I brush my teeth constantly but still have bad breath. What can I do?
Brushing and flossing and thorough professional cleanings are definitely the first steps to eliminating bad breath. It is essential to follow a preventive care program that has been individually tailored to suit your specific needs. Your dental team is available to discuss further this sometimes delicate matter, as a fresh, healthy mouth is certainly achievable. Brushing and flossing remove bacteria responsible for creating odourous sulphur compounds and the food they feed on. However, bacteria hide not only on and around the teeth but also on the tongue under a layer of mucous. Here they are free to create odours. It is best to brush your tongue daily or you may want to consider a tongue scraper. Both are extremely effective at removing this coated mucous layer from the back of the tongue. The latest product on the market to assist in eliminating bad breath is a mouthrinse containing chlorine dioxide (such as Cloys11) available at our practice. The chlorine dioxide neutralises the odourous sulphur compounds, instead of simply covering up the odour. Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia) which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odour. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, speak to your dentist or hygienist for advice on treating this condition.

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