Bad breath is not pretty. Picture yourself in downward dog taking a deep breath out. Or getting cuddly with your significant other. The last thing you need is a breath complex. Did you know? One of the top causes of bad breath is gum disease? More than 700 different types of bacteria live in the average healthy mouth. When oral hygiene is neglected – for example you stop brushing and flossing, then some of these bugs can turn nasty. By doing so, your gums can start to feel puffy and bleed, you may also get bad breath. Ward off bad breath by taking care of your gums and more expert tips in this blog.

Look after your gums

Your gums are the first place to start for fresh breath. Make sure you are keeping them clean by brushing twice a day and flossing once a day. If you don’t like flossing, head to my blog about how to put flossing into action or  learn about a cool alternative to flossing in one of my other blogs. Note, it is also important to clean your tongue. Some toothbrushes now come with a tongue scraper so use that to clean the debris off your tongue. In addition to bad breath, signs to look out for are: swollen, red, tender or bleeding gums, gums that recede or move away from the teeth, persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth, loose teeth, pain when chewing, seeing pus surrounding your teeth and gums, bleeding when flossing or brushing, cold or hot sensitivity and tooth mobility that gets worse over time. TIP: see your dentist every 6 months for a check up and clean. Need a quality dentist? Call Riverstone Family Dental on 8678 3538 today. So what will your dentist do? Aside from cleaning around your teeth and gums, they will look for any areas likely to cause you problems such as misaligned or crowded teeth, braces or bridgework and will recommend solutions or specific ways for your to clean around these areas.

What’s in your mouth?

Often the foods we eat and the beverages we drink directly cause bad breath. Some foods and drinks to steer away from are: garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol, dairy foods, fish and lots of meat. Another issue related to diet is Type II diabetes. A diet high in sugar and processed foods can increase your risk of developing diabetes. This can cause issues with your gums. There has been plenty of research linking gum problems and diabetes so keep your gums and your body happy by reducing your risk of developing Type II diabetes. TIP: a cup of tea can help ward off bad breath. This is because antioxidants called polyphenols can fight bacteria which can potenitally cause bad breath and can also reduce sulfur compounds. This is especially the case for green tea. Drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps to aid digestion and neutralise acids and herbs such as parsely and basil can also ward away bad breath. Some other foods include apples, spinach, cherries, and lettuce. Chewing sugar-less chewing gum aids in stimulating saliva flow and also freshening your breath.

Check up on your insides

Fluctuating hormones, gut problems such as stomach ulcers or gastric reflux, food intolerence can all lead to bad breath. Other factors include being unwell, having blocked sinuses, a nasal drip or tonsil stones. Ketoacidosis can also lead to a ‘fruity’ breath smell. This is when you get the rapid breakdown of fat or if you have uncontrolled diabetes. TIP: look after your general health. Prevent infections from brewing and fight them early on. This is important as many problems manifest in the mouth first. See your medical doctor for regular blood tests and health checks. If you develop bad breath and your dentist cannot pin it down to an oral condition then you must see your doctor.

Give up smoking

If you smoke, you are more than likely already aware about the effect it has on your health. Smoker’s breath is another concern for many people. It is very strong and distinctive and can be difficult to manage. TIP: you can camouflage it with breath mints and tooth brushing however, the most effective way to manage smoker’s breath is to quit.

I hope you have found this blog helpful. If bad breath worries you, it is best to see your dentist for a check up and clean. Get into a routine of doing this so you can manage any oral health issues before they manifest as bad breath.

Need a modern and friendly dentist? Call my team at Riverstone Family Dental on 8678 3538.