BAD BREATH - HALITOSIS

HOW TO CURE AND STOP BAD BREATH
What is Bad Breath?
Bad breath, which is also called halitosis, is an
embarrassing health condition that affects approximately
30% of people around the world. It is associated with a foul
oral odor. According to the Academy of General Dentistry,
in over 90% of bad breath cases, the odor originates in the
mouth, throat, and tonsils.
The bad breath odor is usually caused by a group of
anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that breed beneath the
surface of the tongue and often in the throat and tonsil
area. These bacteria occur naturally in your oral
environment and are supposed to be there because they
assist your digestion by breaking down proteins into amino
acids. Proteins are commonly found in food, mucus or
phlegm, blood and in diseased oral tissue.
As the bad breath bacteria feast on proteins in your mouth,
sulfur compounds are released from the back of your
tongue and throat. The bacteria excrete waste as hydrogen
sulfide, methyl mercaptan and other odorous and bad
tasting compounds known as volatile sulfur compounds. As
long as this process of anaerobic bacteria feeding on
proteins and excreting volatile sulfur compounds continues
unchecked, your breath will become worse and worse.
4 Common Bad Breath Causes
There are many causes of bad breath but there are 4
causes of bad breath that are very common.
1. Dry mouth - a dry mouth provides a perfect environment
for anaerobic bacteria reproduction. Longperiods of
speaking, smoking, drinking alcohol and snoring are a
few common reasons why people experience dry mouth.
Most people experience bad breath in the morning due
to lack of saliva production while they sleep. For healthy
individuals, food odors are temporary and normal
salivary flow will eliminate it within several minutes.
However, those who suffer from dry mouth and lack of
saliva find that even minor food odors may end up
becoming long term bad breath problems.
2. Foods - Bad breath can be made worse by certain foods
such as onions and garlic because they contain smelly
sulfur compounds. Dairy, meat and fish contain dense
proteins which are used as a food source by the
anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that cause bad
breath. Refined and processed sugars also provide a
food source for bacteria. Coffee and juices can
contribute to bad breath because they are acidic and
provide the bacteria with an ideal breeding environment.
3. Poor dental hygiene - Inadequate oral care leads to
bacterial buildup on the teeth and gums. This leads to
gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis, which can
cause halitosis because the proteins from bleeding
gums and diseased oral tissue provide fuel to odor-
causing bacteria.
4. Illness and disease - According to studies, in
approximately 10% of all cases, bad breath is caused by
certain illnesses. Individuals who suffer from diabetes,
lung disease, kidney disease, cancer, liver disease,
respiratory tract infections or metabolic disorders often
experience chronic bad breath due to dry mouth.
Sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, post nasal drip and
polyps affect the airways and may cause halitosis.
Other common illnesses than can cause bad breath
include nasal odor, putrefaction from the tonsils, tooth
decay, yeast infections of the mouth and gum disease.
Certain drugs such as antidepressants, high blood
pressure medications and antihistamines can cause bad
breath because they reduce saliva production.
Bad Breath Treatment
In most cases bad breath can
be successfully treated. Bad
breath treatment depends on
its cause.
Please keep in mind that you
cannot eliminate the bacteria
that cause bad breath from
the tongue. Consequently,
scraping or brushing the
tongue is a temporary solution
at best, and is typically
frustrating for those who believe tongue scraping or tongue
brushing is a permanent solution to bad breath. The
bacteria that cause bad breath are actually part of your
normal oral flora and need to be present in order to break
down proteins as a key step in proper digestion.
A much simpler and clinically-proven method to treat bad
breath is to interrupt the bacteria’s chemical production of
odors by the introduction of oxygenating compounds to
your oral environment. Oxygen is lethal to the bacteria that
cause bad breath because they are anaerobes and cannot
survive or function in the presence of oxygen.
In general, a dentist will recommend mouthwashes and
toothpastes that contain oxidizing agents such as chlorine
dioxide or sodium chlorite to neutralize volatile sulfur
compounds and help control odor causing bacteria found in
the mouth.
If you are experiencing dryness in the mouth, your dentist
will recommend a saliva substitute to moisten the mouth
throughout the day.
Some effective, natural ingredients to look for in oral care
products are zinc gluconate, aloe vera, green tea, tea tree
oil, xylitol, CoQ10, glycyrrhizic acid and oral probiotics like
K12 and M18.
6 Bad Breath Home Remedies
The practice of a few, simple, self-care techniques can help
to minimize bad breath. There are several things you can
at home to treat bad breath.
1. Advance oral care products - Use oral care products
such as mouthwashes and toothpastes that have been
shown to be effective in fighting bad breath.
2. Proper oral care - Brush and floss your teeth at least
twice a day. This helps to remove any food and plaque
which can be used as a fuel source by the anaerobic,
sulfur-producing bacteria that cause bad breath.
3. Stimulate your salivary flow - Prevent dry mouth with
chewing gum, lozenges, or mints that are sugar free.
Look for Xylitol as a sweetener. In recent years, Xylitol
has been shown to have anti-cavity properties and is a
non-sucrose sweetener.
4. Eat fibrous fruits and vegetables- One of the best ways
to remove bacteria in the mouth is to eat an apple a
day. It helps moisten the mouth, too.
5. Take a dietary supplement - Take Vitamin C, Vitamin D,
Vitamin E, and Vitamin B. These vitamins are effective
at helping your body eliminate excess mucus and toxins
naturally.
6. Brush your teeth occasionally with baking soda –
Thebacteria that cause bad breath thrive in an acidic
oral environment. Brushing your teeth with baking soda
helps neutralize excess acids found in the oral cavity.
12 Easy Ways to Prevent Bad Breath
Please remember, preventing bad breath is always easier
than treating it. By developing the right habits, you can be
effective at preventing bad breath.
1. Eat foods rich in fiber - High fiber foods actually help
prevent halitosis. Avoid eating heavily processed foods
that contain refined carbohydrates such as cookies,
cakes, sweets and ice cream.
2. Use mouthwash - Some mouthwashes or oral rinses are
effective at preventing bad breath. However, you should
never use alcohol based mouthwashes because the
alcohol makes the mouth very dry, which will actually
cause bad breath.
3. Drink green and black teas - They contain polyphenols
that help eliminate sulfur compounds and reduce oral
bacteria.
4. Avoid drying medication - Avoid taking antidepressants,
diuretics, pain relievers and antihistamines unless it is
absolutely, medically necessary. These drugs inhibit
saliva flow and cause halitosis.
5. Avoid products with sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol -
Do not use any oral hygiene products that contain
sodium lauryl sulfate or alcohol because the alcohol
makes the mouth very dry, which is a leading cause of
bad breath.
6. Clean your mouth after eating meat, fish or dairy
products - Practice consistent and thorough oral hygiene
to prevent bad breath.
7. Stop smoking - Studies have shown that smokers
present a higher risk of developing periodontal disease
and bad breath because smoking causes dry mouth
which can cause bad breath.
8. Breathe through your nose instead of your mouth - Try
to address any snoring or sleep apnea issues that could
be affecting your breath and causing dry mouth.
9. Drink water - Keep your mouth moist by drinking plenty
of water.
10. Clean your dentures at least once a day - Practice the
same, proper oral care that you would with your original
teeth.
11. Eliminate dairy products from your diet - Bad breath
can easily be caused by lactose intolerance.
12. Use an oral probiotic like S. salivarius K12 and M18 -
Use probiotics to balance the oral cavity and prevent an
overgrowth of the odor causing bacteria that can cause
bad breath.