Bad Breath Beware!

… Have you ever found yourself at a party talking to a stranger or friend & trying to edge away from them inch by inch because they have bad breath?!

Bad breath (halitosis) is a very common problem & can affect all people at all ages. It can be a socially embarrassing disorder; though many people are unaware they have it unless they have been told!!
It's been estimated that 40% of the population suffers from halitosis at some point.
The causes of bad breath:
Most common is poor dental hygiene, such as ineffective brushing & not cleaning in between the teeth, this can lead to plaque build up, which in contact with oxygen releases gases, causing bad breath. If plaque is not removed efficiently dental cavities can form causing an added odour of decaying teeth.
Eating strong flavoured foods such as onions & garlic, these can linger on your breath & even with effective brushing it cannot be removed immediately.
Alcohol can also cause bad breath, even alcohol with no smell can remain of breath for hours.
Crash dieters, those with eating disorders, can develop bad breath, as the chemical reaction caused by not eating can make the breath smell ‘acidy’
Smoking, can cause oral cavity & airways to be dehydrated, also smokers have a tobacco odour in their breath.
Sinus problems from colds or allergies increase secretions from the nose to the throat, these bacteria stay in the back of mouth causing bad breath.
Gum disease, ineffective brushing can lead to plaque being left behind, this produces toxins (poisons) which can produce bad breath.
So now you know about bad breath, how can you treat it?
Ensure good oral hygiene is maintained, this is done by brushing twice a day & using something in between the teeth, this will remove plaque & food debris.
Keep well hydrated, this can help avoid bad breath & can help remove debris in the mouth.
Stop smoking & avoid excessive drinking of alcohol.
Change your toothbrush at least every 3months or before if bristles have become splayed.
Mouthwashes can help as a temporary measure, good for parties!
Brushing twice a day using a technique advised to you from your hygienist with a small headed toothbrush (so gets to awkward areas, brush teeth & along gumline).
Using interdental aids once a day, best time is at night & try drinking lots of fluids.
Brush your tongue gently to remove build up of bacteria & dead cells.
If you wear a denture, remove denture at night & clean with a suitable cleaning agent.
But also just to make you aware please do not judge people if they do have bad breath, sometimes it can be more serious, as the symptoms can be underlying medical problems such as: Lung conditions, kidney failure, liver or gastric problems, all of which can cause bad breath.

By Rachel Wotton RDN

Nature or Nurture?

Helping children to develop into fit healthy young adults is no mean feat!
Instilling good oral hygiene habits together with a healthy diet from a very early age will set children off on the right path for taking a healthy, happy smile into adulthood.

We recommend children from an early age, are brought along with parents when they attend for their examination appointments with the reassurance of a pleasant dental introduction.

Massaging the gums of babies, with a clean finger prior to teeth erupting will prepare a child for the sensation of brushing when a toothbrush is introduced. Children’s brushing needs to be undertaken/supervised by a parent until the age of seven when manual dexterity is generally fully developed.
Brushing twice daily with a small headed toothbrush, using small circular motions, before breakfast and last thing before bed.
Using a pea sized blob of fluoride toothpaste is sufficient.
Encourage spitting NOT rinsing away the paste allowing the fluoride to have full benefit of helping to strengthen the enamel.
Visiting your dentist every 6 months for a full examination to check for signs of early changes in the tooth structure. Also regular appointments with an Oral Health Educator to reinforce good brushing techniques and dietary habits.
Fissure sealants may be considered if the pits and fissures are deep eliminating a stagnation area.
The main cause of tooth decay is not necessarily the amount of sugar or acid in the diet, but how often it is consumed. The more often your child has sugary or acidic foods or drinks, the more likely they are to have decay. It is therefore important to keep sugary and acidic foods to mealtimes only. If you want to give your child a snack, try to stick to cheese, vegetables and fruit, but not dried fruit. It is also worth remembering that some processed baby foods and some foods marketed as healthy options can contain quite a lot of sugar. Check the list of ingredients: the higher up the list sugar is, the more there is in the product. Sometimes, these are shown as fructose, glucose, lactose or sucrose, generally ingredients ending with the letters 'ose.

Written by Denise Bingham OHE RDN

Smile like you mean it!
Everybody loves a smile! It’s a universal language that everyone understands in every country across the world. A smile can be the first thing you notice when you meet someone, and first impressions count.
Not only will a smile make you feel great, a smiling person is a confident person, and having confidence is half the battle.
But having a great smile is not only important to your mortal well being, it’s imperative to your physical health.
If teeth are nice and straight they are easier to keep clean and as a result your gums are more likely to be healthier.
Maintaining a healthy smile can reduce the risk of many diseases, including oral cancer.
So remember, keep those pearly whites in tiptop condition and let everybody see them.
A smile is a curve which sets everything straight. Smile like you mean it.
Written by Sophie Loxton