There’s nothing worse than bad breath for making you feel uncomfortable in social situations. The feeling that unpleasant smells might be coming from your mouth every time you breathe, talk and smile can seriously inhibit your ability to relax when around other people. It’s no wonder then that sufferers will do anything they can to stop bad breath.

Bad breath is known as halitosis scientifically and it is usually caused by debris left in the mouth. The best way to combat this is to ensure that this debris is adequately removed by brushing and flossing as directed by your dentist, twice a day and after meals if necessary. You should be sure to brush your entire mouth and floss between the teeth to remove any debris that threatens to build up there.

Often people will use mouthwash to help cure their bad breath but this is a slightly ambiguous solution to the problem. Mouth washes, especially those containing alcohol make the mouth extremely dry and this is the ideal situation for bacteria to stick to teeth and release their smells. The mouth wash might remove the debris in the first place that is causing the bad breath but it can also leave the mouth open for more bacteria to hang around in the mouth and lead to further bad breath.

Being trained a trained professional, your London dentist is ideally placed to advise you on all matters pertaining to your mouth. If you are experiencing bad breath then you ought to make an appointment to see your dentist so that you can discuss the options about how best to treat it.

Many people’s answer to dealing with bad breath is to reach for the nearest bottle of mouthwash and gargle away. Although many people think that mouthwashes are effective against bad breath, the truth is that they only mask the smell of the breath but don’t actually address the cause of the problem.

Tests found that mouthwashes were effective at disguising the odour from anything from ten minutes to two hours but then the smell would return. Mouthwashes undoubtedly kill bacteria, but they also destabilise the natural production of saliva. As saliva is the body’s natural defence against bad breath, this can mean that the mouthwash is actually prolonging the problem.

The real key to eliminating bad breath is by more effective brushing and flossing. This not only removes plaque and bacteria, but also the food particles on which they thrive. This keeps bacteria levels low so they can easily be controlled by saliva.

Mouthwashes can be effective for controlling bacteria in certain situations. This is especially true after certain dental procedures that can be susceptible to post-surgical infection. However, your City of London dentist will tell you when this is necessary. Mouthwashes certainly still have their place in the fight against decay and disease, but you must remember that they are no substitute for good oral hygiene. A good mouthwash can be used as an addition to an effective brushing and flossing routine but not as a substitute for it. Ask your dentist for more details of when it is appropriate to use mouthwash and which particular brand would be most suitable for your teeth.

Nobody wants to have bad breath. It is a very unfortunate and embarrassing condition that affects not just you but also those around you. One of the most difficult things about bad breath is that it is often so difficult to tell if you are suffering. This can cause many people to reach for the mouthwash or oral spray in order to give them confidence that their breath is fresh. However, many oral products including mouthwash and even chewing gum could be giving you a false sense of confidence.

Bad breath is mostly caused by bacteria that live on food particles stuck in the teeth or in the grooves of the tongue. Other causes include gum disease and digestion problems but bacteria make up the majority of cases. Bacteria decays and releases bad odours which are carried out on the breath. Using oral products such as mouthwash or spray will kill some of these bacteria and temporarily mask the problem. However, after a time the bacteria will again begin to thrive and the smell will return. Oral products do not attack the cause of the problem and they also inhibit the natural production of saliva which could even make the situation worse.

The most effective cure for bad breath is better oral hygiene. More effective brushing and flossing and using implements like tongue scrapers will help to keep your teeth, gums and tongue free from as much food waste and bacteria as possible. By attacking the root of the problem, oral hygiene will help to keep your breath fresh and free of odours all day, without the need for you to resort to oral hygiene products. For more information about bad breath and how to cure it, ask you London dentist at your next six-monthly check up.

Even though you may feel reasonably comfortable with over the counter mouth washes, your London dentist may have some formulas that will work better for your unique oral condition. For example, if you are struggling to combat halitosis or gingivitis, you may need a mouth wash that has antibacterial properties. Unfortunately, if you make use of mouth washes with alcohol in them, they will kill off the good germs, and leave room for bad ones to proliferate even faster. While these mouth washes are fairly popular, they may do more harm than good under certain conditions.

If you are having problems with cavities, you may also be interested in mouth washes that contain a higher percentage of fluoride. Depending on your situation, your dentist may also be able to give you some gels, as well as other therapies that will help reduce your current rate of tooth decay. While fluoride mouth washes tend to work best, your dentist may also have some other rinses that will be of use to you.

Without a question, if you just had your teeth cleaned, or some other type of oral procedure, you may need to use a rinse known as Chlorhexedane. This rinse will kill germs, as well as help reduce the risk of infections. Even though it will not destroy plaque, your dentist may feel that it will work better while your gums and other mouth tissues are recovering.

When regular mouth washes do not meet specific needs, you can ask your dentist about other options. Regardless of whether you are concerned about abscesses, tooth decay, or other issues, there are prescription based mouth rinses that can be of use to you. As may be expected, your dentist will advise you on how to use these washes properly, as well as let you know how long you will be able to use them.