Why Bad Breath Could be Dangerous

Your breath is an indicator of the overall health of your mouth

We know that nobody is going to wake up in the morning with fresh breath, but if you are suffering from malodourous breath on a regular basis, it may be a sign of some more serious dental issues. At Kitchener Street Dental in Toowoomba we can perform a comprehensive assessment of your mouth to pinpoint the source of your bad breath.

Morning breath is fine, incessant halitosis is not.

The reason that we awake in the morning with bad breath is because the mouth is not producing any saliva while we sleep so no bacteria is being flushed out of the mouth. Halitosis (bad breath) can be an indicator of more serious dental issues like periodontal (gum) disease.

Periodontal disease is an inflammatory disease of the gums and tissues supporting the teeth which is often caused by poor dental hygiene. If left untreated, it can lead to gum recession, tooth loss and even bone loss.

Another dental problem that bad breath might indicate is tonsilloliths, which is another name for the small stones that can form on your tonsils which are made up of calcified bacteria. Your mouth is the perfect environment for bacteria to form, which is why it is vitally important that you take care of your dental health daily.

How to prevent bad breath and serious dental diseases

The best way to maintain the health of your teeth is to follow these tips consistently:

• Brush your teeth – Although it might seem obvious, only about half of the population brush their teeth twice a day. You should brush morning and night, for at least two minutes, with fluoridated toothpaste. Use a toothbrush with soft bristles, and replace your toothbrush every three months and after you’ve been sick.
• Floss – If you don’t floss, you miss cleaning about 35% of the surfaces of your teeth. You should floss once a day, preferably at night, using a gentle back-and-forth motion to get in between the teeth. Flossing is also one of the best ways to eliminate bad breath as it can dislodge any stray food that is stuck in between the teeth.
• Visit your dentist once every six months – It is important that you arrange a check-up with your dentist once every six months. During the check-up your dentist will be able to point out any areas that are getting missed during your day to day routine. They can also perform an extensive clean of your teeth in order to remove any plaque that has built up.