Bad breath (professionally known as halitosis) is something we all try our best to avoid, yet it is an extremely common condition. Whilst there are a number of causes for bad breath, it’s usually the result of poor oral hygiene caused by a build-up of bacteria on the teeth, tongue and gums.
It is our aim that our patients end their treatment with teeth that are not only straighter, but cleaner. We are sometimes asked by our patients how their orthodontic treatment will affect their oral hygiene and subsequently their breath.
Like so many other things to do with your mouth, a good hygiene routine is the best way to minimise any risk of suffering from bad odours. Maintaining a regular cleaning routine is even more important whilst wearing braces as food is more likely to get stuck in the spaces between your teeth and trapped by the brackets and wires.
It is worth noting that bad breath can also be linked to poor diet, ENT (ear, nose and throat) issues, dehydration and in some cases, it can even be related to stomach problems. For more information on general oral health and Halitosis, please visit the Oral Health Foundation website.
Here are some of our top tips to help you avoid bad breath whilst wearing braces:
Dehydration slows your body’s production of saliva, allowing bacteria to grow. By making sure that you are keeping hydrated (Recommended daily water intake is 6-8 glasses) you will be positively impacting both your general and oral health.
Establish a thorough daily cleaning routine
You should gently brush and clean your teeth for 2 minutes, twice a day. Make sure to pay extra attention to your braces and the areas of your teeth and gums around them as well as the fronts and backs of your teeth. This will not only prevent a build-up of plaque that could contribute to bad breath but eliminate any risk of marks being left by the braces.
Carry an oral ‘travel’ kit
Carrying a small toothbrush, toothpaste and floss kit will help you to combat any trapped and strong-smelling foods after eating, improving your oral health throughout the day and eliminating any possibility of build-up.
Invest in a tongue scraper
We would recommend gently using a tongue scraper or tongue cleaner once a day. This helps to remove any unwanted bacteria build-up and keeps your breath fresh.
Keep regular hygiene and cleaning appointments
At the London Lingual Orthodontic Clinic, we are skilled in cleaning around braces. Our skilled hygienist (Yana), can provide professional teeth cleaning services to complement your orthodontic treatment, reaching in between the teeth and removing stains or discolouration.
As part of our service, we can also arrange for your hygiene appointment to be organised around your orthodontic appointment. Dr Asif will remove your wires before you see Yana, enabling the most thorough clean around your brackets before new wires are placed.