Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, is one of the most common concern that patients discuss with their dentist.  It is estimated that 65% of the population suffers from chronic bad breath - a serious problem considering that it affects social, professional and personal relationships. Interestingly, there is a huge group of people that think they have bad breath and they don't but there is also a large group that does have a problem and don't even realize it, says Dr Verma.  This is because it is hard to smell your own breath and often even your best friend will not tell you that. "One way to tell if you have bad breath is to floss your teeth and smell the floss to determine odor".

While certain medical conditions, strong foods (such as garlic and onion) and smoking accounts for a small percentage of the cause of bad breath 90% of the cause is usually from bacterial production of volatile sulfur compounds or VSC.  These are the same compounds found in rotten eggs, gum disease, faulty fillings, sinusitis, infected tonsils, systemic diseases and/or gastro-intestinal ailments which can cause VSC to increase, resulting in foul breath. The bacteria which create VSC thrive in places where there is kale or no air, like under the gums, in the crevices of the tongue and between the teeth. Another cause of bad breath is having a dry mouth.  There are may reasons for dry mouth of which the most prevalent is one's medical history.  There are more than 200 prescription medications that contribute to the problem of dry mouth.

So what is a person with bad breath to do?
It is important to discover the underlying cause of halitosis, and from there, create a plan to eliminate the problem by completely eradicating the offending odor.  Once the cause is determined, more targeted steps can be taken. Seeing a trusted dentist is the right place to start. 

What may be good recommendations from a Dentist?
To prevent bad breath one must get rid of the bacteria in the mouth and the volatile sulfur compounds it creates. The crucial steps include: practicing proper oral hygiene by brushing, flossing and tongue scraping, along with regular dental checkups.  By conducting a thorough oral exam with x-rays, a dentist will be able to set up a treatment plan to eliminate bad breath which may entail repairing faulty dental work, treating gum disease, increasing water consumption and so forth.

What about store bought mouthwash, mints and sprays?
They are simply temporary cover-ups - they contain alcohol and simply mask odors and not treat the cause and sometime the combination of the two odors results in an even worse smell.  Mouth rinses, need to truly deodorize the mouth as opposed to masking odors. Special mouth washes and toothpastes with Chlorine Dioxide actually takes mouth odors away by safely and effectively breaking down volatile sulfur compounds and therefore does not require alcohol or strong flavorings to try to mask odors.  It has a mild and refreshing flavor and is completely non- toxic and safe to use.

What is the best way to brush your tongue?
Using a brush or tongue scraper, clean the top surface of the tongue as far back as possible.  Gently repeat this action at least 5 times

Is there any recommended tongue scraper?
At Verma Dental, we recommend patented tongue scraper know as "the Oolitt" by Oxyfresh.