Bad breath is often something even our best friends daren’t mention for fear of upsetting us, yet if we know about it and seek some simple advice, we can avoid it. The problem is that it is often down to some bad habits we have as individuals, says a Colchester dentist. There isn’t a cure as such; it is just a matter in most cases of changing our eating and lifestyle habits. The liver is a vital organ that gets rid of toxins in the body; it also produces chemicals that are responsible for bad breath. Bad breath in some cases is just a matter of what we eat, foods such as spicy curries can leave an odour on the breath that lingers and dries the saliva that we produce to neutralise bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria is good for us in the first instance, but after it has done its job in breaking down our food, it needs to be got rid of. Flossing and mouth washing are a start, but just a simple routine like drinking water throughout the day will also help. Alcohol is a major cause of bad breath, it makes the liver work overtime and is a warning to us that our intake is above safety levels; the liver gives us bad breath for this reason. A lax attitude in oral care is also a major cause, as well as certain conditions like diabetes. Seeing a dental hygienist or your doctor is a good place to start, brushing your teeth after every meal will also stop the build up of bacteria that cause the problem. Make sure that you use a good mouthwash, and taking care to avoid gum diseases like Gingivitis will also bring bad breath to an end, giving up smoking can also help. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at Advance Dental Clinic in Chelmsford.

Gingivitis, more commonly known as gum disease, is an oral infection that affects the gums caused by bacterial growth in the mouth. If not properly treated gingivitis can become the more serious periodontitis resulting in tooth loss and the destruction of soft gingival tissue in the mouth. Gum disease has also been linked to various other infections in the body including heart disease. It is believed that bacterial infection in the mouth can infiltrate the bloodstream and cause wider health problems if not treated successfully.

Gingivitis is initially caused by plaque build up. Plaque is a filmy substance made up of bacteria and other debris that covers the tooth enamel and gum tissue and erodes it. This causes irritation of the gums which may bleed when brushed firmly. This kind of irritation is easily treated and combated by more effective cleaning. However, if left untreated, gingivitis can become peridontitis where the infection creates pockets between the teeth and gums which can spread the infection below the gum line. This is very hard to clean with conventional brushes and may need some antibiotic treatment. In sever cases some tissue may need to be removed if beyond treatment in a process called a gingivectomy.

Although gum disease my be caused by more wide ranging health issues such as hormonal changes and illness it is most often caused by poor standards of oral hygiene. An improvement in brushing and flossing and making regular six-month check up appointments with a Basildon dentist is usually enough to keep gum disease at bay.

Even if you think you have healthy gums and are experiencing no irritation or symptoms of gum disease it is still necessary to see a dentist on a regular basis. Some gum disease shows little or no sign of obvious infection but a dentist will be able to spot the warning signs. As previously mentioned, gum disease can be the underlying cause of a more systematic infection that becomes very hard to treat, so it really is worth making a few small efforts to prevent it. Call 01245 268 494 for a free consultation at at Advance Dental Clinic  in chelmsford.