Dr Estée Kriek of Pyes Pa Dentists explains the reasons behind bad breath.
If your colleagues keep you at arm’s length and only your best friend dares to tell you that it may be because you have bad breath, it’s time to act. Some obvious causes are easy to eliminate or remedy, such as smelly foods, alcohol or cigarettes. Certain medicines or medical conditions can also cause bad breath. However, the most common causes are poor oral hygiene or poor oral health.
If you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, food particles stuck between your teeth decompose and lead to a build-up of plaque on teeth, which causes an odour of its own. This creamy plaque, if not removed, then hardens to tartar. Such an environment is a perfect breeding ground for ever-present oral bacteria that thrive and often cause periodontal disease, i.e. infection of the gums. Once pockets in the gums have developed that are colonised by bacteria, brushing and flossing can eliminate bad breath only temporarily.
Periodontal disease is treatable. It can be prevented by adopting a proper, regular oral hygiene routine, seeing a dental hygienist twice a year and going for regular check-ups to the dentist. Bad breath can be eliminated with good, new oral hygiene habits.
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