Bad Breath & Halitosis Treatment in Australia
KEY POINTS
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Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath.
- It’s normal to have bad breath when you wake up, but this typically goes away after you brush your teeth.
- Bad breath that doesn’t go away can be an indication of a dental problem or some other medical condition.
- Emotional and social complications can arise from unresolved bad breath.
- Good oral hygiene plays a crucial role in preventing halitosis.
- Visit your dentist if you have persistent bad breath so they can diagnose the cause and come up with a treatment plan.
- Try Breezecare's KForce kit, a medically proven bad breath treatment. KForce has been used by thousands of halitosis sufferers and is highly recommended by dentists for effective bad breath treatment.
Causes, Symptoms, Prevention & Treatment
Most people experience bad breath temporarily. When you first wake up in the morning or finish a garlicky meal, you may detect or smell your own bad breath. Consuming certain beverages like alcoholic drinks and coffee, as well as smoking cigarettes, can also cause you to have bad breath. Normally, this unpleasant odour goes away when you drink water and brush your teeth.
For some, however, bad breath is a daily problem they need to contend with. Persistent bad breath may indicate the presence of another illness or medical condition.
Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Sulphur-producing bacteria that typically reside on the surface of the tongue and in the throat are the main culprits behind halitosis. The back of the tongue and throat can occasionally emit pungent volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) as these bacteria begin to break down proteins at a very fast pace.
Having chronic bad breath can make one feel embarrassed and extremely self-conscious. It can lead to feelings of discomfort in daily social interactions and affect work and even personal relationships.
Unfortunately, however, most people with terrible breath are unaware that they have halitosis. They only find out when a co-worker, friend, or family member tells them. This can cause embarrassment, anxiety, and frustration and can erode a person’s self-confidence.
Some people who are aware they have halitosis rely on temporary bad breath treatment solutions like mints and mouthwash. When you resort to short-term halitosis treatment products, you’re not really addressing the problem but only masking it.
Adequate oral hygiene can frequently reduce bad breath. However, it’s usually better to visit your dentist if your halitosis continues. Dentists can determine the root cause of the problem. Once they make an accurate diagnosis, they can create a treatment plan for you that will resolve the problem and give you peace of mind.
Try the KForce Halitosis Treatment Kit to help prevent Bad Breath
Causes of halitosis & bad breath
There are many possible causes of halitosis or bad breath. This is why it’s crucial to seek bad breath treatment right away, as the solution depends on what’s causing your chronic bad breath.
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Dry mouth. Aside from its role in digestion, saliva works to clean and keep the mouth moist. Dead cells can gather on your tongue, gums, and cheeks when your mouth is dry. As these cells decay, they give off odours. Sleeping naturally causes dry mouth that leads to the so-called bad-smelling morning breath some people suffer from. If you sleep with your mouth open, dry mouth can be an even bigger issue. People whose jobs require them to talk constantly can also suffer from dry mouth, although this can be resolved easily with proper hydration. Certain medications (e.g., oxybutynin ER, diphenhydramine, amphetamine salts, etc.), smoking, and any condition affecting the salivary glands (e.g., cancerous tumours, Sjögren’s syndrome, infections, etc.) can also lead to a chronic dry mouth.
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Extreme dieting or fasting. People who fast or engage in extreme forms of dieting can develop halitosis from infrequent eating. They give off an unpleasant “fruity alcohol” type of smell on their breath caused by the breakdown of body fat (that releases ketones, which are gaseous compounds) during fasting.
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Food. Bad breath can result from the breakdown of food debris trapped in the mouth, especially your teeth. Another cause of foul breath is consuming food that contains volatile oils. Examples of food ingredients with these volatile oils are cauliflower, onions, and garlic. Acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits also help create a hospitable environment for odour-producing bacteria. Avoid consuming them if you can’t wash or rinse your mouth soon after eating them. Taking alcoholic drinks also creates a distinctive aroma in your mouth, typically caused by the beverage ingredients mixed into the alcohol.
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Gum disease and poor oral hygiene. Unresolved gum disease and poor oral hygiene can also contribute to bad breath. If you don’t brush and floss your teeth every day, food particles stay in your mouth and encourage the proliferation of bad bacteria. Plaque, a sticky white film comprising germs, can develop on your teeth. If this is not removed with brushing, it can irritate your gums and lead to tooth decay. Eventually, pockets packed with plaque may develop between your teeth and gums and make your breath worse. Additionally, unclean dentures and ill-fitting ones can harbour bacteria and food particles that can lead to an unpleasant odour. Therefore, to avoid bad breath, gum disease must be treated and proper oral hygiene must be practised at all times.
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Hormonal changes during menstruation. Women can have halitosis temporarily during their menstrual period. The reason for this is that hormonal changes during menstruation make the gums more hospitable to bad bacteria that cause bad breath. Just before menstruation, the tiny capillaries running through the gums deteriorate and may burst. When they do, small amounts of blood are released into the gums. This blood is then consumed by bacteria, which produce odoriferous volatile sulphur particles.
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Infections or problems in the mouth, nose, and throat. Sinus infections can cause halitosis because of the nasal discharge from the sinuses going into the back of the throat. Sinus congestion can also force patients to breathe through their mouths, leading to dry mouth and bad breath. Foul breath can also result from having something stuck in the nose. For example, if a bean or some other foreign object is lodged in the nose, it can cause nasal discharge and a bad odour. Throat infection, mononucleosis, tonsillitis, and strep throat can all cause bad breath temporarily. Bronchitis and other upper respiratory diseases that lead to the production of pungent sputum can cause halitosis as well.
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Tobacco. Smoking cigarettes and other tobacco products causes a distinct bad smell. Tobacco users are also prone to gum disease that can exacerbate halitosis.
Symptoms of halitosis & bad breath
There are various symptoms of halitosis or bad breath that can manifest themselves:
- Bad or unpleasant taste in the mouth, such as a bitter metallic flavour that never goes away
- Bad-smelling morning breath and stinging sensation in the tongue
- Dry mouth
- Mucous or postnasal drip
- Plaque
- Thick saliva and a compulsion to clear the throat constantly
- White film or coating, especially at the back of the tongue
If you experience these symptoms (or a combination of these) and they don’t resolve themselves, it may be time to see your dentist.
Try the KForce Bad Breath Treatment Kit if you are experiencing these symptoms
Complications of halitosis & bad breath
Halitosis can have a significant negative effect on a person’s emotional well-being and social life as well as on the people around them.
When you have bad breath, you may notice people moving or turning their heads away from you.
Halitosis can make you feel self-conscious and anxious. You’ll agonise over thoughts that other people may be uncomfortable around you or won’t like you because of the way your breath smells.
Also, when other people know you have halitosis, they may inadvertently focus on your breathing and may end up avoiding close contact with you. This can affect your self-esteem negatively and may cause you to avoid mingling with people and other types of social interaction.
Aside from going to your dentist for diagnosis and treatment, tell them about your feelings if having halitosis is already affecting your social or emotional well-being. This way, they can advise you and refer you to a psychologist or other mental health professional.
When to see your dentist
If your halitosis persists for several hours or days, consult your dentist.
Your dentist will examine your mouth for typical causes of bad breath, including infections and gum problems. They can also give you oral hygiene tips, including properly caring for your dentures if you’re using them.
Once your dentist makes a diagnosis, they can suggest that you talk to your doctor or a specialist if they believe that a health issue that does not involve your oral health is at the root of your halitosis.
How halitosis is diagnosed
During your visit to your dentist, they’ll know whether you have halitosis if they detect an offensive odour in your mouth, breath, or saliva.
They’ll also check if you experience any symptoms like a runny nose, a dry mouth, or oral pain. This will make it easier for them to determine what’s causing your halitosis so they can create the right treatment plan.
Treatment of bad breath and halitosis
Since there are many possible causes for bad breath, there is no single treatment for halitosis.
Ultimately, the halitosis treatment plan your dentist will create will depend on their findings or diagnosis.
Depending on the cause of your halitosis, they may advise you to:
- Avoid dehydration or drink more water to prevent your mouth from getting dry.
- Get your teeth and tongue cleaned or have specific dental treatments.
- Practise good oral hygiene (especially brushing and flossing).
- Take an oral medication or artificial preparation that will stimulate saliva production if you have a chronic dry mouth.
- Purchase certain mouthwashes or medical rinses, lozenges, toothpastes, or sugarless gum to support your treatment.
- Take an antibiotic that works against anaerobic bacteria to lessen the proliferation of sulphur-producing bacteria.
- Use saline nasal spray if you suffer from chronic sinusitis.
- Start using proven effective halitosis treatment products like BreezeCare’s KForce range of products.
If your dentist suspects that your halitosis is caused by a nondental medical condition, they may ask you to seek other treatments.
Try the KForce Bad Breath Treatment Kit
How to prevent bad breath
Halitosis cannot always be avoided. However, there are things you can do to prevent it from becoming a recurring or chronic issue:
- Brush and floss your teeth after eating, whether you’re at home, at work, or travelling. To be safe, carry a toothbrush, dental floss, and toothpaste with you always or keep a set in your workplace.
- Use a toothbrush with soft bristles and change it after every 3-4 months of use.
- Give your tongue a good brushing or cleaning (especially the back) with a tongue scraper or cleaner to get rid of food debris, bacteria, and dead cells.
- Stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. Doing so will keep your mouth moist and minimise the production of odour-causing bacteria.
- Avoid drinking coffee, soda, sugary juice drinks, and alcohol.
- Chew on sugarless gum or take sugarless candy. This will stimulate saliva production, which is necessary to remove food particles and bacteria.
- Know how to clean your bridge or dentures properly. Clean them thoroughly at least once a day or as recommended by your dentist.
- Use a medicated oral rinse or a mouthwash (preferably with peppermint, zinc, or chlorhexidine) recommended by your dentist. The best time to use a rinse or mouthwash is before going to sleep.
- Follow your dental check-up schedule. A visit to your dentist at least twice a year will ensure your teeth, bridge, or dentures are examined and cleansed thoroughly.
- Clean and remove your dentures at night before going to bed.
Aside from the above, you can also use a tried-and-tested, medically proven bad breath treatment product like the KForce Bad Breath Kit by BreezeCare. KForce has been used by thousands of halitosis sufferers and is highly recommended by dentists for effective bad breath treatment.
Try the KForce Bad Breath & Halitosis Treatment Kit
Oral healthcare with BreezeCare
BreezeCare founder and CEO Dr. Geoffrey Speiser is well-known in the field of dentistry as his company developed Halicheck in 2006. Halicheck is their ground-breaking clinic protocol that uses gas chromatography and is considered the gold standard for bad breath diagnosis. Halicheck produces highly accurate bad breath diagnoses.
Dr. Speiser, who has been a dentist since 1981, has devoted his career to helping people suffering from oral conditions, including dry mouth and halitosis. BreezeCare’s KForce range of dental products was developed through his painstaking research.
Aside from KForce, BreezeCare also features various dental care and halitosis treatment-supportive products like GC Tooth Mousse and Recaldent Chewing Gum.
BreezeCare continues to offer stellar oral healthcare diagnostic and treatment services, so if you need professional, high-quality, and effective dental solutions, book an appointment with us today!
