Bad breath is one of those personal hygiene problems that can be really unpleasant. Like body odour, it seems like everyone else is aware of the problem but the sufferer them self and being stuck in a confined space with someone with bad breath is an experience we all want to avoid. One of the major problems with bad breath is that it can be very difficult to know when you are suffering from it, unless someone tells you, and that’s never an easy thing to either do or hear. But you can take action against bad breath by simply following a few dental hygiene rules.

Over 90 per cent of all cases of bad breath are caused by poor standards of oral hygiene leading to bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria build up on decaying food matter trapped between teeth and in the grooves of the tongue. This decays releasing a nasty smelling sulphurous compound, which is carried out on the breath. This is the source of the condition also known commonly as halitosis. This bacteria can be easily removed by effective brushing and flossing. Brushing twice a day at least, with a suitable brush and paste helps to remove bacteria and trapped food that cause bad breath. Flossing is equally important in removing the food and bacteria from parts of the mouth hard to reach with a brush such as between teeth and below the gum line.

It may also be a good idea to use either a tongue cleaner or an inter-dental brush to remove even more bacteria. By following this advice and also remembering to see a Central London dentist every six months for additional cleaning you can easily help prevent bad breath and live your life confident in the knowledge you are not the person everyone is talking about.

As children, we are always taught that if we take good care of our teeth then they will last a lifetime. While it is true that the standard of dental care has dramatically increased since our grandparents were children, many dental problems are still very prevalent.

Judging by the levels of tooth decay and periodontal disease, we are forgetting the lessons of childhood and not taking proper care of our teeth. With the first pace of modern day life, it seems that proper brushing and flossing are becoming the victims of complacency. We might not think it is that important if we forget to floss every now and then, or if we miss a dental check up a couple of times but the importance of proper dental care can not be overstated.

Our mouths are the gateway to our body and what goes on in there can have a serious impact on our overall health. In recent years, studies have conclusively proved the link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Oral infections can cause the arteries to narrow greatly increasing the risk of a heart attack or a stroke. Likewise, poor dental hygiene has been linked to both osteoporosis and diabetes. And we haven’t even mentioned the painful and costly dental complications that can occur if you neglect your teeth. Ask anyone who has undergone a root canal treatment and they will certainly tell you to look after your teeth properly.

The lesson is to start brushing and flossing as dentists recommend and to make an appointment for a check up every six months with a London dentist, regardless if you think your teeth are fine. Dentists can spot and treat the first signs if infection and help to keep you and your teeth healthy.

Sometimes we are all guilty of taking short cuts when it comes to our dental health. We all know we should brush our teeth twice a day for three minutes and floss to keep our teeth and mouth as healthy as possible, but sometimes with the demands of modern life these seemingly little things can get overlooked. But could be this be dangerous and not just for the health of our teeth?

Dental and oral hygiene can often be an indicator of overall health. Many diseases in the body have manifestations in the mouth to indicate that we may be suffering. Likewise, many conditions that begin in the mouth can have a larger impact on our bodies that we might not realise. The mouth is the gateway to our internal organs so it makes sense that any problems occurring in the mouth might well be linked to internal problems.

Recent studies have proved a link between periodontal disease and heart disease. Oral infections can cause an inflammation of the arteries that causes them to narrow. This is one of the underlying factors of many heart attacks and cases of cardiovascular disease.

Periodontal disease may also be indicative of diabetes as it makes it more difficult to control sugar intake. Diabetics are also far more prone to infection increasing the risk of dental complications. The risk of osteoporosis is also increased by poor standards of oral hygiene.

Oral hygiene can be easily influenced by our actions. Effective brushing and flossing can significantly reduce the risk of oral disease, therefore reducing the risk of heart disease and other complications. Regular check ups with a City of London dentist is also key to preventing gum disease and tooth decay limiting the risk of any further health complications.

Oral hygiene is not all about taking good care of your teeth. It also involves that you take the necessary precautions and measures to keep your mouth in good condition. When talking about oral hygiene, the first thing that comes into your mind is teeth. Most people focus more on the teeth and are hence baffled when they get oral ailments.

The answer lies in your tongue; your London dentist will say. Taking good care of your tongue forms a major aspect of oral hygiene and it is instrumental in keeping ailments at bay. It is very important that you clean your tongue daily in the same manner as you brush your teeth. Most people are oblivious of the importance of the importance of tongue cleaning and hence fail to realize the reason why one should.

The food you eat is mixed and broken down in the mouth. This whole chewing process works owing to a combination of functions performed by the teeth and the tongue. The teeth break down the food into smaller parts and the tongue helps in mixing it with the saliva present in the mouth. Once the food is properly broken down, the tongue transfers it from the mouth to the stomach via the esophagus. So there is always a high chance of food particles remaining on the tongue along with bacteria. This forms a layer on the tongue owing to its constant use and if not removed, it begins to rot and smell.

Bad breath is one of the most common ailments you will get if you were not cleaning your tongue regularly. Tongue cleaning also removes dead cell from the uppermost layer of the tongue along with bacteria and fungi which thrive on the residual food. So, tongue cleaning is as important as brushing and flossing.

Many individuals have gum disease and don’t even know that they have it. You may be one of them! Gingivitis is inflammation of the gums without loss of the bone that supports your teeth. Whereas, periodontitis is an inflammation of the bone and/or gums that support your teeth with an associated loss of the supporting bone. In other words, once bone is lost, it is referred to as periodontitis. Periodontitis is caused by certain oral bacteria contained within dental plaque. You can brush and floss to remove this plaque, however it is difficult to remove all of the plaque. This remaining plaque may harden to form calculus and tartar, and this may extend below the gumline. Periodontitis is preventable, with proper and daily brushing and flossing.

Besides bacteria, there are other factors that can increase your risk of developing periodontitis. Several of these factors are: diabetes, smoking, medications (i.e., anti-epileptic drugs, steroids, cancer drugs, oral contraceptives, and calcium channel blockers). Also, defective dental restorations and pregnancy can also be considered factors.

Gingivitis and periodontitis have also been linked to an increased risk of several systemic diseases. The mechanism of action is that bacteria, and their by-products and end-products, enter the blood stream and contribute to various coronary and heart diseases.

So, make sure that you brush and floss at least twice daily, brush your tongue, replace your toothbrush every 6 months, eat a balanced diet, and contact your dentist immediately if you feel that you have any symptoms of gum disease. Gingivitis and periodontitis may not be discovered by the patient until it is too late, so make sure you have regular dental check-ups!