Fresh Breath Clinic Lake Haven
Eliminate bad breath at our fresh breath clinic in Lake Haven
Chronic or persistent bad breath can be an embarrassing condition, impacting your confidence and willingness to talk or smile. In fact, many people have a strong fear of having bad breath (this is known as halitophobia). However, bad breath is nothing to be embarrassed about or afraid of — around 30% of the world’s population suffers from some form of bad breath!
If you suffer from bad breath, it could be linked to another oral or general health problem.
Book an appointment at our fresh breath dental clinic in Lake Haven today — our dentists will investigate the cause and recommend an appropriate treatment plan.
What causes bad breath?
Certain foods can temporarily cause bad breath, which is generally not considered a problem. However, if your bad breath is persistent, it could signify that you’re suffering from tooth decay, gum disease or another dental infection.
Poor dental hygiene
If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles will remain in your mouth — between your teeth and on your tongue. A colourless film of bacteria called plaque will form on your teeth, and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums.
Similarly, bacteria and food particles can form if you don’t clean your dentures, causing a bad odour.
Infections in your mouth
If you have recently had oral surgery (e.g. tooth removal, root canal treatment), or you are suffering from tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores and experiencing bad breath, you may be suffering from an infection.
Dry mouth
Xerostomia (dry mouth) can contribute to bad breath because saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing food particles that cause bad breath. Dry mouth naturally occurs while you sleep, leading to “morning breath”, which worsens if you sleep with your mouth open.
Chronic dry mouth can be caused by issues with your salivary glands and some oral diseases.
Nose, mouth and throat conditions
Sometimes, bad breath can come from tonsil stones — small stones covered with bacteria in the tonsils, causing a foul smell. These stones often fall out on their own.
Infections in the nose, sinuses or throat that cause post-nasal drip can also cause bad breath.
Tobacco products
Smokers and tobacco product users are more likely to suffer from gum disease, which can cause bad breath.
Food
The simplest and most common source of bad breath is food. The breakdown of food particles in the mouth and around your teeth can increase bacteria, especially if you don’t brush and floss properly.
Eating certain foods like onions and garlic can cause bad breath — after you digest these foods, they enter the bloodstream and your lungs, impacting the smell of your breath.
