When you have bad breath, also known halitosis, it can really affect your life.  Recognising the causes and how to treat them can help you cure bad breath.

What is Bad Breath?

Halitosis is a bad odour emanating from the mouth. It can be temporary and may only happen every so often.  In most cases though, there is an underlying cause for halitosis.

What Can Cause Bad Breath?

There can be a number of factors causing bad breath. The problem can be as simple as what you’ve had to eat, or more complex like a medical cause. At The Dental Spa Putney we can help you determine if your halitosis symptoms are from a treatable dental condition. If on the other hand the cause comes from elsewhere we would recommend you visit your GP, for example lung, throat or sinus infections and digestive problems or gastroesophageal reflux can all cause halitosis.

Improving your Oral Health

The majority of cases of halitosis are due to poor oral hygiene, gum disease or tooth decay. Visiting one of our dental hygienists regularly and improving your home oral hygiene routine can go a long way to cure bad breath.

A hygiene clean carried out by a dental professional removes all of the calcified build-up around the teeth and under the gums.If you have gum disease, your dentist or hygienist can diagnose this and can help to get it under control.

Tips for Bad Breath

• Drink plenty of water and stay hydrated throughout the day. Keep a glass of water by your bed so that you can moisten your mouth if you wake up thirsty in the middle of the night.
• Brush your teeth twice daily.  Floss daily and use inter-dental brushes.
• Use a tongue scraper if the cause of bad breath is tongue coating.
• Visit your dentist regularly for check-ups.
• Visit your hygienist regularly for a scale and clean.
• Chew sugar-free gum.
• Avoid eating odour-causing foods like raw garlic and onions.
• Cloves, fennel seeds, and aniseeds have antiseptic qualities that help fight odour-causing bacteria.
• Fresh herbs like parsley, basil and mint can neutralise odours.
• Do not smoke our use tobacco products.

Getting Help with Your Halitosis

Your don’t have to be embarrassed or suffer in silence. If you’ve been experiencing halitosis and need help to determine its cause, call The Dental Spa Putney. We can help you pinpoint the source of your bad breath and recommend a treatment solution.