Bad breath, “halitosis” to your Thornton Dental dentist, can result from poor oral hygiene habits or may be a sign of overall health problems.
And it’s hard to say which is worse—knowing you have bad breath, or having bad breath and not knowing it.
And that is surprisingly possible, as sufferers of bad breath most often cannot smell it themselves!
Unfortunately, bad breath can harm your social life, intimate relationships, and self-esteem. At Thornton Dental, we can help you determine if you have bad breath and if you do, what is causing it and how you can conquer it.
Why Are We Sometimes Unaware We Have Bad Breath?
Unfortunately, many people learn they have bad breath after a comment from an honest friend or an embarrassing occurrence in which someone shies away. There are ways to tell if you have bad breath, however.
For instance, floss your teeth with unscented dental floss and take a sniff for yourself. Or, you can lick your hand and smell the saliva on it. If there is an unpleasant odour on the floss or wrist, it’s likely that those around you smell the same thing on your breath.
If you are unsure about your breath, ask us at Thornton Dental. Not only can we tell you the truth about your breath, but we can also determine the cause and suggest treatments.
Causes Of Bad Breath
There are many causes of bad breath. Here are some of the most common.
Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odour. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
Poor oral hygiene. If you don’t brush and floss daily and well, food remains in your mouth, leading to bad breath as a transparent, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth.
Your tongue can also catch odour-causing bacteria. Dentures that aren’t cleaned properly or don’t fit snugly can also trap odour-causing bacteria and food particles.
Dry mouth. Dry mouth occurs if you haven’t been drinking enough water or if you have been sleeping or travelling, or any other case in which your body slows down saliva production.
Strenuous workouts can also cause dry mouth, breathing through your mouth, and some diseases and medications.
Poor diet. The simplest case is garlic or onion breath, or the odour of a smoker. In addition, fasting or crash-dieting can cause bad breath as the body breaks down fat and releases ketones, which can be smelled.
Digestive Issues. Digestive issues can cause bad breath. Acid reflux allows food odours to make their way back up the esophagus and out the mouth, creating bad breath.
Prescription Medication. Hundreds of prescription medications come with the side effect of dry mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, check your medication side effects.
Other Causes. Bad breath can be a sign of other diseases as well. Postnasal drip, respiratory and tonsil infections, sinus issues, liver and kidney ailments, diabetes, as well as blood disorders can cause bad breath.
In some cases, bad breath can be a sign of cancer or other serious conditions.
Can I Prevent Bad Breath At Home?
Yes, you can begin your fight against bad breath at home. To keep your breath fresh, you need to eliminate gum disease and keep your mouth clean and fresh. Brush your teeth and gums before bed and at least one other time during the day.
Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, or use a tongue scraper. Floss or use ‘interdental’ brushes at least once a day. Chew sugar-free gum – it helps your mouth produce saliva and stops the “dry mouth” that can lead to bad breath.
How Thornton Dental Can Help
If dental issues cause your mouth odour, and it is in most cases, your Thornton Dental dentist can start to treat the cause of the problem with cleaning or scraping. If bad breath is related to gum disease, that condition can be addressed in our office.
If you have an extensive build-up of plaque, an invisible layer of bacteria, we may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse. Once your bad breath has been controlled, we will recommend a regular schedule of visits to our office for routine check-ups and cleans.
In this way, you can ensure that bad breath does not return!
Why Choose Thornton Dental?
Our mission is to make dentistry affordable, without sacrificing quality of care.
- Our focus is on patient care
- A friendly, approachable, and skilled team
- Child-friendly, relaxing environment
- Patient safety, comfort, and satisfaction are our goals
- We customise treatment to your specific needs
- Integrity, high standards, premium quality materials
- Anxiety control and pain management
Thornton Dental serves the community of Thornton, Beresfield, Tarro, Woodberry, East Maitland, Chisholm, Raymond Terrace, Green Hills, Metford, Ashtonfield, Tenambit, Morpeth, Lorn, Bolwarra Heights, and surrounding areas of Maitland.
Call (02) 4966 2996 or visit us at 9/1 Taylor Ave in Thornton.
