Bad Breath - Dental Health Promotion

Bad breath (sometimes called halitosis) is very common. You can usually treat it yourself.

How to treat bad breath yourself.

The best way of making sure you do not have bad breath is to keep your teeth, tongue, and mouth clean.

DO:

• gently brush your teeth and gums at least twice a day for 2 minutes.
• use a fluoride toothpaste.
• gently clean your tongue once a day using a tongue scraper or cleaner.
• clean between your teeth with interdental brushes or floss at least once a day.
• get regular dental check-ups.
• keep dentures clean and remove them at night.
• use sugar-free mints or chewing gum after having strong-smelling food and drinks.
• try using an antibacterial mouthwash or toothpaste.

DO NOT:

• smoke.
• rinse your mouth with water straight after brushing your teeth.
• have lots of sugary foods and drinks.
• brush so hard your gums or tongue bleed.

Causes of bad breath.

Causes of bad breath may include:

• eating or drinking strong-smelling or spicy foods and drinks.
• problems with your teeth or gums, such as gum disease, holes in your teeth or an infection.
• crash dieting.
• some medical conditions, like tonsillitis or acid reflux.
• smoking.

See a dentist if you have:

• bad breath that does not go away after treating it yourself for a few weeks.
• painful, bleeding, or swollen gums.
• toothache or wobbly adult teeth.
• problems with your dentures.

This information is intended to promote understand and knowledge about general oral health teeth topics. It is not intended to replace professional advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always ask your dentist or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions your may have regarding a medical condition or treatment.