In most cases, bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. However, halitosis (the scientific term for bad breath) can be caused by other factors, which are not always manageable without the help of a dentist.
Sometimes, people are too shy to ask their dentist for help when it comes to bad breath. However, the truth is that a dentist in Subiaco, such as Kings Dental, will try to determine the cause of bad breath and see whether deeper problems are present.
What is the connection between bad breath and oral health?
For most people, halitosis is the direct result of bad oral hygiene. People who don’t brush and floss their teeth daily or even avoid visiting a dentist in Subiaco at least twice a year are more likely to develop bad breath. Halitosis may also be caused by bacteria on the tongue or existing tooth decay. Yeast infections, dry mouth and smoking can also cause bad breath and so can broken dental restorations. Halitosis can also be a side-effect of diabetes, lung and sinus infections and kidney and liver disease.
Overcoming bad breath with the help of a dentist in Subiaco
Depending on the cause of halitosis, there are actions that patients with bad breath can undertake in order to reduce or eradicate the symptoms. If bad oral hygiene is the main cause of bad breath, brushing and flossing every single day will help. Reducing the intake of smelly foods, such as garlic can help. Also, drinks containing caffeine and alcohol can cause dry mouth, which is another cause of halitosis. Staying hydrated will help saliva to wash out bacteria that can cause halitosis.
Patients with other health problems may need to undertake personalised treatment in order to prevent and treat halitosis, since good oral hygiene may not be enough alone.
For most patients, following their dentist’s advice diligently can help them to alleviate bad breath. More importantly, the practice of good oral hygiene at all times is really important, since it can eliminate so many oral problems before they even appear.