Causes Of Bad Breath And How To Combat Them
Your local St John’s Wood dentist discusses this common problem.
We all know that certain foods and habits can give us smelly breath. A cheese and onion sandwich, garlic pasta, a cigarette – none of these things make for the freshest breath. However, there are also other causes of bad breath that you might not know about. For example, simply neglecting your oral health routine can cause you to have bad breath. When we eat, the food particles quickly collect between the teeth and if we don’t remove them, they begin to rot as bacteria in the mouth go to work; all of which causes a nasty smell. Even if we do brush excess bits away, pungent foods can still leave a noticeable “whiff” for a while after we’ve eaten them.
But you can also get bad breath if you don’t eat very much. People dieting may experience bad breath, especially if they go into a stage of rapid fat burning called ketosis which can cause particularly bad breath.
At Abbey Road Dental, common causes of bad breath we might see are:
Dry Mouth: This causes bad breath because the saliva isn’t washing away the things that cause bad smells. Medication, issues with the salivary glands and excessive breathing through the mouth (and not the nose) can all cause dry mouth.
A Medical Issue: Lung infections, sinus issues, bronchitis, diabetes, stomach problems and organ issues can all cause bad breath.
Dental Issues: Certain dental issues can cause bad breath. One of the early signs of gum disease is bad breath, and an abscess in the mouth can cause a bad smell because of the infection.
If you think you have bad breath, don’t be afraid to speak to Abbey Road Dental at our NW8 clinic, where a friendly dentist will be able to check for causes of bad breath and either suggest treatment, or advise you on what to do next. It may be that you need some dental treatment, you might need to use a special product like a special toothpaste for a while, you might simply need to alter your dental hygiene habits, or you could need to speak to another type of medical professional. The most important thing is to speak to us about your concerns so we can help you get it sorted out as quickly as possible.
Avoiding Bad Breath
One of the best things you can do to avoid bad breath is to visit your dentist in St John’s Wood regularly. Make sure you brush your teeth twice a day everyday, taking care to use the right toothbrush and toothpaste, and to clean thoroughly each time. If you maintain excellent oral health habits and still have bad breath, consider keeping a diary with all the food you eat, activities you do and medicines you take so that your GP or dentist can take a look and suggest possible causes (along with appropriate examinations and diagnostics).
Please Call Abbey Road Dental For An Appointment
Please give us a call on 02076241603 for more information or to make an appointment, we’re always more than happy to help.