Bad breath is pretty embarrassing but how can you tell if you’ve got bad breath?

There are some pretty obvious signs, like if people start to move away from you when you talk or hold their nose. If you’ve got a close friend, you could always ask them to be honest.

It might sound strange but there’s a simple test you can do to check if you have bad breath.

Lick the back of your hand and take a sniff – if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure your breath is bad too!

The most common cause is the smelly gases released by bacteria as they multiply on your teeth, gums and tongue.

Particles of food can get caught between your teeth and also start to whiff as they decompose. And strong food like coffee, onions and garlic can also make your breath stinky too.

Seriously, bacteria on teeth and gums causes decay and toothache, and can result in teeth needing to be removed.

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One of the warning signs of bacteria and decay is that you always have bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth. So yes! It DOES matter if you’ve got bad breath.

To prevent bad breath, keep your breath fresh. And to keep your breath fresh, clean your teeth twice a day – after breakfast and after supper before you go to bed.

You need to make sure that you do a thorough job – and get into every nook and cranny. And don’t forget to clean your tongue as well. You could use a special tongue brush to help.

If you really can’t seem to get rid of bad breath, it’s very important you visit your dentist as it might be a sign of an underlying problem.

Your dentist will be the best person to solve the puzzle of the pong! Seeing your dentist every 6 months is ideal. And don’t forget to see a hygienist once a year – they’re the ones that ensure all the nasty bacteria and plaque is removed from your teeth.

This will ensure you have the freshest smelling breathe, healthiest and whitest shining teeth around.

Click here for more from Professor Hallux’s Dental Depositary!

Bacteria and food deposits in teeth can cause bad breath and only brushing and flossing will get rid of those.
Your dentist is always on hand to help with any concerns you might have, no matter how embarrassing you think they might be.
You can help prevent bad breath by scrubbing!

If you liked this, you’ll love Professor Hallux’s Body Podcast for Kids! It’s packed full of amazing stuff about the human body and has loads more info about your gnashers!

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