Halitosis- what it is and how we can help resolve it
Bad breath Berkshire is no less common than in most places; an estimated one in four people suffer with some form of halitosis, but social niceties often prevent it being discussed. The vast majority of cases can be resolved with diligent oral hygiene, and dietary choices like not eating onions or garlic. Smoking also causes its own distinctive form of halitosis. Only if the haliosis persists while taking the following precautions should a more serious cause be explored.
What are the causes of halitosis?
A short period of bad breath Berkshire is to be expected with certain lifestyle choices. Smokers are seemingly impervious to the scent of cigarette smoke, which will linger in their mouths for several hours after smoking. The same is true of eating strongly scented foods or crash dieting. A low or no carbohydrate diet causes ketones to be produced in the blood and which produce a foul odour when expelled from the mouth. There are also megadoses of vitamins which adversely affect your breath.
More chronic or persistent halitosis is associated with minor infections of the ear, nose and throat. In mainly younger patients, it suggests a sinus blockage with a foreign object, and tonsil stones in adolescents. If you have any gum swelling, redness or soreness this may be the cause. If so, improvements in oral hygiene and a trip to see us might be in order.
Beyond gently brushing twice a day, using mouthwash and chewing gum during the day can be helpful. If you use a denture, remove it at night for overnight cleaning. If not, trying interdental brushes can be helpful to thoroughly remove food stuck between teeth before bed. This minimises the bacterial build up in the mouth which occurs during sleep and its associated odour.
When should you see a dentist about halitosis?
After three weeks of taking steps to improve oral hygiene, and being aware of your dietary choices if the halitosis is unrelenting, we are here to help, and bad breath Berkshire is not something you have to live with. One of our dental professionals will either be able to resolve your halitosis or notice the symptoms of an underlying condition.
Possible underlying causes of halitosis
Without an obvious infection, severe gingivitis or an abscess, halitosis can be a very worrying symptom. An air soluble compound in the bloodstream can leave the body via the lungs and be exhaled, much like alcohol. This means there are a large range of halitosis causing conditions, from the sweet breath of uncontrolled diabetes, to the sulfurous rotten egg like scent of liver damage and the ammonia like tang of kidneys in distress. The chances of such an unpleasant underlying condition in a patient with no history and not in any of the risk groups is unlikely. Still, if you do have any concerns don’t hesitate to contact us.
If you would like to know more or to book a consultation, you can contact us at Old Windsor dental practice, we are here to help.
