Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem, but anyone can suffer with it at any time. Persistent bad breath is nearly always caused by poor oral hygiene. If left to accumulate, the bacteria living in the mouth can produce sulphur gases, which give rise to the unpleasant smell. This can be worsened by other factors such as:
- Smoking
- Spicy foods
- Dairy products
- Acidic drinks such as coffee
- Medications
These factors can either directly help the harmful bacteria to flourish, or reduce the amount of saliva present in the mouth – having a similar effect. Spicy foods can increase the amount of sulphur gases.
Bad breath is usually resolved fairly simply, but a dental examination is important as this problem often occurs alongside gum disease. If this is the case then we can help treat this too.