November 9th, 2010
Brushing, flossing, and gargling may all be part of your daily oral hygiene routine, but taking these steps may not be enough if you have other issues.
Medications like antidepressants, diuretics, and aspirin can dry the mouth. With dry mouth, there is a lack of saliva, and saliva is what rinses away bacteria that make breath odor foul.
Bacteria – Some people may be prone to bad breath more than others. Bacteria exist on the tongue, and expel gases as they munch on food particles and other substances broken down from saliva. Also, they multiply at night, since the salivary glands slow down when you are sleeping. H. pylori, a type of bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers, can cause bad breath and gum disease if it finds a place to reside in your mouth.
Respiratory tract infections- While gum and tooth infections can cause bad breath, so can bronchitis, sinusitis, and even colds. RTIs break down tissue, which starts a flow of mucus and cells that feed bacteria that can emit foul odors.
Skipping breakfast– Not only does breakfast benefit your body and mind, but it helps to stimulate saliva production and scrub bacteria from the tongue (depending in what you eat, of course).
Diet- Low-carb diets can burn stored fat, thus creating toxic-smelling ketones. Foods that generate large amounts of amino acids, like dairy products and foods high in protein, can fuel the bacteria that produce bad breath. Obesity has also been linked with bad breath.
Breathing out of your mouth- When the tissues in your mouth are dry, saliva is prevented from washing away bacteria; thus, bad breath is encouraged. Major candidates for this are people who suffer from sleep apnea, asthma, and snoring.
Chronic illnesses- Breath that is chronically potent in a certain smell can signify a disease. For example, kidney failure can make your breath smell fishy, and uncontrolled diabetes can make your breath smell fruity.
Alcohol- Plain and simple, alcohol is dehydrating, and having a dry mouth encourages bad breath.
Tags: Alcohol, bacteria, bad breath causes, breathing out of your mouth, chronic illnesses, diet, dry mouth, medication, mouth breathing, respiratory tract infections, skipping breakfast
Posted in alcohol, bad breath, bad breath cause, bad breath cure, colds, dry mouth | No Comments »
September 15th, 2010
The best way to take care of your mouth bones is by maintaining good diet, fitness, and oral health habits. However, there may be more to it than that. The Academy of General Dentistry says that more than 90% of all systemic diseases show up orally.
Dentists can be the first to point out a problem. Poor nutrition can lead to various diseases as well as poor oral health. By practicing good fitness and healthy eating, you can avoid cavities, periodontal disease, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Another problem that can be easily corrected is bruxism, better known as teeth grinding.
According to studies, an estimated 80-90% of the population grinds their teeth to a certain degree. stress causes the majority of these people to grind their teeth; however, it can result in the teeth wearing down and chipping. It could also cause sleep deprivation, headaches and jaw problems. What are some solutions to this problem?
1) Stop chewing gum
2) Exercise (i.e. take a hike)
3) Stop drinking beverages with caffeine (caffeine causes anxiety)
Someone who grinds their teeth may eventually need dental repair. If you hear popping noises coming from your jaw while eating, that may be a sign of jaw joint problems resulting from bruxism. Also, be careful of clenching your jaw.
Stress and Oral Care
Some people are so used to stress that they do not notice when it is happening. Emotional stress can cause oral health problems including: canker sores, dry mouth, lichen planus (lacy white lines, mouth sores, or red areas), burning mouth syndrome, and temporomandibular (jaw) joint disorders.
With stress, you are more likely to get cavities, gum (periodontal) disease, and bruxism. If you feel that may be under a high amount of stress, try to be more vigilant than ever with your oral care.
Brushing Teeth
If you do not brush food debris, sugars, and acids on your teeth, they can erode your tooth enamel and cause decay. Plaque, an invisible bacterial film, can build up, harden, and turn into tartar (which can only be removed by a dentist/hygienist). Eventually, this can cause tooth loss and periodontitis.
Toothbrushing Tips
- Brush your teeth 2-3X a day and/or after every meal
- Use the right toothbrush (soft with rounded bristles, long enough to reach the back teeth)
- Change your toothbrush every 3 months or less
- Floss everyday
- Eat healthier foods/snacks
Toothbrushing Steps
- Hold your toothbrush at a 45 angle against your gums
- Don’t miss any spots (start from one end and go to the other)
- On the outer/inner surfaces, vibrate the brush inhalf-tooth-wide strokes towards the gumline instead of scrubbing
- Clean your molars with a back-and-forth motion
- On the inside of your front teeth, hold the brush vertically with up-and-down strokes
- A complete brushing takes about 3 minutes!
Tags: brushing teeth, bruxism, burning mouth syndrome, Canker Sores, dry mouth, lichen planus (lacy white lines, mouth sores, or red areas), teeth grinding, temporomandibular (jaw) joint disorders, toothbrushing steps, toothbrushing tips
Posted in Canker Sores, dry mouth, gingivitis, gum disease, health, periodontal disease, toothbrush | No Comments »
June 3rd, 2010
As you get older, you’ll realize how important proper oral hygiene is. There are ways you can keep tabs on your oral health every month or so. Check your mouth for white and red patches, tongue flakiness, pigmented lesions, and sores with uneven borders. Oral cancer is rare with non-smokers, but it’s still possible to get it. In order to check yourself for it, look at your outer and inner lips, and all sides of the tongue. Look on the outside and inside if you cheers, and if there’s ever abnormalities that last longer than 14 days, ask a dental expert about it.
Here are some things that you can pay attention to in order to protect your oral health:
Canker sores: these tend to pop up when people are stressed. You can try a topical pain reliever directly on the spot. Dentists can also use a soft-tissue laser to get rid of them.
Fix bad breath: If you’re not sure that you have bad breath at any given moment, use a cotton ball or gauze pad on the back of your tongue and smell it. Whenever you brush your teeth, make sure to also get the back of your tongue, since this is where bacteria really like to proliferate. Alcohol is found in most mouthwashes, but the problem with that is that alcohol helps dehydrate — thus drying the gums and reducing saliva flow. After this, the bacteria multiples and causes the halitosis to worsen. Keep in mind that TetroBreath sells an alcohol-free mouthwash!
Back of the mouth: Make sure to get this area when brushing, especially along the gum lines. If you have a hard time accessing that area when brushing, slighty open the mouth.
Floss, floss, floss! This is especially needed to prevent tartar buildup. Toothbrushes can only get so far between the teeth–only 1 millimeter under the gums. The problem is that gum pockers are usually 3-4 millimeters, which is deeper. The bacteria feeds off the particles that get caught in these pockets, and if you don’t take care of the issue, you’ll have tooth decay and in extreme cases, jawbone loss. Keep in mind that 80% of adults allegedly have a form of gum disease!
By practicing good oral hygiene, you’ll help keep your smile white and clean!
Tags: bad breath, clean mouth, clean teeth, clean your mouth, Dentists, fix bad breath, good smile, gum loss, Halitosis Cure, halitosis free, how to tell if you have bad breath, jawbone loss, oral care, oral cleaning, oral hygiene, perfect smiles, smell breath, smell your breath, smell your own breath, tooth decay, white teeth
Posted in bad breath, Clean Tongue, gingivitis, halitosis, health, hygiene, oral hygiene, Uncategorized | No Comments »
May 21st, 2010
According to studies, cranberry juice helps prevent oral care issues, including gum and teeth diseases. A doctor from the University of Rochester examined the ability of cranberry juice to prevent Streptococcus mutans (great cause of tooth decay) bacteria from sticking to the teeth. This means that if bacteria cannot adhere, they cannot build up plaque on the teeth that can cause cavities and gum disease.
Research found that two daily doses of 25% cranberry juice can inhibit bacteria from binding and accumulating on an artificial tooth surface by 67-85%. Cranberry juice can also prevent urinary tract infections, ulcers, cardiovascular disease, various cancers, and stroke.
Tags: cranberries tooth decay, cranberry juice, cranberry juice gum disease, cranberry tooth enamel, gum disease, natural cures gum disease, urinary tract infections
Posted in gingivitis, gum disease | No Comments »
May 21st, 2010
The probiotics S. salivarius and B. coagulans are two strains of beneficial bacteria that help maintain healthy gums and teeth. These work very similarily to the probiotics that target your digestive flora. What these probiotics do is populate in the oral cavity and help protect the mouth against harmful bacteria that exist in dental film buildup.
Usually the probiotics can achieve their goal if you take supplements/lozenges 1-2 times per day after brushing. If you do it right after brushing your teeth, this speeds up the production of the compounds that help inhibit bad bacteria in your mouth.
Also, research shows that S. salivarius and B. coagulans can help the immune system flora. Taking supplements of S. salivarius orally helps reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines in the body. Studies show that B. coagulans increases the white blood cells’ ability to find bacteria invaders, boosts the immunity system’s response to a bacterial attack, and improves the performance of the natural killer cells, another type of immune cell.
Clinical studies showed that 85% of subjects with halitosis (bad breath) who received the strain S. salivarius greatly improved their bacterial flora balance as compared to 30% in the placebo group. Those with chronic bad breath definitely need to replenish the good probiotic bacteria in their system!
Source: Business Wire
Tags: B. coagulans, bad breath, beneficial bacteria, halitosis, inflammatory cytokines, oral probiotic, probiotic, probiotic lozenges, Probiotic Supplements, probiotics, probiotics bad breath, probiotics digestion, probiotics digestive system, probiotics for bad breath, S. salivarius
Posted in bad breath, halitosis, probiotic, probiotics | No Comments »
April 21st, 2010
According to studies, almost 50% of bosses said they wouldn’t hire someone if the candidate had poor teeth or bad breath. Many have admitted that they turned down people because of their appearance.
High importance is placed on appearance at a job interview. It is said that if a person is too lazy to look good and take care of their hygiene, they may be lazy when it comes to doing their actual job.
Some other things that made employers uninterested in hiring someone were tattoos, facial piercings, bad skin, and even excessive sweating. Also found in the study, 15% of people seeking employment considered having cosmetic surgery to increase their chances of getting a job, and 3% have already gone through with the surgery. The most popular types of cosmetic surgery were: cosmetic dentistry, breast implants, and facelifts.
Also, according to some cosmetic surgery specialists, 1/5 workers believe that their appearance has prevented them from going further in their careers.
Tags: bad breath, bosses bad breath, candidates, cosmetic surgery jobs, coworkers bad breath, dental health interview, get hired tips, increase chances of getting hired, interview fears, job candidates, job interviews, jobhunters, what bosses reject
Posted in bad breath, bad breath test, halitosis, health, hygiene, oral hygiene | No Comments »
April 14th, 2010
This product may taste like garlic, but allegedly, the ones consuming this food do not suffer from bad breath. ”Black garlic” is created by fermenting a garlic bulb in high temperature for about a month. On the outside, it looks like a normal garlic bulb with the same papery skin. On the inside, it appears to be black with a softer texture.
It is often used in fish dishes, and is popular because it is not as potent as conventional garlic.
The downfall is that it costs quite a bit more to buy these bulbs than it does to purchase regular bulbs in supermarkets. However, no one likes halitosis, and this may be an answer for those who like food with garlic but not the smelly consequences!
Source: Telegraph
Tags: bad breath, bad breath foods, black garlic, black garlic bad breath, black garlic halitosis, black-colored garlic, garlic no bad breath, halitosis, halitosis foods, no bad breath
Posted in bad breath, food, health, hygiene, oral hygiene | No Comments »
February 25th, 2010
A white tongue is something that nobody wants to have – not only does a white tongue look abnormal, but left untreated, it’s a strong indication of a breath problem. People who have a condition known as geographic tongue are definitely more likely to experience a white tongue. Geographic Tongue simply means a tongue that has lots of grooves and fissures in it – these grooves and fissures make an excellent breeding ground for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath and a white tongue. The way around this problem is simply making sure that your tongue is kept as clean as possible. But not all tongue cleaning is created equal….Tongue Cleaning (or Tongue Scraping) is a process that the majority of people in the United States don’t do on a daily basis. Yet it’s one of the most important steps you can take to keep your breath clean and fresh.It’s not difficult to do, and it’s not even that particularly time consuming. Yet that extra minute or two per day can reap huge rewards in preventing bad breath, and helping to prevent white tongue and return it to its normal color.A healthy tongue should be slightly moist, smooth, and slightly pinkish in color (see image below left).Under certain conditions, a geographic tongue can become coated, off-color (white, yellow, even black), and dry and cracked (see images below right).
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UNHEALTHY, DRY, COATED TONGUES: |
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Let me clarify a few things about tongue cleaning:
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- It’s not necessary to scrape hard
I’ve seen patients make their tongues bleed because they were pressing down so hard. In general, pressing harder does not remove more bacteria. You simply need to press hard enough so that the tongue cleaner contacts your tongue, flush across the cleaning surface. Try not to leave any gaps.
- Tongue Cleaning Alone Does Not Prevent Bas Breath
Tongue Cleaning does not kill the bacteria that cause bad breath that are breeding below the surface of a geographic tongue. It simply removes the gunk on the surface of your tongue (mucus and food debris) which are a food source for those anaerobic bacteria. In order to get rid of those anaerobic bacteria (which are responsible for white tongue), you must use an oxygenating toothpaste which can penetrate beneath your tongues surface.
- It’s not necessary to use one of those complex, expensive gizmos to successfully clean your tongue
Really, all your need is a fairly rigid instrument, that you can easily make flush with the largest amount possible of your tongues surface area. The electronic tongue cleaners you see can be helpful if you have arthritis, difficulty with coordination, or in general have a tough time performing the actions listed below.
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Recommended Tongue Cleaners:  |
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Step-By-Step Instructions to Successfully Clean A Geographic Tongue and Prevent White Tongue
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Tags: bad breath, bad breath cause, bad breath cure, bad breath tip, Clean Tongue, Dr. Harold Katz, dry mouth, halitosis, health, Therabreath, Tongue Scraper, white tongue
Posted in bad breath, bad breath cause, bad breath cure, bad breath tip, Clean Tongue, dry mouth, halitosis, health, hygiene, Tongue Scraper, white tongue | No Comments »
February 24th, 2010
Most of us know that the offensive odor coming out of someone’s mouth can be associated with poor oral hygiene, gingivitis, caries, tonsilitis, tonsillar plaques, various foods, tobacco, dehydration, and various diseases in the body. Homeopathy can be an effective cure for chronic bad breath because it treats the individual as a whore rather than targeting certain parts/organs. Sometimes for a permanent bad breath cure, it can work if the physical, emotional, mental and social spheres of a person are targeted. If these spheres are not in equilibrium, that’s when things tend to go awry.
When using homeopathy to treat halitosis, it is important to note the other symptoms that a person is having. Sometimes excess stress can attribute to bad breath. In order to figure out the best remedy, one should take these precautions beforehand:
- Correct oral hygiene in the morning/bedtime
- Clearing saliva and nasal secretions often as well as clearing the throat
- Regular dental checkups for filling pockets or erosions, and avoidance of gum/dental problems
- Keep hydrated to prevent dry mouth and wash away food particles
- Use tongue scraper
Also, you should avoid:
- Cigarettes, chewing tobacco, and other stimulants
- Dairy products
- Garlic, onions
- Chocolates and other sweets
Also, underlying health conditions should be ruled out by doing the following:
- Endoscopy (sinuses)
- CT scan (nasal obstruction, lung issues, etc)
- Blood tests (diabetes, infections, allergies, metabolic diseases)
- Urine tests (diabetes, ketone bodies, metabolic diseases)
Temporary treatments:
- Cleansers, pastes, mouthwash, mouth deodorants, tongue scrapers/wipers
- Chewing gum increases salivary gland production
- Cloves, camphor, cardamom, green pudhina leaves, guava leaves, betel leaves can mask the foul stench
Permanent treatment can only be successful if the root cause of the halitosis is diagnosed. These treatments should be given for issues like recurring colds, sinusitis, dental issues, gingivitis, stomatitis, indigestion, and so on.
Homeopathic remedies for bad breath most commonly are: Asafoetida, Baptisia, Baryta mur, Benzoic acid, Bromium, Calc carb, carbolic acid, Carbo animalis, Carbo veg, Crot – hor, Graphites, Hepa sulf, Kali sulp, Merc sol, Nat sulp, Nit acid, Opium, Plantago, Psorinum, Pulsatilla, Rhus tox, Sepia, Silicea, Staphysagria, Sulphur, Tarentula, Tellurium, Thuja, and Tuberculinum.
Tags: bad breath, halitosis, Homeopathic Bad Breath Cures, homeopathy, homeopathy bad breath, homeopathy halitosis
Posted in bad breath, bad breath cause, bad breath cure, halitosis, health, hygiene, wellness | No Comments »
February 16th, 2010
Bad breath (halitosis), especially if its chronic, can sometimes be a symptom of a much more major dilemma. It is very important that people do not overlook this problem, because it can be a sign of a terminal illness. Dental experts have linked halitosis to everything from pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic sinus infections to liver problems, kidney problems, and diabetes. People who have gastritis can have halitosis because of their stomach’s high acidic levels.
Unfortunately, most people do not regard bad breath as a serious problem, and just try to disguise it with peppermint or mouthwash. Halitosis has also been linked to chronic acid reflux and constipation. If one is practicing good oral hygiene, and avoiding foods that cause strong odors like petai, onions, etc., then it is possible that one has a problem that is more than just bad breath.
Many people will find that chewing gum only hides the bad breath and bad tastes temporarily. According to dental experts, 80% of bad breath sufferers have a mouth-related illness causing the problem; however, few people actually make regular visits to the dentist as needed. Tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis, dry mouth (xerostamia, caused by the lack of saliva), and oral cancer all cause halitosis. If a person has gum disease and does not treat it, it can lead to serious damage to the gums and jawbone. Some sources say that mouthwashes containing alcohol have been linked to oral cancer! TheraBreath is an example of a mouthwash that does NOT have alcohol as an ingredient.
Tags: alcohol-free mouthwash, bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, gingivitis, gum disease, mouthwash that does not have alcohol, pneumonia, Therabreath
Posted in bad breath, bad breath cause, bad breath cure, halitosis, health, hygiene | No Comments »
