What causes persistent bad breath, also known as halitosis?

Bad breath can be caused by strong flavoured food smells coming up from the stomach, but is more likely the result of gasses (VSC’s – Volatile Sulphur Compounds) being present in the mouth. These gasses are created by the process of bacteria found at the back of the tongue and /or in gingival pockets, breaking down proteins in the mouth.

The best way to prevent bad breath is to follow a good oral care routine last thing at night, and at least one other time during the day.  Most people like to do this first thing in the morning, however this is not a necessity. We recommend starting your routine by cleaning between your teeth using a floss or interdental brush, followed by brushing with a fluoride toothpaste for 2 minutes.  In order to remove the optimum amount of bacteria from your mouth, you can add into your routine using a mouthwash (we recommend using the mouthwash before brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste).

You can also choose to supplement your oral care routine with the use of a tongue cleaner. Tongue cleaners can be bought as separate items, or are included on the reverse of the head of some toothbrushes.  You may also wish to use a fresh breath spray throughout the day, or you could swish your mouth with mouthwash. However, this should be used in addition to, not instead of, a proper oral care routine.

 

 

 

If you are following a rigorous oral care routine but are still encountering problems, there may be another cause.

If you suffer from a dry mouth, the lack of saliva in the mouth can be responsible for bad breath. As there is insufficient saliva, the mouth can not adequately wash away unpleasant smelling food particles and bacteria. If you are dehydrated, or have been consuming too much alcohol, this can reduce the amount of saliva your body produces.

As well as all its other harmful side effects, smoking is often a cause of bad breath and should be avoided.

Bad breath can indicate that you have an infection either in your mouth or in other areas of the body. For example, bad breath can be a symptom of the following diseases;- bronchitis, respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, diabetes, liver or kidney problems.

If you suffer from persistent bad breath, you should consult you dentist or GP to determine if there is an underlying issue which is causing the problem.