: bacteria, bad breath, flossing, halitosis, mouth wash, oral hygiene