Did you know that one of the main causes of halitosis (bad breath) is poor oral hygiene?
While some strong smelling foods such as garlic and onions can be a bit ‘on the nose’ temporarily, halitosis is generally caused by a build up of sulphur-producing bacteria on the back of your tongue or throat.
Factors contributing to halitosis include:
- cigarette smoking – smoke particles and chemicals inhaled from the cigarette are left in the mouth, throat and on the tongue;
- poor oral hygiene – food caught in between teeth, not cleaned and left to break down, harbouring bacteria;
- gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR or silent reflux);
- tooth decay and periodontitis – with linked bacteria build-up; and
- dry mouth – resulting from smoking, medication, alcohol, stress.
To address bad breath we encourage adding regular brushing of your tongue to your oral health routine and making an appointment to see your dentist to better understand the cause of your bad breath, and how to manage or prevent it. Early detection of problems is key to getting the best possible outcome for your dental health.
References:
https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/conditionsandtreatments/halitosis-or-bad-breath
https://www.ada.org.au/News-Media/News-and-Release/Media-Releases/For-health-and-a-sustainable-environment,-say-no-t