It’s that uncomfortable moment; you’re speaking with someone and they casually keep their distance and you think, is it something I’ve said or do I just have bad breath? You breathe into your hand but even then, it’s hard to tell. It’s not the lasting impression you want to leave with another person, so why put yourself through that any longer. We recommend you book a time at our bad breath clinic for a thorough dental assessment. We can then put in place a bad breath treatment.
What Is Bad Breath?
You may be surprised to learn that almost more than 50% of the general population suffer from bad breath although this number does vary from country to country. Bad breath is also called halitosis which is an unpleasant odour coming from the mouth. A high percentage of all bad breath originates from the mouth and can be an occasional problem, or it can be a chronic condition.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Poor dental hygiene is generally the cause of bad breath however there are other factors that contribute and require bad breath treatment.
Dental Hygiene – If you don’t brush regularly or floss then food can become lodged in between teeth and gums and it becomes plaque. Plaque causes odour and worse, leads to tooth decay.
Tobacco – Smoking gives you bad breath and is associated with other health risks. Your gum issues become irritated and there’s a possibility you’ll suffer from gum disease. Since smoking dulls our sense of smell, you’ll be less able to tell if you suffer from bad breath.
Dry Mouth – Saliva is important as it assists to wash your mouth continuously and remove food particles. If there is a lack of saliva production, which happens at night while you sleep, you’ll wake up with dry mouth which contributes to morning breath. Salivary gland problems and some diseases can lead to chronic dry mouth.
Food – The usual culprits such as onion, coffee, garlic and strong smelling foods can cause bad breath.
Medications – Many prescribed medications have the side effect of dry mouth. Sometimes when the body breaks down the medication, chemicals are released that cause bad breath.
Fasting – Releasing ketones is a natural process the body goes through when dieting. Volatile sulphur compounds are the bi-product of a breakdown of proteins into specific amino acids thereby causing a bad odour.
Other Issues – Acid reflux, gastrointestinal issues, sinus issues, mouth infections and disease.
Getting a Bad Breath Treatment
In order to rule out other issues which aren’t dental related, book in with Hawthorn East Dental bad breath clinic Melbourne for your dental assessment. There’s a high chance that your bad breath can be treated by us given the high percentage of people that have bad breath linked to oral hygiene.
Until we take a look at what is going on in your mouth and consult with you on your diet, you’ll be guessing and the problem will persist.
What You Can Do About Bad Breath Before Your Appointment with Our Bad Breath Clinic Melbourne
If you’re not sure if you have bad breath, ask a trusted friend in private to check your breath.
- Avoid foods that cause bad breath
- Make sure you brush twice a day and floss
- Drink plenty of water, especially in the morning
- Chew fresh mint, basil, parsley, cilantro. The chlorophyll in green plants neutralizes odours
- Chew cloves
- Use alkaline mouth wash (no alcohol) such as bicarb in some water and a few drops of pure peppermint oil (not fragrance oil). Do not swallow.
Book in now by calling (03) 9882 6606 to get your bad breath treatment so you can talk and interact with confidence.
