Bad breath may be joked about at times but for those that suffer from halitosis on a regular basis this can be a serious and embarrassing problem. The majority of sufferers just do their best to avoid breathing on anyone but in some cases having ongoing bad breath can even cause anxiety.
For some sufferers of this affliction, no amount of brushing, flossing and rinsing can alleviate the odour. If this is the case, then a visit to a dentist in Liverpool may be on the cards. Dental clinics such as Liverpool Smile Studio are happy to discuss some of the reasons thatmay be the cause of this problem.
Reasons behind bad breath
There are a few reasons why some people have bad breath.
The first one is poor oral hygiene. When a person does not have a regular and good oral hygiene routine, then bacteria on their teeth starts to build-up. These bacteria will eventually release a gas that gives the breath an unpleasant odour.
We are what we eat. Some strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions can affect our breath, as well as unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking or chewing tobacco, which can also play a part in causing bad breath.
Gum disease can be a contributing factor. This is the build-up of plaque,which can also cause dental decay. Regular visits to the dentist can remove this build-up and not only prevent bad breath but prevent further gum disease.
Bad breath can also be a symptom of other illnesses such as respiratory tract infections, nasal or stomach conditions.
How to combat bad breath
A dentist in Liverpool will need to make an assessment to find the cause of the bad breath. If the cause is not of oral origin, the dentist will refer the patient to their family doctor. The majority of cases though fall back to poor oral hygiene so a dentist in Liverpool will provide a professional cleaning and then advise on the best oral hygiene practice. Brushing and flossing twice a day, regular visits to the dentist, drinking lots of water to keep the mouth moist. These are a few tips to maintain sweet-smelling breath.