Oral Hygiene

Most people have bad breath problems at some time or another, and in nine out of ten cases the cause originates within the mouth. Bad breath can be a social problem, unpleasant for others and embarrassing for the person who has it. Research shows that it may also indicate gum disease, such as gingivitis or periodontitis. Therefore, a comprehensive oral hygiene regime is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh.
The bacteria on our teeth and gums (plaque) also cause gum disease and tooth decay. Visiting your dentist regularly will not only help you to achieve fresher breath, but will also allow the dentist to check for and treat gum disease and tooth decay.

Lots of small signals can show that you have bad breath. Have you noticed people stepping away when you start to talk?

If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Simply lick the inside of your unscented wrist and sniff – if the smell is bad, you can be pretty sure that your breath is too.

If you do have bad breath, you will need to start a routine for keeping your mouth clean and fresh. Regular check-ups will allow your dentist to watch out for any areas where plaque is caught between your teeth. Your dentist or hygienist will be able to clean all those areas that are difficult to reach. They will also be able to show you the best way to clean your teeth and gums, and show you any areas you may be missing, including your tongue.
One of the early warning signs of gum disease is that you may have bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. Again, your dentist or hygienist will be able to see and treat the problem during your regular check-ups. The earlier the problems are found, the more effective the treatment will be.

To keep your breath fresh, gum disease (if present) must be treated and an effective oral hygiene regime adopted. Also, drink water often and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. If you do have bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you are taking, which could be adding to the problem. Take this diary to your dentist who may be able to suggest ways to resolve your bad breath.

Brush your teeth and gums twice a day, and don't forget to cleanse your tongue as well. Use dental floss once a day for cleaning between your teeth. There are other products you can buy to clean between your teeth. These are called 'interdental cleaners'.

If you wear dentures, take them out at night to give your mouth a chance to rest. Do not clean them with toothpaste as it will scratch the surface and more stains will build up. They will also lose their shine. Hold them over a bowl of water or a towel in case you drop them. Clean them thoroughly with a denture cream, denture-cleaning tablet or denture-cleaning powder. Use a denture brush kept just for this purpose. Remember to clean the surfaces that fit against your gums and palate. This will make sure your dentures are always fresh and clean, and avoid the plaque build-up on the dentures that may cause bad breath.

There are many specialised oral care products available, which come as toothpaste, oral rinse and in a spray. Using these will help you clean your teeth, give you fresher breath and the confidence to keep you smiling all day long. These products are designed to eliminate, not mask, odour-causing compounds. Ask your dentist for details.
The specialist products contain a safe, effective, antibacterial formula to fight plaque and, as part of a daily oral hygiene programme, will help keep your mouth healthy, clean and fresh.

Mouth Rinses
You have the choice between those containing alchohol, or not, with sweetener or without and flavoured or non-flavoured. Most mouth rinses are designed to last up to eight hours.

Oral Sprays
Are convenient for your pocket, handbag, car or whenever you are away from the bathroom and want reassurance of fresh breath.

Toothpaste
Some do not contain sodium lauryl sulphate (a foaming detergent) and are therefore non-foaming. This means your mouth does not fill up with suds, as is the case with most normal toothpastes, and you can continue cleaning your teeth for longer, which is preferred by many dental professionals.

Even in the cleanest mouth, odour-causing molecules known as Volatile Sulphur Compounds (VSC) are constantly being produced by the natural breakdown of bacteria, human cells and food debris.

Ordinary toothpastes and mouthwashes only cover up these compounds with a more pleasant smell or flavour. The VSC are still present, causing odour in the mouth. However, the ingredients in the specialist toothpastes, oral rinses and sprays actually change the structure of the VSC molecules, rendering them odourless.

With regular use, the specialist oral care range can help assure you of cleaner teeth, a healthier mouth and fresher breath.

Bad breath can also be caused by some medical problems. Dry mouth (xerostomia) is a condition that affects the flow of saliva. This causes bacteria to build up in the mouth, leading to bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by some medicines, salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Also, older people naturally produce less saliva.

If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may be able to recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product or suggest other ways of dealing with the problem.
Other medical conditions that cause bad breath include infections in the throat, nose or lungs, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes or liver or kidney problems. If your dentist finds that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family GP or a specialist to find out the cause of your bad breath. Remember, only 10% of bad breath problems originate from outside the mouth.

Tobacco also causes its own form of bad breath. The only solution in this case is to stop smoking. As well as making your breath smell, smoking causes staining, loss of taste and irritates the gums. People who smoke are more likely to suffer from gum disease and also have a greater risk of developing cancer of the mouth, lung cancer and heart disease. Ask your dentist, pharmacist or practice nurse for help in quitting. If you do stop smoking, but still have bad breath, then you need to see your dentist or GP for advice.

Chances are we all know someone who has bad breath, but very few people feel brave enough to discuss the problem. It is obviously a very delicate matter to tell someone they have bad breath. There is always the risk that they will be offended or embarrassed and may never speak to you again!

However, it is always worth remembering that the bad breath may be the result of any number of problems. Once the person knows they have bad breath, they can deal with whatever is causing it. You could try talking to their partner or a family member, as the bad breath may be caused by a medical condition, which is already being treated.

You may like to tell a friend about this website. Remember, the bad news is that oral malodour is a serious social plight and can sometimes be an indication that there is something medically amiss. The good news, however, is that it is treatable!

Gum disease describes swelling, soreness or infection of the tissues supporting the teeth. There are two main forms of gum disease: gingivitis and periodontal disease.

Gingivitis means inflammation of the gums. This is when the gums around the teeth become very red and swollen. Often the swollen gums bleed when they are brushed during cleaning.

Long-standing gingivitis can turn into periodontal disease. There are a number of types of periodontal disease and they all affect the tissues supporting the teeth. As the disease gets worse the bone anchoring the teeth in the jaw is lost, making the teeth loose. If this is not treated, the teeth may eventually fall out.

Probably. Most people suffer from some form of gum disease, and it is the major cause of tooth loss in adults. However, the disease develops very slowly in most people, and it can be slowed down to a rate that should allow you to keep most of your teeth for life.

All gum disease is caused by plaque. Plaque is a film of bacteria, which forms on the surface of the teeth and gums every day. Many of the bacteria in plaque are completely harmless, but there are some that have been shown to be the main cause of gum disease. To prevent and treat gum disease, you need to make sure you remove all the plaque from your teeth every day. This is done by brushing and flossing.

Unfortunately, gum disease progresses painlessly on the whole so that you do notice the damage it is doing. However, the bacteria are sometimes more active and this makes your gums sore. This can lead to gum abscesses, and pus may ooze from around the teeth. Over a number of years, the bone supporting the teeth can be lost. If the disease is left untreated for a long time, treatment can become more difficult.

The first sign is blood on the toothbrush or in the rinsing water when you clean your teeth. Your gums may also bleed when you are eating, leaving a bad taste in your mouth. Your breath may also become unpleasant.

The first thing to do is visit your dentist for a thorough check-up of your teeth and gums. The dentist can measure the 'cuff' of gum around each tooth to see if there is any sign that periodontal disease has started. X-rays may also be needed to see the amount of bone that has been lost. This assessment is very important, so the correct treatment can be prescribed for you.

Your dentist will usually give your teeth a thorough clean. You'll also be shown how to remove plaque successfully yourself, cleaning all surfaces of your teeth thoroughly and effectively. This may take a number of sessions with the dentist or hygienist.

Once your teeth are clean, your dentist may decide to carry out further cleaning of the roots of the teeth, to make sure that the last pockets of bacteria are removed.
You'll probably need the treatment area to be numbered before anything is done. Afterwards, you may feel some discomfort for up to 48 hours.

Periodontal disease is never cured. But as long as you keep up the home care you have been taught, any further loss of bone will be very slow and it may stop altogether. However, you must make sure you remove plaque every day, and go for regular check-ups by the dentist and hygienist.