If you’ve ever worried that your breath may smell unpleasant you were probably right. According to experts, almost everyone experiences bad breath at some point.
And, although halitosis is rarely a serious medical issue, it can affect your confidence. Bad breath has even been linked to social anxiety and depression.
February is National Fresh Breath Month, so the Oral Hygienists Association of South Africa (Ohasa) shared its five top tips to prevent bad breath.
Here are five oral hygienist-approved fixes to give you fresh-breath confidence.
The key to beating bad breath is removing bacteria and food debris from your mouth. If not removed these will break down and decay, releasing foul odours in the process.
Brushing, even when done correctly for a full two minutes, will remove about half the plaque on your teeth and gums. So while brushing twice a day is of paramount importance, on its own, brushing is not enough to prevent oral malodour.
As your toothbrush can’t reach right between the teeth, daily interdental cleaning is necessary to remove any plaque or food debris trapped there. According to Ohasa, only about a third of South Africans clean in-between daily, and about 40% of them are not doing it correctly. No wonder an estimated half of our population have bad breath at any one time.
Anri Bernardo, Ohasa president, said interproximal care is extra-important for people with bleeding gums or periodontal disease. “Even when periodontal disease is under control the gums may have receded, forming food traps. It’s vital to clean these areas correctly to prevent further infection as well as bad breath.”
Dirna Grobbelaar, Ivohealth’s oral hygiene adviser and Ohasa member, said there’s no excuse not to clean in-between as there is a multitude of tools available to make it a simple process. “If you don’t like flossing, try picks or an oral irrigator. Tiny interdental brushes can reach between teeth at the far back of the mouth, make excellent options for anyone with orthodontic braces, implants or gaps between the teeth.”
Don’t forget your tongue, said Ohasa past president Stella Lamprecht, who recommended gentle scraping every day. “The tongue’s surface has tiny grooves where bacteria and plaque can accumulate. Everyone, from children to older people, should incorporate tongue cleaning into their daily routine. If you do it before bed it can help prevent morning breath.”
Using mouthwash as a final step can give added fresh-breath confidence. Use saltwater or an alcohol-free rinse . Alternatively, chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva and naturally “rinse” the mouth.
For good measure, Lamprecht recommended a regular professional “deep” clean. “When an oral hygienist scales and polishes the teeth, they eliminate plaque and tartar build-up that you are unable to remove yourself with usual brushing and flossing.”
Lamprecht is passionate about her profession because it has many more benefits to patients than just helping them smell good. “The bacteria that cause bad breath, also irritate the gums and cause cavities. Once you have bleeding gums, ‘bad’ bacteria can enter your bloodstream and this increases your risk of more serious health problems, including dementia, heart disease, strokes, kidney problems and even pre-term births. Effective oral hygiene is a vital part of caring for your health and wellness.”
For more oral care news and expert advice, visit www.ivohealth.co.za.
