Chronic bad breath – known medically as halitosis – is a big problem for your self-esteem and lifestyle. Often, you can self-diagnose halitosis, or a dentist or hygienist may offer you an actual diagnosis based on a scale. Dentists can use sophisticated detectors to identify the chemicals responsible for bad breath, and it’s a viable option to consider if you’re worried about halitosis. But how to treat it? Here are some of the things you can do to treat chronic bad breath at the start of this year.
Level up your oral hygiene
In most instances, halitosis is caused by poor oral hygiene. Specifically, chronic bad breath results from the build-up of bad bacteria in the mouth, so levelling up your oral hygiene is a great place to start. Go back to basics and follow these simple steps:
- Brush your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes. Investing in an electric toothbrush can be helpful as it enables you to get to hard-to-reach areas of your mouth that might be a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Use an antibacterial mouthwash twice a day.
- Floss at least once a day, removing all debris from between your teeth. This prevents the build-up of plaque and can make a big difference to your breath.
For most people, following the above steps will reduce or eliminate bad breath, but if you want to seek further treatment, there are other things you can try.
Visit a hygienist
As halitosis is linked to poor oral hygiene, it makes sense to visit a dental hygienist to discuss the best course of action. Given that a hygienist is concerned with non-invasive dental treatment and helping you achieve healthier teeth and gums, an initial consultation is a perfect opportunity to discuss your treatment options for chronic bad breath. A hygienist can recommend strategies and tips for cleaning your teeth and gums correctly and can also thoroughly clean your teeth. Ultimately, it’s a great way to kickstart your halitosis treatment.
Schedule regular dental checkups
In some instances, halitosis is caused by gingivitis and other infections. Gum disease is super common in the UK and can be caused by a number of factors. One of the symptoms of gum disease is bad breath, and you will need to schedule an appointment with a dentist to discuss your treatment options. Generally speaking, you should visit your dentist 1-2 times every year to protect yourself from gum disease, halitosis, and other conditions. Only visiting your dentist when you have a problem with your teeth can cause you problems in the long run, and it’s not the best strategy as far as your dental health is concerned.
Treat chronic bad breath today
If you’ve decided that now is the time to take action and treat halitosis, our dentists and hygienists would be delighted to introduce you to your treatment options. At London City Smiles, we help countless patients every year improve their dental health and hygiene, and the start of 2023 is the perfect opportunity to kickstart your treatment. You can book an appointment online or by calling us today on 020 7837 2300.
