Summary 

Bad breath can be caused by poor oral hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth and a variety of other factors. Whilst maintaining good dental habits, staying hydrated and visiting your dentist regularly can help keep your breath fresh, if bad breath persists, it may indicate an underlying issue that requires professional attention. 

Let’s face it, bad breath is something we’ve all worried about at some point. Whether it’s the morning-after a garlic-heavy dinner or a persistent smell that just won’t budge, it’s not only embarrassing, but can also be a signal that something more serious is going on. 

While breath mints and chewing gum can offer a quick fix, they often just mask the issue. To tackle it properly, it’s important to understand what might be causing the problem in the first place.

Why Does My Breath Smell? 

There are many potential causes of bad breath (or halitosis), and most of them start in the mouth. Common culprits include:

• Poor Oral Hygiene
  If you’re not brushing and flossing thoroughly, food particles and bacteria can build up around your teeth, tongue and gums. This build-up produces an unpleasant smell and can eventually lead to gum disease or tooth decay.
• Gum Disease
  Persistent bad breath can be one of the earliest signs of gum disease. Caused by plaque buildup along the gum line, gum diseasecan create deep pockets where bacteria thrive, resulting in a lingering smell that brushing alone won’t solve. (professional gum disease treatment is required). 
• Dry Mouth
  Saliva plays a big role in keeping your mouth clean by washing away bacteria. If your mouth is dry (due to medication, dehydration, or even sleeping with your mouth open), bacteria can multiply more quickly, leading to bad breath.
• Infections or Tooth Decay
  A dental abscess, decaying tooth, or infection in the gums or tonsils can all produce a strong, unpleasant odour. If your bad breath is accompanied by pain or swelling, it’s worth booking an appointment as soon as possible as you may need infected tooth treatment, like extraction or a root canal. 
• Diet and Lifestyle Habits
  Foods like garlic, onions and coffee can all leave their mark, while an excessive amount of sugary snacks and smoking can also contributes to bad breath and can dry out the mouth. These lifestyle factors are often easy to spot and adjust.

Could It Be Something Else?

In some cases, persistent bad breath may point to an issue beyond the mouth. Conditions like acid reflux, sinus infections or even diabetes can sometimes affect how your breath smells.

If we suspect your bad breath isn’t caused by a dental issue, we may recommend a chat with your GP to rule out any underlying health concerns. That way, you’ll have a clearer idea of what’s going on and how to treat it effectively.

Tips to Keep Your Breath Fresh

If your breath could use a little refresh, try these oral health tips:

• Brush and floss twice daily to remove plaque and trapped food. Make sure you’re using the right toothbrush and toothpaste for your needs.  
• Don’t forget your tongue! Use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to clean the surface of your tongue where bacteria can linger.
• Stay hydrated to keep saliva flowing and your mouth naturally clean.
• Cut down on sugary snacks and acidic drinks, which can feed bacteria.
• Visit your dentist regularly for routine check-ups and professional cleanings – especially if you’ve noticed a change in your breath.

When to Seek Help

If you’re brushing, flossing and staying hydrated but still struggling with bad breath, it’s time to get it checked out. Persistent halitosis may be a sign of something that needs more than just good hygiene, like gum disease or an infected tooth. 

Our dentists and the Family Dental Clinic can help identify the root cause and put a plan in place to get your oral health (and your confidence) back on track.

Worried about bad breath that won’t go away?

To book yourself in for your routine hygiene appointment, contact our Chichester dental clinic today by calling 01243 771171. 

Summary 

Severe pain, swelling, bleeding, infections or damaged teeth are all signs of a dental emergency. Acting quickly can relieve discomfort, prevent complications, and even save a tooth. Knowing which symptoms need urgent care and which can wait helps you make the right call when something doesn’t feel right.

When it comes to dental problems, it’s not always easy to know what counts as an emergency and what can wait until your next routine appointment. But when something doesn’t feel right, especially if there’s pain, swelling, or bleeding, it’s best not to ignore it.

In this post, we’ll walk you through what qualifies as a dental emergency, what symptoms to look out for, and what steps you should take if you or a loved one experiences one. 

What Is Considered a Dental Emergency?

A dental emergency is any issue involving your teeth, gums, or mouth that needs immediate attention to stop bleeding, save a tooth, manage severe pain, or treat an infection. These situations usually can’t wait for a regular dental check-up and need urgent care – sometimes even the same day. 

If you’re unsure whether what you’re experiencing is a true emergency, the general rule is this: if it hurts, swells, bleeds, or interferes with eating or speaking—it’s worth calling your dentist.

Common Signs of a Dental Emergency

Here are some tell-tale signs you should never ignore:

1. Severe Toothache or Pain

Persistent, throbbing pain is often a sign of an infection. If the pain is affecting your ability to eat, sleep, or concentrate, it’s time to seek infected tooth treatment. 

2. Swelling in the Mouth or Jaw

Swelling could indicate a tooth infection, abscess, or injury. This type of swelling may be accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth or fever, which are signs the infection could be spreading.

3. Knocked-Out or Loose Teeth

If a tooth is knocked out completely, there’s a small window of time (ideally within 30–60 minutes) to save it. Try to keep the tooth moist and contact your dentist immediately. A suddenly loose adult tooth is also a red flag.

4. Broken or Chipped Teeth (Especially If It Hurts)

A cracked or chipped tooth might not always hurt, but if there’s pain, sensitivity or exposed nerves, it needs urgent care. Left untreated, it can lead to infection or further damage.

5. Bleeding That Won’t Stop

Uncontrolled bleeding from the gums or after an injury can be serious. While mild gum bleeding (like from flossing) isn’t usually an emergency, heavy or prolonged bleeding is.

6. Abscesses or Signs of Infection

A dental abscess is a pocket of pus caused by a bacterial infection and can become life-threatening if not treated quickly. Symptoms include pain, swelling, fever, and a pimple-like bump on the gums.

What to Do in a Dental Emergency

If you’re experiencing any of the symptoms above, here’s what to do:

• Call your dentist right away. Most dental practices, including Family Dental Clinic, set aside time for emergency appointments. 
• Explain your symptoms clearly. This helps the dental team assess urgency and advise you on next steps.
• Manage pain or swelling at home by using over-the-counter pain relief and a cold compress on the outside of your cheek.
• If a tooth is knocked out, keep it in milk or inside your cheek (if safe to do so) and get to the dentist ASAP.

When It’s Not an Emergency (But Still Worth Booking In)

Some dental issues don’t need same-day treatment but still require attention. These include:

• Mild tooth sensitivity 
• Dull toothache that comes and goes
• Lost fillings or crowns without pain
• Broken braces (unless they’re cutting into your mouth)

In these cases, it’s still a good idea to call your dentist and book the next available appointment.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your oral health. If something doesn’t feel right, trust your instincts and give your dentist a call. Acting quickly can make a big difference – whether that’s clearing up an infected wisdom tooth or simply easing your pain.

Need to see an emergency dentist in Chichester?If you’re experiencing an urgent dental issue, please contact our Chichester dental clinic on 01243 771171 or leave a message and we’ll get back to you.