Simple Ways to Prevent Halitosis

Incase you do not know what Halitosis is, it is a chronic disease of bad breath. The degrees of severity depend on each different case. Sometimes you are on the verge of getting it, or already have a semi-small case of it. If you keep good and practical dental hygiene you will most likely not suffer or develop Halitosis. Basically the disease will spread by the means of left over debris of food in your mouth.

As we all know that if we do not brush our teeth for quite a while, our breath will start to smell very badly, as well as leave a rather disgusting after taste in it. It usually happens when you do not brush your teeth as much as recommended on a regular basis.

There are different recommendations for a good dental hygiene, but the most typical one, as I am sure that we all know by now, is brushing your teeth 3 times a day after every meal that you consume. Not only is it good dental hygiene brushing your teeth, but is also flossing and possible even using mouthwash, this will get the left over debris that cause Halitosis.

If you are honestly too lazy to floss your teeth (let us hope that you are not), you may want to get a toothbrush that has floss bristles (brands such as Reach or some brand like that have many toothbrushes with those qualities). Just make sure that you brush your teeth, even if it is only twice a day.

By : Maria Gonzalez

Maria Gonzalez is webmaster of the Bad Breath Problems site. This site information and adivce on bad breath problems (& halitosis). For more information on Halitosis, visit our Halitosis problem page.

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Help! I Have Chronic Halitosis!

What is chronic halitosis? The most common cause of chronic halitosis (chronic bad breath) is an oral condition such as bacterial build up in the mouth, a cavity, or abscess. Another possible cause is bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue which can occur either because your body produces too much naturally, or from a high protein diet.

Another common cause of chronic halitosis is dry mouth. All the conditions mentioned above are breeding grounds for the bacteria that cause bad breath. But there are cures for chronic bad breath which we’ll get into later.

To start, since you may be immune to the smell of your breath, the easiest way to determine if you have chronic halitosis is to ask someone you trust, like a spouse, parent or sibling.

Causes of chronic halitosis

If your suspicions of halitosis are confirmed there are some easy and effective cures for chronic bad breath, but first you must know what is causing it. Some common causes include:

• Odorous foods, foods high in protein and even coffee can cause chronic halitosis.
• Cavities, decay, abscesses and gum disease can also create bad breath.
• Tobacco use
• Alcohol and alcohol-based mouth washes
• Allergies, sinus problems and the common cold
• Infrequent or incorrect brushing and flossing
• Body over producing bacteria is another cause of chronic halitosis.
• Certain medications or diseases
• Dry mouth

Cures for Chronic Bad Breath

So, what are some cures for chronic bad breath. The good news is there are many.

• If you are due, schedule an appointment with your dentist for a check-up and cleaning. Make him aware of the problem, so he can check your oral health.
• Brush and floss after every meal.
• Drink plenty of water to keep your mouth moist. A few times per day, while drinking water, squish it around your mouth and in between your teeth to break up any food hat may be hiding.
• Add baking soda to your toothpaste to help kill odors in your mouth.
• Stay away from alcohol-based mouth washes and sprays. Instead make a wash using a couple drops of tea tree oil and water.
• Trade in your breath mints for parley, cloves or thyme.
• Avoid diets high in fat or high in protein
• If you’re a dairy addict, cut back and see if this helps your chronic halitosis.

Brush that Bad Right Out of Your Breath
Sounds simple, but a very easy way to get rid of chronic halitosis is to brush and floss directly after every meal. Now, this does not mean that people who suffer from chronic halitosis don’t brush their teeth or have poor hygiene; it simply means you may have to do so more frequently. Flossing regularly will also help cure chronic bad breath as it will loosen and eliminate any food lodged between your teeth.

Can bad breath be treated?
Yes, but first you must identify the cause and then implement the proper solution. If you’ve tried the cures for chronic bad breath mentioned and you still suffer from chronic halitosis, make an appointment with your dentist. Your dentist will be able to pinpoint the cause of the chronic halitosis just by the odor it gives off. He’ll know whether it is dental, bacterial, a throat infection or other causes.

By : Whozylee Aris

Whozylee Aris has created a website on the topic of bad breath. Find the real causes and cures for bad breath by visiting http://www.bad-breath-resource.com. View this article online at http://bad-breath-resource.com/article-8-chronic-halitosis.html

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Halitosis: The Ongoing Search for a Treatment

If you find that you’re becoming increasingly aware of a problem with chronic bad breath, you may be suffering from halitosis. Such a condition can have serious impact on your social life, unless an effective treatment is found which can eliminate the problem.

Many people struggle with this potentially devastating malady for years before finding an effective treatment. Others never have such good fortune, and turn to home remedies or saturate themselves with an inundation of breath mints, mouthwash strips, chewing gum and various breath sprays. This can be both inconvenient and expensive, when you do the math.

While some folks can improve their breath through the process of brushing, flossing and using mouth rinses, there are those who find no relief through such efforts. This is a classic sign of halitosis ‘ otherwise known as bad breath.

Due to the build-up of certain bacteria within the cavern of the mouth, an unpleasant odor develops, which we simply refer to as bad breath. In the case of an individual who suffers from chronic bad breath “ or ongoing halitosis “ the oral environment is such that this bacteria multiplies quite rapidly and can be the catalyst for a malodorous event, and treatment must be sought. Of course, chronic bad breath can also be a symptom of other health problems, so you should certainly consult with your dentist and, if necessary, your primary care physician.

Since the effects of halitosis have far reaching effects, many people find that it interferes with their social life and has a negative impact in the workplace. Most people may not be so bold as to verbalize their displeasure, but not everyone is as sensitive to the issue and may, in fact, become cruel at times. A

s a result, those who suffer from this condition find themselves on the outside of the social window, looking in, rather than participating in events that they might, otherwise, enjoy. There are those individuals who have even experienced the horror of being called in to the boss’s office and "spoken to" about the problem, further humiliating them. Soon, they isolate themselves in an attempt to shield the condition as they continue to seek an effective treatment.

Dating under such circumstances can be the stuff from which nightmares are made. There’s very little that will shatter an individual’s confidence than the effects of halitosis. Those who muster up enough courage to remain in the dating arena are usually rejected when the problem becomes apparent, and others allow the condition to control their lives to the degree that they have no social life at all.

Though they spend a good deal of time fighting its effects, they’re often unsuccessful.If you’re among those who are afflicted with halitosis and haven’t been successful in your efforts to find a treatment, take comfort in the fact that there is now new hope.

By : Whozylee Aris

Whozylee Aris has created a website on the topic of bad breath. Find the real causes and cures for bad breath by visiting http://www.bad-breath-resource.com

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Halitosis and Medications - Bad Breath Killers or Creators?

To understand what the link between halitosis and medications is, we really need to have a clearer understanding of what the causes of bad breath really are?

Bad breath is caused by a bacteria that lives in the mouth in the throat or in the tongue. These bacteria are not harmful in themselves, and are meant to be there in the mouth. There role is to help break down proteins that have found their way into the oral cavity. If these proteins contain sulphur, then bad breath, or halitosis can result.

So, from this it can be taken that the cause of bad breath can be found in what we take on board rather than a condition or illness that we we have developed.

So, what has this to do with halitosis and medications?

There are a number of substances that are known to make bad breath worse. Two of these are sugar (for sugar read sugars and sweeteners) and alcohol. Alcohol (as most of us know) actually dries out the mouth. You will, I am sure, know that alcohol dehydrates you, and this has an effect on the mouth as well. And when the mouth is dry, bad breath gets worse. Saliva helps oxygenate your mouth, and lack of oxygen helps promote bad breath.

The sugars themselves help feed the bacteria, which act more effectively in breaking down the sulphur in the proteins in the mouth, so in fact, they make the mouth more efficient in producing bad breath.

So, if the medications that you take contain alcohol, sugar or sweeteners, then you could be making your halitosis worse rather than better!

If we look back at the first point we made, we know that bad breath originates in the proteins that we take on board. So, it stands to reason that if you cut down on sulphur bearing proteins, then you will have a positive effect on bad breath. Dairy products (milk and cheese for example) are one type of food that can cause bad breath. Excess coffee is another.

Regular cleaning and flossing can also go a long way to helping reduce bad breath as can taking adequate quantities of water as well.

Personal Health Advice is a web site devoted to personal helath problems, their causes and their cures. Find out more about halitosis here.

By : Charlie Cory

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Fighting Halitosis: How to Knock it Out

You may wonder, whom did you offend in a past life to be punished with bad breath? Sounds dramatic, but that is what bad breath (halitosis) is-dramatic. It wreaks havoc on your day and social life and makes you self conscious to the point of paranoia.

When you hear a laugh in the office, you worry that it is a group of people making fun of your bad breath. Suddenly, the world seems to revolve around your bad breath and fighting halitosis. The good news is that fighting halitosis is easier than you think, so stop stressing and read on (youll even learn about a bad breath home remedy or two!)

Why did you get bad breath?

Every day foods, beverages, medications, and ailments can cause bad breath, which is why so many people seek ways of fighting halitosis. One day you might have fresher breath than the sea air, but if youre hit by allergies, post nasal drip and a dry mouth well that fresh breath can quickly turn foul.

Halitosis is also caused by odorous foods like garlic, dairy, and other foods that might be caught between your teeth. Alcohol and alcohol-based mouthwashes dry out the mouth, creating a breeding group for bacteria responsible for nasty breath. Diabetes is another culprit for bad breath, as are certain medications.

If you have breath, and continue to eat these foods, it makes fighting halitosis a challenge. According to the American Dental Association, halitosis is an embarrassing condition that is uncomfortable for the person who has it.

Ways of Fighting Halitosis

Monitor your diet. Avoid excess dairy or acidic foods like onions.
Brush and floss your teeth directly after each meal.
If dining out, take a drink of water and swoosh it around your mouth to break up any food caught between your teeth.

Limit your alcohol consumption and cease tobacco use.

If allergies and dry mouth cause your halitosis, one bad breath home remedy is to gargle water and salt.

Drink plenty of water to ensure your mouth stays moist and doesnt dry out.

Another bad breath home remedy for fighting halitosis is to chew on herbs such as thyme, mint, or cloves instead of gum.

Do not overuse mouthwashes as this dries out the mouth. A bad breath home remedy would be to use lemon and water as a mouth rinse.

Dont forget to regularly see your dentist for cleanings.

There are many ways you can develop halitosis, and when you do it is your bodys way of saying, Hello, pay attention, here, youre not doing something right. And boy, does it get your attention! That something youre doing wrong can be improper diet, a lapse in oral hygiene, sickness, or a combination.

Fighting halitosis is a match that has to be fought round by round, but if you make some changes in the products you use, food you eat, and oral hygiene, youll knock halitosis out in no time!

By : Whozylee Aris

Whozylee Aris has created a website on the topic of bad breath. Find the real causes and cures for bad breath by visiting http://www.bad-breath-resource.com. View this article online at http://www.bad-breath-resource.com/article-10-fighting-halitosis.html

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Certain Medications Cause Halitosis. Does Yours?

Side affects: dry mouth (AKA halitosis)

Does you medication list halitosis (dry mouth) as a side affect. Countless over-the-counter medicines and prescriptions medications claim dry mouth as a possible side affect. Dry mouth is a leading cause of chronic bad breath (halitosis), which means your medications could cause halitosis. And you wouldnt even know it, unless someone brought it to your attention, since most people cannot smell their own breath.

Any medication or treatment that causes dry mouth or reduces salivation, allergy medications, antidepressants, blood pressure, and sinus medications all have the potential to cause halitosis.
Chronic bad breath (halitosis) is caused by a number of other factors which may have never affected you before, but add another factor such as certain medications and youre soon victim of halitosis.

The other factors that contribute to chronic bad breath, aside from dry mouth, include improper oral hygiene, absence of flossing, your bodys tendency to overproduce bacteria, a high fat or high protein diet, cavities, consuming too much alcohol or coffee, and overusing breath mints or mouthwashes. Do you do any of the above? (Be honest, we wont tell.) If you do, and you now take a medication that can lead to halitosis, it is time to get serious and look for remedies to combat chronic bad breath. According to the Massachusetts Dental Association, a mind blowing $10 billion dollars is spent each year to get rid of bad breath, most of it on items that only work temporarily like alcohol-based mouth wash and breath mints. Here are a few home remedies to help off-set halitosis that may be caused by medications.

If your medication gives you a dry mouth, drink plenty of water. If you drink at least 8 glasses of water per day and you still have a dry feeling, or chronic bad breath then add lemon or lime to your water. Also try gargling with water mixed with either one drop of Myrrh essential oil, or grapefruit seed extract. This will help eliminate any bacteria that are growing in your mouth and cause halitosis. Use this instead of mouth wash, since the alcohol in store bought washes will further dry out your mouth making chronic bad breath worse.

If you are taking medication for allergies, a cold or sinus problems, boil a pot of water on the stove and add vinegar. Turn off the heat and inhale the steam which will clear up you nasal passages, while the vinegar kills any bacteria that can lead to halitosis.

Eat a balanced diet. Consuming too much fat, protein or dairy can result in excess mucus and bacteria leading to halitosis. Stay away from dairy and breads a few hours before your bedtime as these create mucus that will form when you sleep creating a haven for halitosis.

Finally, if taking medications, keep a food diary listing what you ate each day and the state of your halitosis, if any. Also note if you had excess mucus or a dry mouth. In doing this you can keep track of how certain food affect you---and your breath.

By : Whozylee Aris

Whozylee Aris has created a website on the topic of bad breath. Find the real causes and cures for bad breath by visiting http://www.bad-breath-resource.com. View this article online at http://www.bad-breath-resource.com/article-11-halitosis-and-medication.html

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Causes of Halitosis

Most people think that bad breath is caused only by poor dental hygiene. However,chronic bad breath,a condition known as halitosis,can stem from various medical problems,dry mouth and even the Atkins diet.

If you have a consistent bad breath problem it is wise to visit your dentist in order to determine the cause of the problem.There are several possible reasons for bad breath such as dental decay, or gum disease.

The dentist can diagnose other problems which cause bad breath including yeast infections of the mouth,dental caries,poorly fitting dental appliances and periodontal disease. The medical condition dry mouth - also called xerostomia - can also cause bad breath.

Anything that dries the mouth makes bad breath worse, because saliva cleanses the mouth.When there is not enough saliva in your mouth to wash away food particles and bacteria, bad breath can result.

Alcohol, alcohol-containing mouthwashes,fasting and heavy exercise can all result in a dry mouth and worsen a bad breath problem. Drugs associated with producing dry mouth may also produce bad breath - antidepressants,blood pressure treatments,diuretics and antihistamines.

Bacteria on the back of the tongue are one of the commonest causes of bad breath.The bacteria produces a number of odors including volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) which are believed to be the major cause of halitosis.

Some people with bad breath have a white or grayish coating on their tongue.Tongue cleaning is by far the most effective way of combating bad breath. Many people have occasional bad breath, often on first awakening,or following an evening of alcoholic partying.

Certain foods like garlic and onions can produce bad breath but only on a temporary basis. A deficiency of vitamin B and zinc may be the cause of your bad breath.Smoking can also cause bad breath,reduce your ability to taste foods,stain teeth and irritate gum tissues.

Many medical problems can have bad breath as a side effect - such as kidney disease,cancer,lung problems,infections of the throat,tuberculosis, gastroesophageal reflux,uncontrolled diabetes,allergies and sinusitis.

Most toothpastes can be a cause of bad breath because the stuff that makes the foam actually promotes production of volatile sulfur compounds. Many of the mints and washes people use to combat halitosis dry out gum tissue and only cover bad breath.
However, mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are very effective at combating bad breath.

The Bad Breath Test It is possible to suffer from bad breath without being aware of it. Some people suggest a simple test which you can do yourself to detect bad breath.

The best way to find out if you have bad breath is to lick your wrist,wait ten seconds,and then smell your wrist.

There are individuals who suffer from halitophobia and believe that they have bad breath,but no physical or social evidence exists to suggest that halitosis is present.

What Can You Do? Avoid bad breath by drinking lots of water.Drink peppermint tea, spiked with a pinch of anise or cinnamon. One traditional bad breath cure which is backed up by modern research is yoghurt.

Japanese researchers found eating the yoghurt reduced levels of hydrogen sulfide - a major cause of bad breath. If you get a case of bad breath which persists despite good oral hygiene, consult your dentist and physician.

By : Viktor Radcliff

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