Most people will suffer from some level of paranoia about having bad breath at some point in their lives. One issue is that when you have bad breath, you are often not aware of it. Bad breath is actually a common problem that can affect anyone at any age. It’s estimated that around one in four people is thought to suffer from bad breath on a regular basis.
There are a number of things that can cause bad breath. More often than not, it’s usually the result of poor oral hygiene. When you have bad oral hygiene, bacteria is able to build up in your mouth and the toxins produced can cause your breath to smell. It may also be the result of a medical condition which needs to be addressed.
When you eat or drink, bacteria break down pieces of food in your mouth and the gas they release can me unpleasant-smelling. If any food gets trapped on or in between your teeth it can continue to cause bad breath. Another cause for breath to smell is eating strongly flavoured foods. Things like onions and garlic can be extra smelly. Smoking and drinking alcohol can also upset the bacteria in your mouth and lead to bad breath.
Sometimes, bad breath can occur after an infection or illness, or as a result of taking certain types of medication. However, persistent bad breath can sometimes be one of the signs of gum disease.
Improving your oral hygiene is usually enough to stop bad breath. Luckily, improving your oral health is easy! Make sure you are following these 3 simple steps:
If you still have bad breath after making changes to recover your dental hygiene, you should see your dentist, dental hygienist or dental therapist. You may also need to visit your GP as there may be a medical cause that needs to be investigated.
You should never be embarrassed about having bad breath. And If you are confident that you keep your dental hygiene in check, then there could be another reason for your problem. Don’t worry about being judged if you seek medical advice – it’s nothing your dentist won’t have seen before! Being embarrassed will only make it more difficult to find out what’s causing the problem.