Brushing and flossing regularly removes trapped food before it decays. If plaque containing bacteria is not removed, the bacteria can break down food particles trapped in the teeth or mouth.
The combination of the bacteria and decaying food in your mouth can produce an unpleasant odour. Bad breath also can be a problem if you wear dentures and don’t clean them every night. Dentures should be removed at night, cleaned and reinserted in the morning.
If your diet is high in garlic, onions, coffee or other strong pungent foods, you may notice odour on your breath for up to 48 hours. Smoking is also a major contributor to bad breath.
Dry mouth is also a factor for bad breath, as saliva helps keep your mouth constantly clean. Dry mouth can be a problem if you have a salivary gland condition and do not have adequate saliva flow. Sleeping with your mouth open, or taking certain medications, including those that treat high blood pressure and chemotherapy, are also contributing factors.
Suffering from bad breath? Book an appointment to visit one of our dentists today.