Bad Breath Treatment in Melbourne

Bad breath aka Halitosis in adults is a common condition. It may have oral or non-oral sources of origin and have more than just social consequences. Halitosis reflects serious local or systemic conditions, including gingivitis, periodontal disease, diabetic acidosis, hepatic failure, or respiratory infection. Worse yet, a person with bad breath is normally unaware that they have it until someone tells them.

There are two types of halitosis: transitory and chronic.

• Transitory halitosis is caused by foods such as onions or garlic, but only lasts 24–72 hours.
• Chronic halitosis does not improve with time and breath fresheners and supermarket mouthwashes only camouflage the problem for a few hours. The odour of halitosis results when bacteria in the mouth, teeth and tongue cause the formation of volatile sulphur compounds. These compounds produce different smell.

What are some of the common smells?

• Fruity smell may indicate uncontrolled diabetes due to an increase in the proportion of ketones and acetone.
• Rotten egg smell may indicate that the patient suffers from liver cirrhosis due to an increase in the amount of ammonium in their breath.
• Fishy smell may indicate that the patient is suffering from kidney insufficiency due to an increase in the amount of urea that gives the smell of fish.

So what can you do to keep Bad Breath away?

• • Visit Your Dentist Regularly 
    Regular dental checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease, tooth decay or dry mouth and stop them before they become more serious. Areas where food can trap between teeth and broken fillings lead to a build up of bacteria and therefore bad breath.
  • Brush and Floss
    Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth daily with floss to get rid of all that bacteria that’s causing your bad breath.
  • Tongue cleaning
    Having stated that most odours originate in the mouth, studies show that 50% of oral bacteria live on the surface of your tongue. Brushing the surface of your tongue with a tongue scraper removes these bacteria.
  • Mouthwash
    Over-the-counter mouthwashes can help kill bacteria or neutralize and temporarily mask bad breath
  • Clean Your Dentures
    If you wear removable dentures, take them out at night, and clean them thoroughly before using them again the next morning.
  • Keep That Saliva Flowing
    To get more saliva moving in your mouth, try eating healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, like carrots or apples. You can also try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candies.
  • Quit Smoking
    Giving up this dangerous habit is good for your body in many ways. Not only will you have better breath, you’ll have a better quality of life.

If you are concerned about your own or your partner’s breath, speak to us.

We’ll advise you on how to take the best care of your oral health and put you on the road to fresh breath.