Friday, December 18, 2009

Causes of Bad Breath


There are many myths and rumors about the causes of bad breath. From underlying medical conditions to teeth cavities to decaying food particles left in the mouth. Although all these can be considered as causes of bad breath, the real cause could be traced back to one single culprit – bacteria, or more precisely, the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria that normally live in our mouths.

These bacteria make their homes in the surface of the tongue and in the throat where they are responsible for assisting us in digestion. They help by breaking down proteins found in certain specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or “broken down” oral tissue.

When certain conditions identified as the causes of bad breath are present, these bacteria break down proteins at a much higher rate than normal. This also means that they release higher levels of waste products than normal.

The proteins in foods contain two major amino acid components – cysteine and methionine. Both of these amino acids are dense with sulfur, an extremely odorous substance. When bacteria metabolizes proteins, these sulfur components of amino acids are released as Hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous bad tasting compounds. Together, these compounds which are the causes of bad breath are known as volatile sulfur compounds.

Now, one thing you should know about these bacterial causes of bad breath is that they are anaerobic, which literally means “without oxygen.” In other words, they thrive in places where the environment contains ZERO oxygen.

You might ask why bacteria that supposedly live without oxygen could survive in the mouth where oxygen can flow freely through. Well, for the simple reason that these bacteria are smart little critters. Smart in the sense that they don’t exactly expose themselves to the oxygen-rich parts of the mouth and instead choose to hide in places where oxygen couldn’t get to them.

And where are these places? The back of your tongue, under layers of plaque, beneath food debris, and other such convenient hiding places.

So if you are wondering why you still have bad breath even though you regularly scrape your tongue and use mouthwash, then wonder no more. These bacterial causes of bad breath don’t live on the surface of your tongue. Instead, they live in between the papillae located in the back of your tongue where oxygen couldn’t get to them.

In addition, mouthwash does not normally get rid of these bacterial causes of bad breath. And make no mistake that having these bacteria in your mouth is a normal occurrence. Everyone has some type of bacterial flora in the mouth, since, as already mentioned, these microorganisms actually help in digestion. They only become a problem when these bacteria go on overdrive and release more volatile sulfur compounds, causing bad breath to be expelled.

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Aspartame and Bad Breath

Have you heard or read about the issues on aspartame and bad breath?

Numerous researches have found out that aspartame and bad breath are related in a way that aspartame causes bad breath. Well, you may find this unbelievable though as aspartame is one of the most commonly used ingredients in some chewing gums and mints that are deemed to reduce bad breath. Unfortunately, that is not what most of the scientifically advanced studies have found out. Aspartame is said to be harmful not only to your breath, but more to your health.

But, what really is aspartame? How are aspartame and bad breath closely related?

Aspartame is in the first place the technical name for the brand names NutraSweet, Spoonful, Equal-Measure and Equal. It was accidentally discovered by James Schlatter in 1965 when he was testing an anti-ulcer drug. It was approved in the 1981 for dry goods and for carbonated beverages in 1983, but according to some reports, aspartame was originally approved for dry goods on July 26, 1974, but several objections were raised leading to certain investigations about how the aspartame works and how it affects general health, not only bad breath.

Following the investigations conducted, several experts have deemed aspartame as the most dangerous substance on the market that is added to foods. According to certain reports, this substance accounts for about more than 75 percent of the adverse reactions to food additives, and many of these reactions are serious that they lead to seizures and even death. And, much to your surprise, aspartame causes serious conditions that may lead to the development of bad breath, such as diabetes, vomiting, breathing difficulties, allergies and a lot more degenerative disorders. It is in this sense actually that aspartame and bad breath is closely related. For instance, diabetes caused by aspartame intake is deemed as one of the primary causes of bad breath. There is also vomiting which may cause the so-called “situational bad breath” or a stinky breath that remains for a short period of time.

Well, because of such sample conditions, aspartame and bad breath as highly considered in the medical world as two culprits of oral health, the reason that most of the experts today strongly recommend people to avoid aspartame and bad breath. They developed food products such as mints and chewing gums that contain no aspartame to prevent bad breath and other serious disorders. The idea behind this is that when you intake a mint that contains aspartame, you are at the same time introducing two things that trigger the development of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth – protein and alcohol. Once the aspartame is taken, it creates an oral environment that is ideal for the volatile sulfur compounds to grow, producing bad breath in the end. It is this process that shows the real connection between aspartame and bad breath.

Wednesday, December 16, 2009

How to Make Dog Bad Breath Go Away


So you’re a dog lover. Is your pet affected by bad breath?

Wondering how to make dog bad breath go away? Well, bad breath in dogs is not a new concept. Thousands of dogs have bad breath and that thousands of their owners are looking for some possible ways to eliminate the problem. Fortunately, bad breath in dogs is treatable. So if you are a dog lover and currently worrying on the health of your pet, then don’t worry as there is a chance for you to get rid of your dog’s bad breath.

But how you can actually make dog bad breath go away?

Experts have left numerous solutions for you to consider in case you are wondering how to make dog bad breath go away. One of the most recommended solutions is to clean or brush the dog’s teeth regularly. Just note and understand that brushing your pet’s teeth is the best primary method for preventing bad breath. You can use a child’s toothbrush and malt favored toothpaste designed for animals. And, when brushing concentrate not only on the teeth, but on the gums margins as well. At first you may find your dog disliking the procedure, but as you go on your pet may learn to accept the toothbrush, so just continue doing it.

Another effective answer for the question on how to make dog bad breath go away is to offer your dog a mouthwash. There are some mouthwashes out there designed for dogs and other pets after all. A number of veterinary hospitals, in fact, have supplied and sell mouthwashes for your dogs. However, in order to eliminate bad breath in dogs, it is best to look for mouthwashes that contain enzymes that dissolve plague and help reduce bacteria in the mouth. If you wish to know how to make dog bad breath go away, then this is a good move for you to take. Mouthwashes may not be as effective as brushing the teeth, but they are better than the other home care suggestions.

You can further eliminate bad breath in dogs by offering your pet some kind of chewy treats. A number of treats are offered nowadays in some pet stores and they usually come impregnated with enzymes that help to minimize dental plague. Most of those who are wondering how to make dog bad breath go away often use nylon bones that are said to work equally as well if the dog accepts them. You can also feed your pet some dog biscuit to prevent the buildup of tartar.

Finally, it is worth noting that many of those of are wondering how to make dog bad breath go away have considered a direct dental check up in the nearest pet clinics. They usually consider check ups yearly for the reason that dental examinations are highly useful for maintaining your dog’s oral health. This is also deemed necessary as there are some instances in which your dog’s bad breath is caused by some serious conditions like kidney or liver disease. So how to make dog bad breath go away involves yearly check ups and dental examinations. This way, you can identify the real cause of bad breath and in the end do something to prevent it.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Babies & Bad Breath

Generally, babies are noted to have pleasing and sweet breath.

However, this is not true at all times as babies can also have bad breath. Yes, hundreds of mothers have reported this condition, and many of them have felt little embarrassed as to how foul the breath of their babies smells.

Babies bad breath is something that should not be left unattended or ignored. The degree of foulness in the breath may mean a serious infection. It could be a throat or mouth infection, or it could be sinusitis that causes the babies bad breath. So mothers who have noticed frequent babies bad breath should consult a physician to identify the cause. Ask the pediatrician to inspect the gums and teeth of your child, and if the doctor finds certain problems associated with babies bad breath, then see a dentist.

Babies bad breath can also be a result of mouth breathing. Mouth breathing usually occurs as soon as the baby sleeps. This is actually the condition in which the muscles in the baby’s mouth relax and the production of saliva drops, leaving the mouth dry. Once the mouth is dried, bacteria tend to grow in numbers and the longer the period that the baby sleeps, the higher the number of bacteria in the baby’s mouth rises. This is actually one of the reasons that babies and adults all have the so-called “morning breath”.

So to prevent babies bad breath with this kind of condition, it is best to clean your baby’s mouth first thing in the morning. You can teach your toddlers the proper way of brushing their teeth, and you can even teach them how to clean their tongue to eliminate bad breath. Always assist them.

In addition, your baby could develop bad breath if he or she sucks his thumb. This will tend to dry the mouth, then creating an ideal environment for the odor-causing bacteria to thrive and grow. This is also true when your baby is using a pacifier or sucks on a blanket. What’s more worthy to note here is that babies bad breath can be made intense if it happens that the object your child is sucking have an odor to repeated exposure to saliva or oral bacteria.

To control the growth of bacteria in your baby’s mouth, make sure that the hands of your child are properly washed. Also, never let him or her suck the blankets or un-sterilized pacifiers. If you want him or her to play with the pacifier, make sure that you have sterilized it. Finally, try to encourage your child to stop the sucking habit if you can. Of course, that may seem easier said than done, but just try. There’s nothing wrong with trying for the better, after all.

Monday, December 14, 2009

Frequent Bad Breath in Children


Bad breath affects children in the same way it affects adults.

It is not necessarily a sign of a more serious health condition though, but a frequent bad breath in children can be distressing not only for the child, but for the parents too.

There are a number of causes associated with frequent bad breath in children. Some medical researches have noted that a frequent bad breath in children may be caused normally by mouth breathing due to colds, allergies, sinus infections, or enlargement of tonsils blocking the nasal passages; dehydration; thumb sucking; increased bacterial activity in the mouth at night; infrequent snacking and drinking throughout the day; and improper brushing. All of these are deemed culprits for the reason that they tend to cause mouth drying, which in turn allows the increase of the number of bacteria in the mouth resulting to a stinky breath.

Knowing the culprits, it is now so far understandable that the real root of frequent bad breath in children is mouth drying. So to prevent or cure frequent bad breath in children, it is necessary to maintain the saliva production so to decrease the mouth bacteria. But, the question is in what possible way will the saliva production be increased? Well, there are actually a lot of ways that parents may consider to treat their child’s bad breath. One of the best ways is to ensure that your child gets plenty of fluids throughout the day. This is pretty self-explanatory as less fluids means less saliva, and less saliva means a dryer mouth. So if possible, offer frequent drinks throughout the day as it may helps flush out the odor-causing bacteria in your child’s mouth.

In case of allergy and colds, a frequent bad breath in children can be prevented by treating the problem with saline or a nasal aspirator suctioned in your child’s nose. You can apply this to your child at night before he or she goes to bed. In this way, post-nasal drip as well as mouth breathing can be reduced. Post-nasal drip and mouth breathing as mentioned earlier are two common causes of frequent bad breath in children.

To further treat frequent bad breath in children, try to teach your children the importance of oral hygiene. Make your child aware that proper cleaning of the mouth right after every meal is very important in treating frequent bad breath he or she is suffering from. Also, teach your child the proper way of brushing the teeth. Assist your child, but while you are helping, make sure that your child knows the importance of brushing not only the teeth, but also the tongue and sides of the mouth. Also teach your child the proper way of flossing.

If after doing all of these suggestions mentioned above and you still find your child suffering from frequent bad breath, don’t hesitate to call or see a doctor. A frequent bad breath in children that appears after four to five days of the initial treatment may signal something serious. It could mean an infection, or something that is chronic. So call your dentist or your child’s physician and talk about the problem.

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Bad Breath and Chewing Tobacco


Bad breath or in medical term halitosis is a result of poor oral and dental hygiene and can be a sign of other health problems. In addition, it is also caused by eating raw onions or garlic.

Bad breath is sometimes temporary and will be gone in a matter of days. Most commonly, bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria living in your mouth. We all have these bacteria in our mouth, which only means that we can have bad breath anytime anywhere.

If you don’t immaculately brush and floss your teeth and scrape or brush your tongue every time you brush your teeth, bad breath will result. If you don’t practice proper oral and dental habit, you chances of having an unpleasant breath smell are huge! Imagine the food particles stuck in between your teeth, around the gums, and on your tongue which are not removed. The odor-causing bacteria will breed happily on those friendly environments you created for them, which will eventually, lead to bad breath!

Bad breath and chewing tobacco is interrelated with each other. Smoking tobacco products can cause bad breath and chewing tobacco based- product can also cause breath. Basically, any tobacco based product if smoked or chewed not only cause bad breath, but also stain your teeth, reduce your ability to taste food (as tobacco affect your taste buds), and damage gum tissues.

Smoking tobacco can have a drying effect in your mouth, and dry mouth is likely to have bad breath. The absence of saliva in your mouth makes the odor-causing bacteria to grow, thus results to bad breath. Both by smoking or chewing tobacco- based product, the damages that that it does to your teeth and mouth are the same and they all lead to bad breath.

You may think that chewing isn’t that dangerous than having smoke in your lungs which tobacco-based does. You’re wrong! Chewing tobacco is as dangerous as smoking tobacco it self. The nicotine found in the tobacco is an addictive drug and it sticks to your teeth. Have you notice the dark brown build-up on the teeth of smokers, especially those with poor oral and dental hygiene? That is nicotine! It damages your teeth and deteriorates your gums resulting to a gum disease. You should also know that gum disease is one of the biggest contributing factors of bad breath.

If you want to keep your mouth as healthy and fresh all the time, you need to invest time and effort for its maintenance. You should eliminate your problem with bad breath and chewing tobacco habit if you want to keep your mouth’s sweet and fresh breath

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Frequent Bad Breath

It may sound disgusting, yet unfortunately it is the common problem in the present.

What do you think is the reason why thousand and millions of dollars are spent to produce bad breath products and consumers spending a large amount of money to buy these products? It’s an obvious confirmation that this condition exist. People don’t only buy these stuffs just for oral and dental care, but also they purchase them to remedy their bad breath condition.

I once had a friend who suffered frequent bad breath. Our other friends and I couldn’t bring ourselves to tell her about her condition for fear that she might get hurt. I remembered her always eating mint candies and using mouthwash. At least, she knew then that she had bad breath. The cause of her condition is due to poor dental and gum care. Her gums frequently bleed and her teeth are not in “good shape”. We never got the chance to tell her until now and we are still friends.

But, before you practice your dialogue on how to tell someone of their bad breath, you should know that bad breath is sometimes temporary. Bad breath, though, is not only caused by dental and oral problems. It can be caused by certain foods they have eaten like onions and garlic, from smoking tobacco products, drinking alcoholic beverages, drinking too much coffee, or from an infection that will pass in a few days. But, all these causes are temporary and will be gone in a day or so. It’s a waste of time to embarrass a person by telling her or him the problem.

In the case of frequent bad breath, you may tell the person of the problem. That is if, you are more than just an acquaintance and maybe in a position to do so. If otherwise, or the person is someone in position of authority like your supervisor or boss, leave it alone unless you are going to smell his/her dragon breath.

If you are so determined to speak up and really eager to tell someone their bad breath condition, you should consider a lot of things from embarrassing to hurting the person’s feelings. Put your self in that person’s shoes. How would want the approach to be and how would you feel? These questions will serve as your guide on how to tell someone about their condition without causing so much damage. Before this “big day” comes, educate and equip yourself of any available remedies for frequent bad breath to be able to offer suggestions and not just deliver the news.

In addition, frequent bad breath is a sign of other serious health problem that needs immediate attention. If so, see your doctor the soonest possible time. If telling someone about the condition might help in determining if the frequent bad breath may or may not be due to undiagnosed health problem.

Thursday, December 10, 2009

Dealing with Bad Breath

Whether it is your own or someone else’s, most of us suffers from bad breath.

The condition is perhaps the most common and most embarrassing malady that affects an individual. It can occur to any of us at any time – early in the morning, during stressful situations like exams or business presentations, and after eating spicy foods.

Experts believe that 85 to 90 % of bad breath comes from the mouth – or more precisely, sources found in the mouth, such as leftover food particles and volatile sulfur compounds produced by the over 170 different types of bacteria living in the mouth. These bacteria feed on foods rich in proteins, such as meat, poultry, and dairy. And in the process of metabolizing these foods, the bacteria will release putrid waste products that causes bad odor.

Although these microorganisms naturally occur in the mouth, too much bacterial flora will result in the highly undesirable condition of bad breath. That is why dealing with bad breath means dealing with these bacteria. The best way to accomplish that, of course, is through proper oral hygiene.

Dealing with bad breath will most certainly involve brushing your teeth after every meal, flossing between teeth, and rinsing with antibacterial mouthwash. Doing all these things will remove the plaque, food debris, and other particles in your mouth that can lead to bad breath.

In addition, dealing with bad breath may also involve avoiding certain types of foods. Whether you like it or not, the foods you eat can affect your breath. That is why temporary bad breath often sets in after eating particularly spicy foods like those that contain a lot of garlic and onions.

These foods have odors that get expelled through the lungs after the foods have been digested and dissolved in the bloodstream. Once the blood moves towards the lungs, the odors are released through the nasal passages.

Practicing ordinary oral hygiene in dealing with bad breath is not guaranteed to work if you keep on eating these kinds of food. As mouthwash can only mask the odor and brushing and flossing can only keep bad odor from coming out of your mouth, nothing therefore can stop the odors from coming out of your nose.

Dealing with bad breath out of nose requires a more positive approach, such as avoiding or minimizing the intake of these foods.

There are also several other causes of bad breath, which when dealt with should solve the problem of bad breath. For instance, people with periodontal disease, or what is more commonly known as gum disease, perpetually expel a bad smell through their mouth when breathing or speaking. Dealing with bad breath in this case will have to involve dealing directly with the disease causing bad breath.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Get Rid of Bad Breath

What causes bad breath? There are many rumors surrounding this embarrassing condition.

Some people believe the odor comes from the mouth while others suppose that it must come from somewhere in the gastrointestinal tract.

Well, let the rumors be dispelled right now, as air can only escape from the esophagus in the form of the occasional burp. So unless you burp more often than normal, the cause of your bad breath may just come from something in your mouth.

While it is true that some forms of chronic bad breath may actually be caused by an underlying physical illness affecting the gastrointestinal tract, most bad breath cases are caused by bad oral hygiene. This goes without saying that one effective way to get rid of bad breath is to brush and floss your teeth and clean your mouth often.

In addition to practicing good oral hygiene, there are also certain steps you can take to get rid of bad breath. Below are just some of these steps:

Watch the Food You Eat

More often than not, the cause of temporary bad breath is the foods you eat. For instance, you may have eaten a meal and then suffered embarrassing bad breath later. You can blame the garlic, cabbage, or onions contained in your foods as these are rich in sulfur compounds which cause bad odor.

To get rid of bad breath caused by foods you ate, it is necessary to brush your teeth thoroughly after eating these kinds of foods. Or you can minimize your intake of these foods. You may also get rid of bad breath by using a good mouthwash but note that these liquid washes are only good for masking the odor. They do not really get rid of bad breath; at least not in the permanent sense.

Bacteria

Bacteria are also another cause of bad breath. Over 170 different types of bacteria live in the mouth. It’s no surprise really considering how bacteria love damp places and your mouth certainly is conducive to bacterial flora.

Now, if you do not brush your teeth after a meal, the bits of food left in your mouth become a virtual “feast” for these living bacteria. And in the process of metabolizing these, these bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds which are extremely odorous.

To get rid of bad breath, you therefore need to remove these bacteria from your mouth. How? Well, take the fact that these bacteria are mostly anaerobic, meaning they cannot live in the presence of oxygen. In fact, the only way they even manage to survive in your mouth where oxygen passes through often is if they hide themselves behind plaque and food debris. If you get rid of these – plaque and food debris – then you get rid of bad breath.

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Bad Breath after Wisdom Tooth Pulled

Have you experienced bad breath after you had your tooth pulled- wisdom tooth, to be more specific because it is the farthest part where you can hardly reach during oral hygiene?

If you have not experienced bad breath after wisdom tooth pulled or extracted, you might be wondering what the connection is. As we are all aware of, bad breath is commonly and normally caused by odor-causing bacteria that exist in our mouth. But then again, there are still other causes, like postnasal drip, tonsillitis, and many more. Another common about bad breath is that more and more people are suffering with this condition. That does not exclude me (fortunately, mine is not chronic). Chronic bad breath needs triple the care because of its underlying causes. Temporary bad breath is what most people are experiencing.

Let us go back to bad breath after wisdom tooth pulled, before I tell you all my bad-breath encounters. Halitosis or bad breath following dental extraction is a sign of a particular problem that you must pay attention to. The unhealed tooth socket on the back part of your mouth, where your wisdom tooth was pulled out, is the underlying reason of your bad breath. It is known as dry socket and it occurs when there is no blood clot in the hole that the tooth was taken out from. It is very important for that socket to have blood clot to be able to stop the bleeding, and most importantly to begin the healing process.

The bad breath after wisdom tooth pulled comes with a moderate to severe pain. Regardless of the cause of the pain or how bad it feels, you should see your dentist or dental surgeon right away. It is only them who know all about dry socket and bad breath after wisdom tooth pulled and they’re the ones who can help heal the dry socket. You will be instructed not to smoke, suck on straws, eat crunchy foods, or brush strongly on the area of dry socket and you should strictly follow these instructions for your own sake. You can’t be suffering the pain and bad breath for who knows how long! There is no need for you to worry with regards to keeping your mouth clean and fresh for they would tell you how to do it the right way without jeopardizing your dry socket.

Bad breath after wisdom tooth pulled is due to unhealed socket which bacteria can grow. If that happened, it is likely for that socket to inflame and if this problem won’t be addressed sooner, this could lead to a more serious bad breath issue. The bad breath after wisdom tooth is pulled will be gone as soon as the socket is healed and you can resume to cleaning your teeth without fear of putting the socket at risk

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Bad Breath Cause

For most people, the single most frequent bad breath cause is the bacteria that live in the mouth.

There are over 170 different types of these bacteria in your mouth and most of them are anaerobic. This means that they cannot live in oxygen-rich atmospheres.

So how do these anaerobic bacteria manage to survive in the mouth where oxygen flows in freely? Simple. These bacteria hide in places where oxygen can’t get to them – in the back of the tongue, behind plaques, and burrowing under leftover particles of food.

Like any normal living organism, the bacteria found in the mouth spend most of their lives consuming food and excreting waste. They feed on food debris left in our mouth after a meal, and in the process of metabolizing these foods, they release waste compounds that are one of the bad breath causes.

Have you ever smelled a rotten egg? It’s not a very pleasant smell, is it? Well, the stench associated with rotten eggs is actually caused by the sulfur compound called hydrogen sulfide. Methyl mercaptan, another sulfur compound, is likewise the cause of that stinky smell emanating from feed lots and barnyards. Also, the odor you usually associate with the ocean is in part due to the presence of dimethyl sulfide, yet another sulfur compounds.

All these sulfur compounds are released by bacteria in the mouth when they consume food. Together, they are called volatile sulfur compounds – “volatile” because they evaporate easily, even in normal temperatures. Presence, therefore, of these volatile sulfur compounds are the leading bad breath causes in people.

But in addition to volatile sulfur compounds, there are also other bad breath causes. That is, the bacteria in the mouth also produce other waste products other than sulfur compounds that have their own unpleasant odors. These alternative bad breath causes include:

* Cadaverine
* Putrescine
* Skatole
* Isovaleric acid

Do not think that anyone is immune to these bad breath causes. After all, the bacteria that produce these compounds exist in every person’s mouth so no one is exempted. Every one of us has these bad breath causes or agents present in the mouth although in relatively low levels so they are not otherwise detected. Only when the presence of these compounds becomes so high do we begin to detect bad breath.

Bad dental hygiene can also be a bad breath cause. When you don’t brush your teeth after meals, you allow food debris and plaque to build up in your mouth. As mentioned, these plaques and foods are rich breeding grounds for anaerobic bacteria since they contain little oxygen. So the more plaques you have, the more breeding grounds you are providing for the bacteria to proliferate.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Treating Bad Breath is the Main Concern of Bad Breath Sufferers

If you have bad breath, you should not feel down and worry because this is one of the most common problems of people, which means that you are not alone. Though bad breath can affect your self confidence and self esteem, you should not let this condition gets into you. If you notice other people are keeping their distance, this could be a sign that you have one. Another way to find out if you have this condition is to lick your wrist and after a few seconds, smell the potion you have licked and if you don’t like the smell- you have bad breath!

Treating bad breath is the main priority of those who have this condition. Before you get excited to know the tips in treating bad breath, you should know first its causes. For all you know, it’s just all about you not being vigilant of your oral and dental hygiene.

You may think that your teeth look healthy and your gums, too and you start wondering why people tend to keep a little distant away from you. It is possible that a person with bad breath doesn’t know about it. But, what you don’t know is that there might be damages in between your teeth that can’t be reached through brushing. These stuffs happen, which is why it is very imperative to have a regular visit to your dentist.

Treating bad breath requires you to:
  • Have regular brushing of teeth, tongue scraping, dental flossing, mouth washing, and other daily necessities for your oral and dental hygiene
  • Regular check-ups to correct problem areas, such as gums and teeth
  • Chew sugar-free candies or chewing gum to stimulate saliva flow
  • Keep your mouth wet by literally drinking plenty of water to keep the bacteria activity in your mouth under control.
  • Eat fresh fruits and vegetables like carrots and celery to keep plaque from building up
  • Take vitamin C, especially for smokers since the nicotine contained in cigarettes destroys vitamin C. Vitamin c deficiency may be a cofactor-factor on bad breath condition. But, the most effective way is to quit smoking.
  • Try brushing your teeth and tongue with baking soda or use toothpaste enriched with baking soda if you can’t bring yourself to use baking soda.
  • Use mouthwash, but avoid using those with alcohol and dyes.
  • Gargle lukewarm water mixed with hydrogen peroxide, half a lemon juice, salt or baking soda. Best done before bedtime.
Treating bad breath takes a lot of effort, but what it is compared to the damages it gives you. Treating your bad breath is your way to boost your confidence again. In addition, Bad breath fortunately is not contagious. You can’t get bad breath from kissing someone with bad breath. However, it still needs to be treated the soonest possible time before it leads to another serious illness. Bad breath can also be a sign of other health problem, so if you think you have this condition see your dentist or periodontist immediately to resolve your bad breath issue.

Friday, December 4, 2009

Tea Tree Oil for Bad Breath

Tea tree oil has a long history of medicinal use.

Several researches have found out that this special herb has been used by aboriginals for thousands of years and several stories about a magical lagoon where the tea tree leaves have fallen and gathered were told.

Well, scientifically known as melaleuca alternifolia, the tea tree oil is said to have originated from Australia where it is named as a native Australian herb that possesses remarkable healing properties. It also grows in the Northern New South Wales, and the oil which is used for some medicinal purposes is actually derived from the cells of the tea tree leaves. The oil, for long years, has been used for surgery, skin care, and dental care.

Speaking of dental care, the tea tree oil is deemed potent for treating bad breath. It’s no wonder then that today, thousands of toothpastes and oral products are formulated with the tea tree oil on it. The oil is even applied in some mouthwashes and mixed in some solutions to eliminate bad breath.

Tea tree oil for bad breath is offered for some good reasons. In the first place, the tea tree oil for bad breath is antifungal and antiseptic that it can kill bacteria and fungi that thrive in the mouth through food particles that are left unwashed. It is its antiseptic property actually that makes tea tree oil for bad breathe a powerful disinfectant.

Aside from that, tea tree oil for bad breath is proven to have antibiotic properties that can help heal infections in the gums. They are said to be useful for treating severe chronic gingivitis and bleeding of the gums as they deeply penetrate to the skin, allowing the skin to heal and restore its original condition. This is perhaps one of the best reasons that most dental experts today recommend their patients to use toothpaste that contain tea tree oil for bad breath.

Numerous studies have also revealed that tea tree oil for bad breath is highly safe. As support for this is the fact that the oil is a 100% natural product. It is extracted entirely from a renewable natural resource, making it an environmentally friendly product. It is also worth noting that the tea tree oil for bad breath is derived from tea trees that are meticulously managed to make sure that the natural environment where they survive is intact and undisturbed.

However, there are certain cases of unfavorable effects of tea tree oil for bad breath. Some have noted that tea tree oil for bad breath may not totally eliminate plague. Some forms of allergies may even occur, but their incidence is tremendously low when compared to the synthetic products out there in the market.

With all the possible side effects of tea tree oil for bad breath, experts do recommend dental check up to accurately determine whether the oil you are using for your bad breath is the right option for you to consider or not. So before you use a tea tree oil for bad breath, see your dentist first.

Thursday, December 3, 2009

Common Bad Breath Causes

Have you experienced having someone close to you- a friend maybe, which happens to have stinky breath? Or, that you have a hard time telling someone that she/he has a bad breath? I understand because I had the same experience and no matter how much we wanted to tell that someone who has the terrible flaw, we still can’t do it, even if you can, the thought of spitting the words out is not easy. But, before we start feeling bad for anyone with bad breath, it would be best to know the possible bad breath causes.

Bad breath, or halitosis, is usually caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria also consume food and excrete wastes, just like humans do. The wastes produced by the bacteria are sulfur compounds, which are odorous and are usually one of the bad breath causes. But, we still have to consider that there are other factors which affect the odor of one’s breath, such as food, smoking, having a dry mouth, gum disease, sinus conditions, untreated medical conditions, etc.

Food is also one of the contributing factors of bad breath. There are some foods known to cause one’s mouth to stink, such as garlic and onions- the most common examples. Every time we eat, our digestive system breaks the food that we ate into molecules. If we have eaten odorous foods, the tendency is that these molecules are absorbed into our circulatory system, resulting to their distribution throughout our body as nourishment. During the circulation process, when the blood travels through our lungs, some of the molecules will be released into them and as a result, when we exhale we let out some of the odorous molecules- simply called bad breath. But this condition is temporary and will be gone in just a matter of day. So, to minimize this problem, try avoiding too much consumption of these kinds of foods.

Smoking maybe one of bad breath causes with which tar, nicotine and other bad smelling substance from tobacco smoke accumulate on the smoker’s teeth and oral tissue. But then this can be remedied through proper oral hygiene. On the other hand, smoking can lead to drying of oral tissues and those who smoke have greater risk of having gum disease than those who don’t, which are contributing factors to bad breath.

Are you one of those who don’t seem to have bad breath issues, yet have offending breath in the morning when you wake up? This is due to the reducing of salivary flow when we sleep, resulting to the drying of your mouth. The presence of moisture found in our mouth, like our saliva, makes us swallow, therefore, helping our mouth cleanse it. Every time we swallow, we also wash away the bacteria with the food with which they feed and the wastes they’ve produced.

Gum disease or periodontal disease is the second most common of bad breath causes. This disease is a problem mostly for people more than 35 years and above; the older you get the more likely your bad breath is caused by periodontal disease. This is a bacterial infection located in the tissues surrounding your teeth. This gum disease damaged the bones that hold the teeth in place and creating deep spaces between teeth and gums (called periodontal pockets) which can become an ideal ground for bacteria to live.

For all you know Sinus condition can contribute to your bad breath. Respiratory infections and allergies can promote the flow of postnasal drip onto the back part of your tongue. The discharge usually has a bad smell and taste, and worse, these are what bacteria will feed from which in turn produce stinky wastes- as a result bad breath!

Untreated medical condition may not be the primary reason of the bad breath causes, yet can be a potential contributing factor. If bad breath persists even after you have consulted your dentist and tried simple solutions, it’s about time you need to consult a doctor.

If you have stinky breath, it’s impossible that you can’t be aware of it for long. From the bad breath causes discussed above, they should give you clearer ideas of the possible underlying reasons why there are people with bad breath.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Bad Breath and Smoking

Do you have a bad breath? Do you smoke?
get the bad breath report
If so, then it could be your smoking habit that causes your bad breath. Yes, bad breath and smoking are two inseparable things. If one smokes, it follows that he or she has a bad breath, maybe not chronic but has a breath that smells like an ashtray.

Many people smoke for a number of reasons. Some say that smoking makes them feel good and it boasts their confidence to some degree. But, if you will look at it on a much deeper level, smoking may not only cause bad breath, but may even ruin your health and your future. Worse, you bad breath caused by your smoking habit may be the reason for breakups on loved ones’ relationships and broken business deals.

Because of this, bad breath and smoking are undoubtedly two unfavorable things that need to be eliminated. Fortunately, a number of solutions are available out there today to help you fight bad breath and smoking. But, the best thing to consider is nothing else but to quit smoking.

I know that it would be difficult to stop smoking especially if you are already accustomed to it, but it doesn’t mean that you can’t do anything to quit from it. You can talk to some people who have tried quitting from smoking and have successfully made it. Or, look for a healthy alternative that might eventually help you eliminate bad breath and smoking. Chew candies, for example, or simply try to discipline yourself. Keep yourself busy or do some exercises to help take your mind off smoking.

Also, to avoid bad breath and smoking, always keep in mind that smoking may not only alter your fresh breath, but can also stain your teeth. I bet you won’t love to see yourself with black teeth. That’s yucky, right? So, to keep yourself free from bad breath and smoking, it is important for you to note that a cigarette contains tar and nicotine that can buildup on the teeth, tongues and even sides of the cheeks. Aside from that, always bear in mind that smoking can irritate the tissues of your gums, and may even dry your mouth as it tends to inhibit the flow of saliva. In turn, this will lead to the buildup and growth of bacteria, causing bad breath.

But if you find yourself really pressured from quitting and you think that you can’t do it as soon as possible, still don’t lose hope. Bad breath and smoking can still be cured. But for the meantime, try to use certain mouthwashes to freshen your breath after smoking. A lot of mouthwashes are available out there, after all. Also, try to practice proper oral hygiene. Brush and floss your teeth, and clean your tongue and gums. Make sure that you have scraped off the levels of mucous in your tongue, where the odor-causing bacteria thrive and breed. In addition, drink plenty of water, and don’t leave your mouth dry. Note that a dry mouth is the favorite hub of odor-causing bacteria. So drink enough water to keep your mouth moist, thus reducing the chance of bacteria to grow.