Bad Breath & How to Fix It - Redbank Plains Dental

1. Bad Breath & How to Fix it

2. Bad Breath • Would you agree that bad breath is one of the first things you notice when meeting someone new? Whether it’s this morning’s coffee or last night's garlic bread, bad breath (or halitosis) is highly unpleasant. • Maintaining a high level of oral hygiene is key for fresh breath, as most of the time bad breath comes from a lack of regular cleaning and poor dietary choices. In some cases, bad breath can be an indication of more complicated health problems and should be seen to by a dental professional. • Bad breath comes from bacteria found in the mouth, causing an odour that is forced out in conversation or when breathing. With an array of oral hygiene products on the market, sometimes it can be hard to choose what product is best suited to you and your family, and what products will best benefit your breath. • Although dental products are paramount in keeping your mouths happy, there are many other choices that can be made in maintaining good oral hygiene. • In the following slides are the top 5 tips for keeping your breath fresh without requiring an emergency dental procedure.

3. Be Mindful of Your Diet • Highly odorous foods, herbs and beverages such as garlic and coffee will often produce longer lasting smells in your mouth. If you know you will be eating or drinking something that will linger on your breath, be sure to brush and floss after consumption, as this will help control smells. • Raw foods such as vegetables not only carry nutritional value, but also assist in the production of saliva, which acts as a natural mouthwash. Chewing sugar free gum in between meals is also a method in not only producing saliva, but also in masking odours in the mouth.

4. Regular Dentist Visits & Avoiding Smoking • A six-monthly check-up with a scale and clean at your dentist is important not only for maintaining the overall health of your mouth, but also for ensuring fresher breath long term. • These visits will not only provide a thorough clean, but also help detect oral problems that could be a source of halitosis (such as cavities). Regular check-ups will assist in catching problems before they arise prevent any emergency dental procedures further down the track. • There are many major health problems that have a direct link to smoking, and the mouth region is no exception. Not only does tobacco smoke leave a very distinctive smell on someone’s breath, but has been known to cause gum disease – creating terrible breath problems as a result.

5. Regular Brushing,Flossing & Increased Water Intake • Brushing and flossing at least twice daily is an essential routine for maintaining fresh breath, as this assists in breaking down and removing food particles and bacteria in the mouth. • Furthermore, make sure your toothbrush is up to date and not worn out, as damaged oral products will have the tendency to miss places in the mouth. Dentists recommend you switch your toothbrush over every three months to get the best results for your teeth. • Dehydration has a widespread effect on the body, and a dry mouth is an unhappy mouth. Have your ever heard of the phrase ‘morning breath?’ Increasing your water intake will increase the saliva production in your mouth while you sleep, resulting in a naturally cleaner mouth and fresher breath. • If you are having any troubles with halitosis, or would like to find out more information, please don’t hesitate to contact Redbank Plains Dental your Ipswich dentist on 07 3814 3311.