If you are suffering from bad breath or halitosis, to give it its medical name, the cause could be due to gingivitis. Both gingivitis and bad breath(halitosis) are caused by a bacterial infection with symptoms such as:
Bad breath
Bleeding gums
Red and swollen gums
The last two symptoms are usually most apparent after brushing and flossing.
Prognosis
As mentioned earlier in the article, bad breath is almost certainly caused by a bacterial infection. When bacteria sticks to ones teeth they secrete acid which may go on to form cavities. It is not uncommon for these bacteria to cause infection around the gum line leading to gingivitis.
Bad Breath
The worse case scenario of gingivitis is that it can potentially help bacteria to enter the blood stream leading to more serious systemic infections. Periodontal disease or bone loss due to the infection getting deep into the tooth root.
Treatment
First of all it is important to say, as with any medical condition, consult a medical professional for diagnosis and treatment advice. In this case a dentist is probably your first port of call.
Prevention is better than cure so a good oral hygiene routine is paramount to fresh breath and good oral health. Regular brushing and flossing are the most basic steps, also using an alcohol free mouth wash will help to clean those areas that brushing and flossing can not reach.
If you do have sore gums then a soft bristled brush is recommended using a slow up, down and side to side motion not forgetting the backs of your teeth.
It is quite normal to have bacteria in your mouth and it is not possible to completely eradicate it and this is quite unnecessary. A good gargle with a mouth wash will keep the bad breath causing bacteria in check providing there is no underlying infection. Also a good habit to get into is to brush your tongue, the anaerobes living on that device can be a great source of odor.
There are many tooth brushes on the market, some are quite high tech, introducing sonic vibrations on to the teeth, these brushes can out perform standard types. Your dentist may suggest cleaning under your gums as part of the treatment of Periodontal disease should you show symptoms.
