Halitosis is a medical term for bad breath. It is derived from the Latin word ‘Halitus’ meaning breath or exhalation and the Greek suffix ‘Osis’ meaning diseased or condition. Bad breath is estimated to affect 1 in 4 people globally. Having bad breath can have a large impact on your social life.
Halitosis can be a temporary thing but it should be taken seriously when you are having bad breath during most of the day and even after brushing your teeth. Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem to have and it can be a sign of a more serious problem. There are many causes of bad breath but the most important one is poor oral hygiene. Cause of Bad Breath (Halitosis):
The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. Our mouth is a host of millions of bacteria. The presence of bacteria in your mouth is not only normal but it's actually vital for all sorts of things like digestion and disease prevention. Like all living things, bacteria need to eat. The bacteria in your mouth feed off of mucus, food remains, and dead cells. These bacteria break down the organic matter into much smaller molecules and release gasses that cause bad breath.
The bacteria in your mouth thrive more in oxygen-deprived conditions. The odour is mainly composed of the waste of bacteria, the decay of food particles, and other debris left in your mouth from poor oral hygiene. The decay in that debris produces a Sulphur compound that is responsible for the bad odour. Prevention of Bad Breath:
Here are some tips for prevention of Bad Breath:
1. Follow proper oral hygiene By following proper oral hygiene you can permanently prevent bad breath. Bad breath is caused by an overgrowth of bacteria in the mouth. The number one factor that results in overgrowth of bacteria is poor oral hygiene and by removing this factor you can prevent halitosis. Proper oral hygiene will create an unfriendly environment for bacteria and reduce the growth of it. 2. Brushing your teeth Brush your teeth twice a day and for at least two minutes. You can even use an electric toothbrush that is more efficient at removing plaque and food build-up from your teeth due to the vibrations. 3. Flossing and mouthwash Flossing your teeth is an important step in your oral hygiene. It removes food particles and plaque from places between your teeth where the toothbrush cannot reach. After flossing, rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash. Avoid using an alcohol-based mouthwash as it can dry out your mouth. 4. Brushing your tongue The major place where bacteria resides in your mouth is the back part of your tongue. After brushing your teeth always brush the back part of your tongue with soft bristles of your toothbrush. Removing the bacteria from the back of your tongue will help to kill bacteria. 5. Avoid dry mouth Bacteria thrive and overpopulate in a dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, it's not producing the saliva required to flush away the bacteria from your gums, teeth, and tongue. Dry mouth is usually caused by not drinking enough water, being on an empty stomach, skipping meals, overusing mouthwashes or using harsh mouthwashes with a lot of alcohol that dries out your mouth. The best way to fight dry mouth is to not skip meals and make sure the mouthwashes you use are alcohol-free. You can also stimulate the saliva production by chewing sugar-free gum. 6. Visit your dentist regularly Visit your dentist regularly for professional oral check-ups. Your dentist will thoroughly check your teeth, mouth, gums, and tongue for any problems. Avoiding regular dental check-ups can lead to a more serious problem in future. If you have consistent bad breath, and need a dentist in Burlington to cure your Bad Breath problem then visit Desired Smiles. For more information call us at 905 637-5463 or get in touch with us at [email protected].
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Your teeth are the first thing that people notice when you smile. If you have yellow or stained teeth then it can leave a bad impression or make you conscious about your smile.
For your perfect smile and teeth, it is very important to follow proper oral hygiene. Oral hygiene is the habit of keeping one's mouth and teeth clean and free of various diseases and problems. Oral hygiene should be carried out on a regular basis for prevention of various dental problems. Here are some tips for good dental health:1. Brushing Brushing your teeth regularly is an important step to fight off various dental diseases and problems. It is very important to brush twice a day: in morning and at night before going to sleep. It is advised to change your toothbrush every 2 months, replacing your toothbrush will increase the effectiveness of cleaning. Always brush for at least two minutes to effectively clean your teeth. It is also important to choose the right toothbrush for your needs; one should select a toothbrush with soft bristles. Soft bristles will effectively clean your teeth without harming your gums. Never brush your teeth with too much pressure and never over brush your teeth. Use a circular motion while brushing your teeth. After brushing your teeth rinse your toothbrush with hot water and store it away from the toilet. 2. Toothpaste Choose the right toothpaste which has fluoride content in it. Fluoride in your toothpaste is an important mineral to strengthen and nourish your teeth and to fight off tooth decay and other dental problems. You can also choose from various toothpastes if you have sensitive teeth. Always ask your dentist for recommendations on the best toothpaste for your teeth. 3. Flossing Flossing is an important practice to follow in your oral care regimen. Always floss your teeth at least once a day. Flossing removes food particles which are trapped between your teeth which can’t be cleaned by your toothbrush alone. It helps in reducing plaque build-up and prevents tooth decay and gum problems. Use waxed floss if you have a hard time sliding the floss between your teeth. 4. Mouthwash After brushing and flossing; rinse your mouth with antibacterial mouthwash. Don’t use alcohol-based mouthwash as it can dry your mouth and overpopulate the anaerobic bacteria in your mouth which can cause bad breath. 5. Tongue cleaning Always clean the back side of your tongue twice a day with the soft bristles of your toothbrush as it’s a major place for bacteria and causes bad breath. You can even use a tongue scrapper for effectively cleaning your tongue. Take a small dab of toothpaste and softly use your toothbrush to clean your tongue with gentle pressure. 6. Follow a healthy diet By following a healthy diet you will keep your mouth and teeth healthy too. Apples are an ideal choice to eat after meals as it can help clean your teeth. Avoid eating foods that have high sugar or acid content and foods that stick to your teeth after eating such as candies, potato chips, and soft drinks. Avoid drinking too much coffee as it can stain your teeth. 7. Visit your dentist Visit your dentist regularly. It is recommended to visit your dentist twice a year even when you don’t have any problems. In addition to a great daily dental hygiene routine be sure to visit your dentist as he or she can keep an eye out for tooth decay, gum diseases or other dental problems and can clean all the hard to reach places you might be missing. Visit Desired Smiles for a professional oral check-up and book an appointment now to get a Free Smile Analysis. For more information call us at 905 637-5463 or get in touch with us at [email protected]. |
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