Bad breath is a problem that plagues most people at one point in their life – but what if bad breath becomes a constant problem? We all know what it’s like to talk to someone with bad breath. You want to shy away – stop the conversation where it is and just say ‘hey man, have a tic tac’ but for social reasons you really just can’t. If you feel like you have constant bad breath then take a look at the reasons below, because there’s more to it than just brushing properly. Bad oral hygiene Okay, there may be more to beautiful breath than brushing but it’s still the foundation of a minty mouth. The mistake that most people make is that they don’t brush thoroughly enough or for long enough. The recommended length of time for brushing your teeth is two minutes and you should brush the front and back of your teeth as well as your tongue. Now we’re going to say something a little controversial – the ‘f word’. Yes you guessed it – FLOSS. Floss is something that really you should be doing every day, as it removes left over food that your tooth brush may not be able to reach. This is what will hugely reduce your risk of gum disease. ONIONS! Obviously not just onions but lots of foods can cause bad breath. Some of the biggest offenders include: Garlic Eggs Coffee Alcohol So really we don’t recommend any of these before a date or an important meeting. Untreated disease If you have chronic bad breath then it is possible that you have an underlying problem known as periodontitis. Periodontitis or gum disease is a problem that affects the gums and can cause rapid decay in the teeth. Tobacco We probably don’t need to tell you that cigarettes have a pungent odour and therefore can give you bad breath. The same goes for tobacco that you can chew. Tobacco not only results in bad breath but is also terrible for your dental health as it can increase your risk of dry mouth and gum disease. Dry mouth Saliva is responsible for cleansing your teeth in between meals and re-coating them so they’re protected against cavities. If you do not have enough saliva you will be at a higher risk of tooth decay as your teeth will not have as much protection as they should. Illness (cold and the flu) The mucus and bacteria that is present while you have a cold or flu can contribute to bad breath. This should pass after you get better and you should also replace your toothbrush as soon as you’re better. How do I fix bad breath? There really isn’t any permanent quick fix but there are temporary fixes. To improve your breath you will need to continue to brush your teeth and mouth thoroughly including your tongue so that all bad bacteria are eliminated. Anti-bad breath tips Anti-bacterial mouthwash Clean your teeth and mouth more thoroughly See a dentist for an examination and diagnosis Temporary fixes like gum, mouth spray Constant Bad breath treatment Sydney As listed above if all else fails please come and see your dentist at Hyde Park Dental Care for a diagnosis and recommendation. We are happy to assess your condition during a general check-up. If you have any more questions please contact us or call us on 02 8520 2042. Don’t forget to share this via Twitter, Google+, Pinterest and LinkedIn.