Are you suffering with bad breath?

Anyone can be affected by bad breath, also known as halitosis. It can be embarrassing but the good news is that it's usually treatable!

Don't ignore bad breath

There are many possible causes of bad breath. Among them are tooth decay, periodontal (gum) disease, dry mouth (xerostemia), tobacco use, certain foods and illness. It can also be a side effect of some types of medications. Sometimes bad breath is a symptom of a more serious condition such as diabetes, sinusitis or a liver ailment.

Where does bad breath come from?

Bad breath usually begins when bacteria breaks down food debris in your mouth. The bacteria that cause bad breath require an oxygen-free environment to survive, so they are usually found between your teeth and within the grooves of your tongue. As the bacteria break down the food debris they release volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds produce the bad breath.

How to avoid bad breath

The key to avoiding bad breath is eliminating it at its source. The first thing you can do is to come see us for a professional cleaning so that we can thoroughly remove the plaque and tartar where odor-causing bacteria thrive. We will show you how to brush and floss properly, and we can also provide you with a tongue scraper and special antibacterial rinse if necessary.

Acids found in food and beverages can have a harmful affect on your teeth. Each tooth has a hard protective layer called the enamel. When acidic foods come in contact with this enamel, they can make it soft. When this happens repeatedly, your enamel can wear away and can never be restored naturally.

You can also get more cavities if you regularly eat foods with high acidity. It's impossible to make a complete list, as acidic foods are found everywhere, but following are some of the more common acidic foods and beverages: Beer, Beef, Soft drinks, Coffee, Fish, Lamb, Pasta, White Flour, Table Salt, Pork and White Bread. Even grazing on fruits and vegetables slowly throughout the day can expose your teeth to acid damage.

Bacteria in your mouth, which feeds on sugars, can also create acid. The best way to avoid acid damage is to avoid snacking continuously throughout the day. Rinsing and flossing, and chewing sugar free gum is also helpful. Brushing right after eating acidic foods though, can actually damage the teeth, because the enamel is soft from the acid. If you want to balance the acidity in your mouth....eat more nuts and dairy products.