A new study, published in the International Journal of Dental Hygiene has examined the impact that bad breath has on people’s quality of life.
They found that on average, people who suffered from bad breath were found to be twice as unhappy as those who didn’t.
People were questioned on specific aspects of their day and those with bad breath had 500% more negative experiences than those who had fresh breath.
Many people said they felt negatively impacted in regards to their self-esteem and confidence.
The strong links between oral health, lifestyle and mental health illustrated by this study has prompted leading charity, the Oral Health Foundation, to encourage people to maintain a good oral health routine and consider the wider health issues associated with poor oral health.
Speaking on the link of mental and oral health, Dr Nigel Carter OBE, CEO of the Oral Health Foundation, said:
“Having a good oral health routine can help to improve a person’s outlook on life, positively impact upon their professional life and potentially even improve their personal relationships. Being rid of bad breath can be an important part of this and is usually relatively easy to achieve.
“Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes, – if someone suffers from persistent bad breath it is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth, gums and tongue.
“Also, bits of food that get caught between the teeth and on the tongue can rot and sometimes cause an unpleasant smell. It is relatively easy to get rid of as long as you brush your teeth for two minutes twice a day with a fluoride toothpaste.
“Using a mouthwash or sugar free chewing gum can also be an option in ridding bad breath, but if your bad breath is persistent it is important to get it checked out by your dental team as soon as possible as it could be a sign of gum disease or tooth decay.”