Halitosis; oral health and bad breath treated at Old Windsor
It has been somewhat of a social stigma for decades and today we are going to delve right into it; halitosis!
It is one of those things that most people worry about at some point, but are also too polite to mention. And unfortunately, most people have had the experience of meeting someone who has halitosis to some degree.
But if someone tells you that you have halitosis, it can feel like a bit of a shock as, like most things, it is easy to detect in others but not so easy to detect with yourself. Luckily, our team can help!
When it comes to oral health and bad breath Berkshire, our team at Old Windsor leads the way with preventive treatments to keep your mouth healthy and your breath fresh. We firmly believe in education and prevention as the best treatment for all oral health issues and will always aim to inform our patients on the best way to care for their teeth and to prevent offensive breath. Great!
So, with oral health and bad breath Berkshire in mind, what exactly is halitosis and how can we help you to prevent it? Read on to find out!
What is halitosis?
In simple terms, halitosis is another word for persistent bad breath.
Most people will suffer from it at one time or another, and it can be due to something as simple as being inadequately hydrated or eating smelly foods, like garlic or chilli.
However, if you have halitosis every day while also maintaining good oral hygiene, it can be a sign that you need to book an appointment with our team at Old Windsor.
What causes it?
As we mentioned before, there are many causes of bad breath if you eat certain foods or engage in lifestyle choices like smoking or drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.
However, there is a link between oral health and bad breath Berkshire and if you have persistent bad breath, our team will examine your mouth for a cause. In our experience, halitosis is often caused by excessive amounts of plaque on your teeth and gums, which as it reproduces, emits odours that are bad.
There can be other medical causes relating to dental health, such as tooth decay or abscesses. You may also be suffering from a condition known as gastrointestinal reflux disease (or GERD) which can exacerbate bad breath. For this, we will offer a fluoride sealant on the backs of your teeth to protect them from exposure to acid.
How do we treat it?
If you have halitosis caused by excessive levels of plaque, we will aim to remove it.
We will usually book you an appointment with our on-site hygienist, who will perform a scale and polish, with the aim of removing plaque above and below the gum line.
If you have active gum disease, we may recommend this treatment every 6 months, but for most people, you can visit our hygienist annually.
Prevention long term
Preventing halitosis starts with good oral hygiene; brush twice daily, floss and aim to see our team biannually.
Keep an eye open for signs of gum disease and, if possible, aim to reduce smoking or drinking alcohol, which are the leading causes of halitosis in those without gum disease.
