Most of us worry about bad breath. You just have to look at the number of mints, gums, sprays and tablets available to know…no one likes smelling bad breath let alone having it!

Only 5% of bad breath happens from medical causes, such as stomach-aches. That means a massive 95% of bad breath originates in the mouth. So what is bad breath, really?

What is bad breath?
Lots of things can cause bad breath – and most of them aren’t from eating smelly foods!

What causes bad breath?
Lots of things can cause bad breath – and most of them aren’t from eating smelly foods!

Chronic bad breath can be caused by gum disease and tooth decay. Unhealthy teeth and gums attract more plaque-containing bacteria. If these teeth aren’t cleaned properly, the bacteria builds up and voila! – bad breath.

Dry mouth can also cause bad breath. Saliva is a natural antibacterial; the less there is in your mouth, the easier is it for bacteria to move in.

A surprise cause of bad breath? Dieting! When the body doesn’t have enough fuel (food) it breaks down fats and proteins…and this can cause bad breath.

How do you prevent bad breath?

• Have regular scale and cleans by your dental hygeinst. Removing plaque/tartar means removing bacteria-magnets.
• Brush and floss at home after meals.
• Brush your tongue! 50% of oral bacteria can be zapped by brushing your tongue with a soft toothbrush,concentrating on the back. Don’t scrub too hard, though!
• Chew sugarfree gum – it increases bacteria-fighting saliva in your mouth.
• Clean dentures after a meal, or soak them in a soaking agent (such as Polident) once a week.
• a proven preventative system such as Closys II. Closys II contains a powerful oxidising agent which neutralises odour. The Closys II system includes a special toothpaste, tongue scraper and mouthrinse developed to help reduce bacteria, resulting in a cleaner and fresher mouth.

Ask Algester Dental for more information about eliminating bad breath with the Closys II system.