Hi. Dan, the Oral Health therapist at More Smiles Dental Practice here. I often get asked this question, but the answer isn’t always straightforward. We are here to help so let’s delve into the issue of bad breath, try to figure out what may be causing it plus give you some strategies to prevent it.

Oral Hygiene

Brushing and flossing daily is crucial in maintaining a good breath by reducing bacterial levels in the mouth. If your breath is still ‘bad’ after doing these two daily, the below topics may help you figure out other potential causes.

Tooth decay & gum disease

When was your last professional dental clean or exam? This question is important as untreated decay or gum disease can make your breath have a very distinct and unpleasant aroma. So if you’re brushing and flossing regularly but still have a persistent bad breath, make sure you book yourself in for a check and clean with your local dentist especially if it’s been more than 6 months since your last visit.

Mouth breathing

If you breathe through your mouth particularly while you are sleeping, you will most likely wake up in the morning with the dreaded ‘morning breath’. Mouth breathing can have many causes including nasal congestion from the common cold, chronic sinusitis or due to obstructions like a deviated septum or enlarged adenoids. I suggest having water by your bed so you can have a sip of water if you’ve woken up through the night with a dry mouth. If mouth breathing is a concern of yours, I would suggest talking to your GP or dentist at your next examination.

Next time, more info about Bad Breath….but in the meantime, you can always talk to a dental professional if your bad breath persists.

(Written by Dan – Oral Health Therapist at More Smiles Sunshine Coast)