What can I do if I have Halitosis (bad breath)

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What is Halitosis? It’s the scientific definition of bad breath. It can affect your lifestyle and your self-confidence as well as your health. It’s important to identify the cause of Halitosis if you’ve got it. A few reasons as to why you might have it are:

 

  • Gum disease (also known as periodontal disease) – There are 2 types of gum disease which are Gingivitis and Periodontitis – the former is less severe than the latter. The more common of the 2 is Gingivitis which is the build up of bacteria that causes plaque to gather on your teeth. If you have a large amount of plaque build-up in your mouth, this can be the cause of your Halitosis.
  • Dry mouth – Many different types of medication are the cause of a dry mouth, as well as not drinking enough water and the frequent consumption of caffeinated drinks.
  • Disease – certain types of diseases like diabetes and other infections can be the cause of bad breath.

 

How do I cure my Halitosis?

In many cases, maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine will eliminate and keep bad breath at bay, though there are cases (for example, the ‘disease’ bullet point above), where you may need to seek medical help.

  • If you think your bad breath is serious and requires more than maintaining a healthy oral hygiene routine, be sure to make an appointment with your dentist here at Paul Lowe. We can prescribe you with antibiotics or refer you to the relevant specialist should this be necessary.
  • Brush your teeth for 2 minutes twice a day – brushing after meals can help keep bad breath away and prevent the build-up of plaque and bacteria that can be the cause of halitosis.
  • In some cases, we can provide a prescription mouthwash that will help keep your bad breath away.

 

Life after Halitosis

Although it may appear trivial and easily-solvable, many people live with Halitosis for months and years, allowing it to go untreated due to reasons such as embarrassment. We can help identify the cause of your Halitosis and aid you on your way to eliminating it. Life after Halitosis means getting your confidence back and improving your oral health and indeed your overall health.