Where Bad Breath Comes From
Finding the right source is the whole of the solution.
Why you cannot smell your own breath
The sense of smell rapidly adapts to constant exposure, so your own breath becomes an unnoticed background. Cupping a hand over the mouth does not work either, since the exhaled air comes from the front while the odour is produced mostly at the back of the tongue.
Sources inside the mouth
- Bacteria in the rough surface at the back of the tongue
- Gum disease and accumulation in deep pockets
- Untreated decay and leaking fillings
- Areas that cannot be cleaned, such as under bridges
- A denture worn overnight and poorly cleaned
- The gum flap over a partly erupted wisdom tooth
- Dry mouth, reducing saliva's cleansing effect
Why mouthwash is not the answer
Mouthwash masks the odour temporarily; the fragrance fades within hours and the smell returns, the source untouched. Alcohol-based ones add a problem: they dry the mouth, raising bacterial load and worsening the odour long term.
Getting Here, Booking and Emergencies from Kultur
Route, booking and emergency arrangements for patients from Kultur.
Getting here from Kultur
Kültür lies in the Kepez district of Antalya; Kepez is one of the central districts, about 6 kilometres from the clinic. We also see patients from neighbouring areas that share the route from Kultur, such as Odabaşı, Ulus, Yeni Doğan, Ahatlı. You can ask for the location on WhatsApp when travelling from Kultur.
Appointments for Kultur
At this distance, splitting treatment into visits is no problem for patients from Kültür, and attending reviews is easy too. As with patients from Kepez generally, appointments for families from Kultur can be scheduled consecutively.
Emergencies from Kultur
Setting out from Kültür at night is quick; come without delay in an emergency, and calling as you leave means preparation is done in advance. For patients coming from Dental Clinic in Kultur, the clinic is open 24/7 and in an emergency the order is set by severity rather than arrival time. For spreading facial swelling, difficulty swallowing or breathing, or toothache with fever, go to the nearest emergency department.
Oral Health in Later Life: Shifting Priorities
Losing teeth is not a natural part of ageing. The threats to the mouth do change in later life, though, and a prevention plan that worked in youth can become inadequate if carried on unchanged.
The three problems that come to the fore
The risk profile shifts to these:
- Root decay: it advances fast on root surfaces exposed by recession
- Dry mouth: the commonest side effect of taking multiple medications
- Reduced dexterity: brushing quality falls without the person noticing
- Dentures that have lost their fit and tissue changes beneath
- Reduced vision: plaque and discolouration go unnoticed
Why root decay is different
The root surface is not covered by enamel; cementum and dentine begin dissolving at a much lower acid level. An acid exposure that would not affect enamel can therefore start decay on the root. Root decay also develops just below the gum, in an area that is hard to see, and can encircle the tooth. High-fluoride toothpaste and three-monthly reviews become the standard approach.
Making care sustainable
An electric brush, a manual brush with a thick or built-up handle, and long-handled interdental brushes close the gap when dexterity declines. Where help is needed, one thorough clean a day with a relative's assistance, preferably in the evening, can be enough. A plan being realistic matters more than its being perfect.
