Bad Breath
Posted by Ling on March 30, 2007
I have this dilemma.
I have a friend with bad breath.
And it’s bad breath associated with bad gums – I can tell from the smell.
I am not entirely sure whether they read my blog but if s/he does, I apologise.
But please please please, get help!
I have already subtly hinted to them, but it’s fallen into deaf ears.
Bad breath can be a sign of bad gums which can lead to loose teeth which can eventually make you lose your teeth ( = periodontitis)!!!
To see whether you have bad breath, here are some tests :-
1. Lick the inside of your wrist and wait 2 minutes. Smell it. If it smells, you have bad breath.
(Doesn’t work if you have a blocked nose)
2. If you are of Oriental descent and you haven’t been to a dentist for > 2 years plus you don’t floss regularly, then it’s likely that you have bad gums which can give you bad breath.
(Oriental people have raging gum disease!)
3. If you get bleeding gums often when you brush, then it’s an early sign of gum disease. Healthy gums are nicely firm and pink. Unhealthy gums are of red raw colour.
4. Go to mirror. Tilt your chin down and look at the back (i.e. tongue side) of your lower teeth. If you see yellowish deposits in-between your teeth, that is tartar (= calculus) which can lead to bad gums. If there is a gross build up and it is more dark yellow/brown, this is bad…see dentist immediately!
5. Check out your parents’ teeth – missing teeth / shrinking gums / loose teeth / bad breath => you are in danger! Gum disease can be hereditary!
(Poor me has inherited my Mum’s bad gums!!! But my gums have been stabilised by regular treatment)
6. Talk to your friends. If you notice that they don’t maintain eye contact or turn away slightly when you talk, it might mean that they’re trying to take in fresh air and not die from your bad breath!
(and yes, I admit that I do this to people with bad breath)
7. If you’re still unsure, come see me and ask me to do the Breath Test. If you pass the Breath Test from my sensitive nose, you should be fine!
(this service will be provided free of charge as long as I don’t get intoxicated!)
How to help your bad gums :-
1. Go to dentist/hygienist regularly
2. Brush and floss every day
- Mouthwash is largely ineffective and just a rip-off
- If you have been diagnosed with gum disease, you may have to use chlorhexidine mouthwash for a short period of time; but don’t use it unless you’ve been advised as it has bad side effects
- Mouthwash which “apparently” highlights the bacteria in your mouth and rinses them away is a lie…there’s tons of bacteria in your mouth…they just live there…end of!
- If you still insist on wasting your money to buy mouthwash (even after I’ve advised you after I researched this at university and got a good grade for my essay), then check the mouthwash contents carefully. Alcohol in the mouthwash (to make your mouth feel fresh) will eventually dry out your mouth, which will eventually lead to bad breath and you will fall into that vicious cycle of using more and more mouthwash!
Bad breath does NOT equate to bad gums.
1. Check your diet – is it low in fresh fruit and vegetables?
2. What is your fluid intake? Drink water, not coffee
3. Maybe you have underlying illness – see your doctor
(Disclaimer : Ling is not liable for anyone’s dental / eating habits after reading this blog and Ling cannot be sued for any comments made and Ling does not claim to be a guru of bad breath and bad gums)
BubbLes_yvee said,
lol!!! interesting! i’ll keep it in mind the things about the mouthwash… =p hehehehe
how r u neways?! have seeen u for absolutely yonks! xxxx
[Reply]
ice_ray said,
lol! Interesting… I heard these r causes of bad breath also – not eating breakfast in the morning and also not doing jobbies?!?! haha seriously though, i heard they r?
Hope your good!
RaY
[Reply]
sor_paw_ellen said,
yo~!! interesting blog ling… will keep these things in mind.. so glad that i’ve stopped usin mouthwash after a week… pure laziness i guess i was right!! haha!!
hope your good!!
[Reply]
enoch_hlh said,
what kinda report is this!?
[Reply]
seanafunk said,
obviously not me
[Reply]
gisan said,
liiiiiing.
this was an interesting blog.
i’m coming for a test now! heehe!
[Reply]
seanafunk said,
hmm, so who IS it?
[Reply]
tiko_tusukimi said,
I KNEW MOUTHWASH WAS A LIE!
ceci^_^
[Reply]
enoch_hlh said,
so bday stands for baptiseday?
[Reply]
First Kiss | said,
[...] Go to the Dentist – get your teeth checked and gums cleaned. If you need a filling done, get it done! Dental fillings are required if your tooth is decayed. Decay means rotting which means bad smell! Get a scale and polish because bad, bleeding gums can also mean bad breath! [...]
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