How to banish the bad breath blues
Poor oral hygiene can be a source of embarrassment and Maria Croce finds steps you can take to prevent it happening
YOU may not be able to get too up close and personal with people outside of your household just yet – but if you’re worried about bad breath, you should tackle it now.
Dental hygienist Anna Middleton said: “The most common cause of bad breath, also known as halitosis, is poor oral hygiene.”
She says a build-up of food that isn’t removed every day can affect your breath and lead to an increased risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Anna’s tips on banishing bad breath come from looking at possible causes:
1. Gum disease
If your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you have bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth, it could be gum disease caused by a build-up of plaque on teeth and gums. If this isn’t treated, the bone in your jaw may be damaged, spaces can open between the gum and teeth and your teeth could fall out.
How to treat it: Visit your hygienist for a clean and tailored oral hygiene plan. 2. You’re not drinking enough water
Dehydration can cause bad breath as bacteria that live in the mouth tend to multiply as the mouth dries out. How to treat it: Aim to drink two litres of water per day.
3. You have a low-carb diet
Cutting down on carbs and upping your protein intake can lead to bad breath.
When the body breaks down fat for energy, it creates ketones which can make your breath smell. How to treat it: See your GP.
4. You’re diabetic
When a person has diabetes, their body either doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t use insulin effectively.
Usually, insulin breaks down glucose to provide energy. If the body can’t get its energy from glucose, it starts burning fat for fuel instead producing “ketones”, which can increase the acidity of the blood.
How to treat it: Seek guidance from your GP. 5. You’re on medication
Some medications can cause a dry mouth, which can contribute to bad breath. These include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, sleeping tablets, diuretics and antihistamines.
How to treat it: Stay hydrated and see your GP. 6. You love coffee
Caffeine in coffee can dry out your mouth and decrease saliva allowing bacteria to thrive.
How to treat it: Opt for tea or drink water after coffee and use sugar-free mints or gum. 7. You snore
Saliva production decreases when we sleep, causing dry mouth and bad breath. If you snore or have sleep apnoea, you may have severe drying of the mouth because of breathing through your mouth rather than your nose.
How to treat it: Seek guidance from your GP 8. You skip meals
A lack of food and fluid slows down saliva production which can contribute to bacterial growth in the mouth.
How to treat it: Stay hydrated. 9. You smoke
Tobacco causes bad breath, staining, loss of taste and gum irritation. People who smoke can suffer from gum disease. How to treat it: Seek advice to quit.
10. You’re stressed
There’s a link between stress and gum disease as you might not look after your teeth and suffer from a dry mouth. How to treat it: Stay hydrated and try stress management techniques
11. You drink alcohol
Alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it dehydrates you and dries out your mouth.
A reduction in saliva production limits the ability for your mouth to self-clean, causing bacteria to thrive. How to treat it: Don’t exceed 14 units of alcohol per week.