 Bad
Breath
If you fear that you have bad breath (halitosis), there are some
things that you can do:
Go for a check up. If you have not been to see
your dental hygienist
or dentist in over 6 months, you might be harbouring harmful bacteria
in accumulated tartar (calculus) deposits on your teen, you might
have gum disease (gingivitis)
/ periodontal disease, or you may have undetected cavities or abscesses.
Your dentist or dental hygienist may recommend you see your doctor
to rule out systemic causes.
Brush and floss
your teeth regularly and properly. These are the best ways
to eliminate bacteria that lives on the teeth, between the teeth
and under the gums. The bacteria can survive by feasting on food
left in hard to reach areas and the by-product that remains is a
volatile sulphur compound (VSC) that is responsible for the bad
breath odour.
Clean your tongue. Gently scraping your tongue
with a spoon, brushing with your toothbrush or using a tongue cleaner
will help clean the deeper grooves in the tongue that hide bacteria
and that may contribute to bad breath. If you smoke, clean your
tongue daily and have your dental hygienist or dentist examine it
regularly for lesions. Try to quit smoking for your general health
too.
Make healthy
food choices and drink plenty of water. Crunchy vegetables
and fruits will stimulate the flow of saliva. Saliva is important
for cleansing the teeth and gums of bacteria that causes odour.
Water will also stimulate saliva neutralize acid caused by the bacteria
and will wash away food particles. It will also assist with dry
mouth (xerostomia) which can contribute to the odour
Sugar free gum can help. There is nothing like
a good brushing and flossing after a meal but if you are away from
home, chewing a piece of sugar free gum will stimulate saliva flow
and reduce the VSC (volatile sulphur compounds). Gum with Xylitol
has been shown to help prevent cavities, too.
Check out a breath clinic for extra help. There
are clinics available in many cities which deal only with oral malodours
(bad breath). If you are unable to solve your problem on your own,
this might be the next step to solving your problem.
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