Dont Let Bad Breath Get You Down

Dentists in Manchester city centre can help patients with embarrassing bad breath, just book an appointment with a professional to discuss your options. Everyone has the problem occasionally but one problem is that people are often unsure if they have it as others are too polite to mention it.

Persistent bad breath is a problem that needs to be treated as it can indicate other oral hygiene problems, as it is often caused by poor dental hygiene. If you think you might have bad breath, there’s a simple test you can do. Lick the inside of your wrist and sniff. If it smells bad, then perhaps your breath is too.

Causes of bad breath

Temporary bad breath can be caused by cheese and other dairy products, coffee, smoking and some medications. Alcohol can also contribute to bad breath.

Tonsil stones are another cause of persistent bad breath and these are caused by the build-up of decaying food and other bits of debris on the surface of your tonsils forming foul-smelling ‘stones’.

Some medical conditions cause bad breath, such as dry mouth, diabetes, gastritis, infections in the throat, nose or lungs, as well as liver and kidney problems.

When to see a professional

You can try a number of measures to improve your breath including brushing carefully twice a day, flossing and maybe using a tongue scraper. However, if these steps do not improve your breath then consider seeking help from a qualified dentist.

If you have persistent bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you’re taking. Take this diary to your dentist – they may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.

Find out more at NHS Choices.