Take my (bad) breath away
With National Fresh Breath Day promotes the importance of an effective oral hygiene routine that keeps your mouth clean, which is particularly essential in the fight against bad breath.
Having fresh breath can increase your confidence, especially in social situations. Whether on a first date, in a job interview or working in a role that involves face-to-face interactions, having fresh breath gives you one less thing to worry about.
Bad breath basics
In medical terms, bad breath is known as halitosis. It can be caused by several factors, chiefly:
· Poor oral hygiene
· Eating strong-smelling or spicy foods
· Alcohol
· Health conditions (dry mouth, tonsillitis)
· Smoking
But what actually causes the unpleasant odour? There are a few different chemical reactions that are responsible for causing bad breath. One cause is from the breaking down of food particles that are often trapped between the teeth. Bacteria reacts with the trapped, decaying food to produce the bad smell. Plaque, the yellow substance that sticks to your teeth, also causes malodorous.
For infamously smelly foods such as garlic, onion or tuna, the chemistry is different. When eaten, your stomach absorbs oils from these foods. These oils end up in your bloodstream and travel to your lungs to be breathed out.[i] Bad breath from certain foods sometimes lasts up to 72 hours.
Saliva secrets
Dry mouth is a condition that may be caused from reduced saliva levels. This dries the mouth out and releases an unpleasant odour. Dry mouth can be a medical condition that prevents sufferers from naturally producing enough saliva, but it can also be caused by dehydration. Drinking large amounts of alcohol, especially on hot days, can dehydrate you. Less saliva is released and bad breath occurs. To beat this, drink water in between alcoholic beverages – or limit/avoid alcohol consumption altogether!
An effective way of stimulating saliva production is through chewing sugar-free gum. Chewing gum has two benefits: it increases saliva production to keep the mouth clean, and it can mask the smell (especially if it is a strong flavour like peppermint or cinnamon).[ii] Sugar-free gum will also reduce the risk of tooth decay, so it is a great idea to always have a pack with you.
Breaking bad breath
The best way to beat bad breath is maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine. This should consist of brushing twice daily for 2 minutes and using floss or interdental brushes to clean between your teeth at least once a day.
Routine dental visits help you to maintain a fresh and clean mouth. Rodericks Dental Partners has exceptional practices nationwide, providing excellent patient care to keep your teeth and gums in optimal condition.
Our dentists also offer comprehensive advice for effective methods to employ at home to achieve excellent oral hygiene. Take a look at our practice locator and contact your local practice to book an appointment today.
On August 6th, share your fresh breath with the rest of the country and show the importance of having good oral hygiene.
References
[i] Healthline. (2020). Bad Breath (Halitosis). [online] Available at: https://www.healthline.com/health/bad-breath#causes.
[ii] www.colgate.com. (n.d.). 5 Quick Fixes to Cure Bad Breath | Colgate®. [online] Available at: https://www.colgate.com/en-gb/oral-health/bad-breath/5-quick-fixes-for-constant-bad-breath-0516 [Accessed 2 Jul. 2024].
