You’ve probably noticed that some people’s breath smells terrible and that talking with them is unpleasant. And then you’ve been stabbed with worry about whether your breath smells terrible as well!
There are a couple of ways you can check – apart from asking someone. The first is to lick the inside of your wrist, wait until it dries, and then smell it. Another is to lightly scrape the back of your tongue with a spoon and then smell it.
If you are not happy with the results, please come visit us at your Dentist Epping, and we will investigate to find the cause. Then we can advise you about how to deal with it – or fix it if it is a dental issue.
Some halitosis is the result of poor oral hygiene. If that’s the case, it’s really up to you to carefully brush your teeth twice a day for a couple of minutes with fluoride toothpaste using a soft toothbrush – but not immediately after an acidic fruit or drink. And floss your teeth daily. The added benefit of this regime is that you are less likely to suffer from dental problems too.
Some halitosis comes from dental problems, like gum disease, cavities, abscesses, old fillings, faulty restorations, loose & dirty dentures, and impacted wisdom teeth. These are things that we can help you with at our Dentist Epping!
Regular six-monthly dental check-ups are also helpful, as they allow us to catch any issues that might lead to halitosis and other dental health issues later.
Crash dieting can cause halitosis, as can lots of intensely flavoured food and drink; onion, garlic, coffee, and alcohol can be the culprits. If that’s the case, we encourage you to have a nutritious and balanced diet, limiting spices, intensely flavoured foods, acidic/or sugary drinks. Limit caffeine and alcohol. Avoid sticky, sugary snacks between meals and limit sugary foods generally. Ensure you drink plenty of water – preferably from your tap. Your general health and oral health will benefit, as well as any halitosis you may have!
Some halitosis comes from smoking. We encourage you to quit smoking! Apart from halitosis, it makes you susceptible to gum disease and many other horrible health issues.
Some halitosis comes from having a dry mouth or perhaps from some medicines (tranquilisers, chemotherapy medication, or drugs for angina). It can be related to some medical conditions (diabetes, respiratory tract infections, tonsilitis, gastroesophageal reflux, or liver & kidney disorders.)
If one of these is suspected, we will advise you about your options.
So, you can see that halitosis is more than an unfortunate social problem! It is an indication that something in your mouth or body is not working as it should. By investigating it, you get the opportunity, potentially, to do something about it. We at your Dentist Epping will be more than happy to help you with that.
To find out more, please click the link for an appointment for a consultation:
