Halitosis smells like sulphur. This is because halitosis is commonly caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that form in the mouth and react with food to produce this unpleasant odour. If you are unsure whether you have halitosis or not, there are several ways to check. Lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, and then smell the saliva to see if there is an unpleasant odour. Use a tongue scraper to gently scrape your tongue or floss the back of your teeth and gums and then smell both to indicate whether you have bad breath. You may also ask a close friend or family member, dentist, or hygienist if you have halitosis.
There are many triggers that instigate sulphur breath, also referred to as halitosis, bad breath, or oral malodour, including diet, nicotine use, poor oral hygiene, and gum disease or infection. Though 50% of people will experience bad breath in their lifetime, treating and getting rid of sulphur breath or halitosis can be achieved relatively easily at home in most cases. When it comes to the treatment of halitosis, there are some simple, achievable tools you can use daily, which we will identify below.
Treatment For Halitosis
Good Oral Hygiene
Treatment for halitosis begins with good oral care and oral hygiene. With the right oral care routine, halitosis can easily be alleviated and combatted at home. Brushing teeth and gums twice daily for 2 minutes each time is essential and will ensure that odour-causing bacteria are eliminated daily. A Sonic Toothbrush is the best tool to ensure teeth and gums are cleaned thoroughly, Flossing teeth daily is also essential for bad breath treatment.
Our Bad Breath Kit includes toothpaste for gum health, foaming mouthwash for bad breath and bad breath spray - everything you need to combat bad breath.
A Water Flosser is a great alternative to manual flossing if flossing is something you find difficult to do. Finally, using mouthwash after meals will help combat the bacteria that lead to halitosis. When gums and teeth are clean and healthy, bad breath can be managed and alleviated. Another important element of a good oral care routine is regular dental check-ups. We recommended visiting a dentist every 6 months.
Active Ingredients & Targeted Solutions
When treating halitosis, always use oral care solutions that contain active ingredients. Active ingredients work to protect tooth and gum health and will prevent and target halitosis-causing bacteria and plaque. Look for formulations that are clinically proven, clean, and include active ingredients like Chlorhexidine and Fluoride to combat bad breath. It also helps to choose oral care solutions that are tailor-made to combat bad breath. The more prescriptive your oral care solutions are, the better results you will see in your oral health.
Avoid Smoking
Smoking is another major cause of halitosis. Not only does nicotine use cause gum disease, but it also dries out the mouth which can cause smoker's breath. Though halitosis can be managed by maintaining a good oral care routine, only giving up smoking will get rid of oral malodour permanently.
Avoid Certain Foods & Drinks
Due to the way the body digests certain foods, many can cause short-term and mild halitosis. Alcohol and coffee are among the drinks that can cause bad breath, as they dehydrate the mouth and affect saliva production, too. When treating halitosis caused by these foods and drinks, make sure you stay hydrated and use an alcohol-free, active ingredient mouthwash after meals.
Seek Professional Advice and Treatment
If you are maintaining oral health with a good daily oral care routine, and follow the steps above but still experience halitosis, you should seek advice and treatment from your dentist. In some cases, long-term or severe halitosis can be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay, both of which require professional treatment. Only through professional treatment for these oral care issues can you get rid of bad breath permanently.