Friday, March 20, 2009

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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Thursday, March 19, 2009

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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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

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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Tuesday, March 17, 2009

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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Monday, March 16, 2009

Dealing With Bad Breath Quiz: What Causes Your Bad Breath?

Dealing with bad breath is annoying, frustrating and embarrassing and if you’re reading this you are looking for some answers. The fact is that different foods and factors cause bad breath in different people, which is why we’ve created a quiz to help people pin point their bad breath triggers.



In the “Dealing with Bad Breath” quiz below, circle the correct answer for each question.

Dealing With Bad Breath Question 1:

How often do you eat the following foods?

Onions:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily
Garlic:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily
Cheese:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

High Protein Foods:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Unless you are on a diet, you probably don’t keep a tally of condiments, foods and beverages consumed during the day. That’s all fine and dandy, but certain foods you eat (or over consume) can have adverse affects such as chronic bad breath.

A chronic bad breath home remedy to help ease bad breath after a meal is to chew on the parsley that garnished your plate in a restaurant, or bring a small baggie of herbs like fennel or clove to chew after your meal.

Dealing With Bad Breath Question 2:

How often do you consume the following beverages?

Alcohol:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Orange Juice:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Milk:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Soda:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

That glass of wine each day may be good for your heart, but it could also be the reason you’re dealing with bad breath! Alcohol dries out the mouth making it prime real estate for the bacteria that cause bad breath. Acidic drinks like orange juice, and dairy drinks like milk can also cause bad breath. People dealing with bad breath should cut back on soda as it can rot your teeth and worsen bad breath.

Some chronic bad breath home remedies to help eliminate these problems include drinking plenty of water with lemon after consuming alcohol and rinsing your mouth with water and lime if you drink milk.
Dealing With Bad Breath Question 3:

Which of these oral products do you use?

Mouthwash:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Breath Mints:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Breath Spray:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

Gum:
  • at least once per week
  • several times per week
  • daily

The products you are using to deal with bad breath, might actually make the problem worse by drying out your mouth. Chronic bad breath home remedies you can use instead of alcohol and sugar based products include rinsing your mouth with salt water, or lemon or lime water and chewing on herbs such as parsley or thyme instead of gum.

According to the Mayo Clinic, people dealing with bad breath only receive temporary relief from mouthwashes, mints and that chronic bad breath home remedies like simply rinsing your mouth with water may be more effective.

Dealing With Bad Breath Question 5: Hydration

How many glasses of water do you drink per day?
  • 8+ glasses
  • 3+ glasses
  • none

Keeping your mouth hydrated keeps it from drying out. A dry mouth is a haven for the bacteria that cause bad breath. Chronic bad breath home remedies include adding apple cider vinegar, lemon or lime to your water. These ingredients will help cleanse your system while the water hydrates your system.

Dealing With Bad Breath Question 4: Dental Care

Mouthwash:
  • after every meal
  • twice per day
  • once

Floss:
  • after every meal
  • twice per day
  • once

Rinse:
  • after every meal
  • twice per day
  • once

Maybe your dental hygiene isn’t as good as you thought it was. Improper dental care can create a bacteria build up, rotting food between teeth and eventually gum disease, all of which make dealing with bad breath more difficult.

What Causes Your Bad Breath?

In the questionnaire above, answers to the questions further down below may be the reasons you are dealing with bad breath. Examine your answers and try to make changes accordingly. If after making the changes and trying the chronic bad breath home remedies you are still dealing with bad breath, you may want to visit your dentist or doctor to rule out certain conditions like gum disease.

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-9-dealing-with-bad-breath.html

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Bad Breath Out Of Nose : The Passage to Bad Breath

Did you ever think that your nose, not your mouth, could be the cause of your bad breath? It’s true! For adults and children, bad breath out of the nose is caused by sinus problems, nasal congestion, allergies, the common cold and other forms of congestion.



To make matters worse, over-the-counter antihistamines and cold medicine can dry out your mouth. Add the dry mouth (a haven for bad breath bacteria) with the mucus dripping from your nasal passages and you have double trouble: bad breath out of the nose and out of the mouth.

As word of note to parents whose children have bad breath out of the nose, make sure they have not lodged a pea or other small food item in their nose. This has been an odd ritual among children for ages.

When you’re sick you don’t care what your breath smells like, but once you’re better, and back to work, your bad breath will be in rare form, ready to offend anyone you wish to talk to (or breathe near remember the bad breath is coming out the nose too!)

To help you out, we’ve come up with some chronic bad breath home remedies that will not only make you feel better, but will get rid of conditions that create bad breath out the nose, and make sure it doesn’t develop in your throat or mouth either.

Chronic Bad Breath Home Remedy:
Drink at least eight glasses of water per day to keep your mouth moist. If you have allergies, or are on allergy medication, your mouth can easily dry out. Add lemon or lime to the water to help cleanse your system.

Chronic Bad Breath Home Remedy:
For a homemade vaporizer treatment, boil a pot of water and add enough vinegar so you can smell it. Turn off the heat and then lean over the pot just enough to inhale the steam. The steam and vinegar will cleanse your nasal passages and help get rid of bad breath out the nose.

Chronic Bad Breath Home Remedy:
Rinse your mouth with salt or lemon water. This will cleanse your mouth and eliminate bacteria.

Chronic Bad Breath Home Remedy:
Eat parsley which has natural cleansing properties. Also, add some apple cider vinegar to your drinking water as this will cleanse your digestive system.

If you have bad breath out the nose it is very important that you do not ignore the problem. It will not go away unless you do something to cure it.

Secondly, remember to drink plenty of water and stay away from coffee and tea as they have the opposite affect. And lastly, bad breath out the nose can be caused by a combination of situations such as dry mouth, nasal congestion and medicines.

If you feel a cold or allergies coming on, the best defense against bad breath is to have a clean, well brushed and flossed moist mouth and to eliminate any bacteria that may lurk there.

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-7-bad-breath-out-of-nose.html

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Sunday, March 15, 2009

Bad Breath in the Throat: Causes and Remedies

Bad breath in the throat is caused by a build up of bacteria at the back of the throat and no wonder since the back of your throat is like Grand Central Station for bacteria. Think about it, every time you eat or drink, each time you swallow and whenever you have post nasal drip, the back of your throat has to fight bad breath from taking over. You can’t taste it, or smell it, so people rarely even know they have bad breath!



It is like walking around with a big sign on your back that you can’t see, “I have bad breath.” It is embarrassing, and sadly, can affect your social life.

When bacteria finds the perfect conditions and are allowed to grow they will exude toxins which create the bad breath odor in your throat. Bad breath in the throat is also caused by sinus infections, cold and allergies which secret mucous that drips down the back of your throat creating perfect condition for the bacteria.

The solution for fighting bad breath is to make sure the bacteria never find conditions to prosper in. So, to fight bad breath in the throat you must

1) exercise proper brushing and flossing

2) regularly visit a dentist and

3) keep your throat clean and moist.


Another way to fight bad breath is to keep an eye on your diet and to clean your digestive system. Foods that are high in fat or a diet that is too high in protein can create bad breath in the throat.
Acidic foods like onions, garlic, and orange juice can all make the problem worse.
Yogurt can actually help fight bad breath because it contains the “good bacteria” that your system needs.

When things run amuck, cleanse your system as a means to fight bad breath by drinking at least eight glasses of water per day. Add apple cider vinegar to a few of the glasses. The vinegar will cleanse your system and give your digestive system some of the beneficial acid that it lacks which may be causing that bad breath in your throat.

Bad breath from the throat can also be from a nasal or respiratory source, such as smoking. To fight chronic bad breath quit, or dramatically cut back on smoking and tobacco use. If you regularly suffer from sinus problems, consider a nasal wash, but consult your doctor first.

According to WebMD, bad breath in the throat can also be caused by pharyngitis which is a common infection of the throat. If you have a sore throat and bad breath it is best to consult your doctor.

Bad breath in the throat can be triggered by a number of things from incorrect brushing, to a sinus infection, to an improper diet. The key to fighting bad breath is to pinpoint your triggers and eliminate the cause. This can be as simple as bumping up the number of times you brush your teeth per day, to drinking more water.

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-6-bad-breath-in-the-throat.html

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Saturday, March 14, 2009

Bad Breath in Children: How to Ease the Embarrassment

Bad breath in children does occur, but how do you handle it?

If an adult who unknowingly had chronic bad breath spoke to a group of friends, that group would probably not make it obvious.


If a child with chronic bad breath is talking to a group of friends, chances are the group will not have the maturity to deal with it and will probably look away or fan their hand, acting in a way that makes the child with bad breath embarrassed. When bad breath in children does occur it is important to treat it and prevent further occurrences.

Something Stinks: Chronic Bad Breath

Ever wonder why someone with chronic bad breath went around talking to everyone, even in close circles? That is because the person probably had no clue they suffered chronic bad breath, since people cannot smell their own halitosis. During school and in after school activities children participate regularly in interacting with other students which is why bad breath in children should be treated immediately.

If you are not sure if your breath smells bad or not, ask a good friend to let you know. Bad breath happens to everyone at some point and there is nothing to feel ashamed about. You will often find yourself around someone with chronic bad breath, and just remember to that person with the same dignity you would like to be treated with.

What Causes Bad Breath in Children?

Children, like adults, can develop halitosis a couple of ways.

1. First of all, certain foods and even drinks can create temporary bad breath in children. Some known offenders include onions and garlic, but items kids usually eat that cause bad breath include pop, certain juices and cheese.

2. Some children are not big fans of brushing or flossing, yet failing to do both regularly will create chronic bad breath.

3. Thirdly, a dry mouth or post nasal drip from a cold or allergies can create halitosis. Snoring or breathing through the mouth can also cause chronic bad breath in children as this contributes to a dry mouth.

4. Relax. It’s likely not serious. According to WebMD, halitosis is rarely a side affect of more serious health conditions in children. And according to a Journal of Pediatrics study performed in 1999, bad breath in children is caused either by dry mouth or the nasal cavity.

Combating a Child’s Bad Breath

First, look at what your child is eating. Do you serve up garlic or spicy dishes for dinner each night? Is your child a big fan of cheese? If so, try cutting back on the dairy and garlic. Make sure that regular brushing and flossing is occurring, even if you have to stand by and check. To make this more fun, take your child to the grocery store and allow him or her to pick out their toothbrush and toothpaste. If your child is older, it is important to note that alcohol and tobacco cause chronic bad breath.

Finally, make sure your child regularly sees a dentist to have his or her teeth cleaned. These appointments are also a good time to talk with the child’s dentist about halitosis.

The most important part of helping a child with bad breath is to be sensitive and not make the child feel embarrassed or self-conscious. Bad breath is a part of life and something everyone encounters. By zeroing in on the cause, and taking care of it, you can quickly eliminate and prevent bad breath in children.

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-5-bad-breath-in-children.html

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Bad Breath Home Remedies That Work!

Bad breath home remedies do exist! Everyone gets bad breath, but not everyone wants to use strong smelling chemicals or chemical pastes to fight bad breath. When I use a store bought mouth wash it stings during the process and afterwards I’m left with my mouth open, waiting for the pain to go away, all the while salivating all over the floor.



Not a pretty sight. While searching for alternative methods I quickly learned there are many bad breath home remedies which have been used for thousands of years. Store bought washes are convenient, yes, but bad breath home remedies are less expensive, natural, and do work. And they’re easy to use or make.

Who knew that some alternatives are as easy as opening your refrigerator, or examining your plate at a restaurant? The following list is just a few of the proven home remedies to fight bad breath I’ve discovered.

Top Seven Bad Breath Home Remedies

Bad breath home remedy #1: Herbs
Instead of toting around breath mints to fight bad breath after a meal, carry a tin or baggie of herbs such as mint (the real one), thyme, fennel, cinnamon, anise, or cloves. Chew any of these after meals to fight bad breath.

Bad Breath home remedy #2: Baking soda
You know baking soda as an ingredient in recipes, however it is also used in laundry and refrigerators to combat odor. Use it orally to fight bad breath. Simply add some to your toothbrush, add a little water, scrub and rinse.

Bad breath home remedy #3: Salt water
Rinse your mouth out with warm water and salt. This is also a remedy used to help get rid of a sore throat.

Bad breath home remedy #4: Lemon or lime water
Rinse your mouth out and gargle some lemon or lime juice mixed with warm water

Bad breath home remedy #5: Essential oils
Essential oils are plant extracts which means you’re getting a strong concentration of the plant’s benefits. Many essential oils have qualities that can fight bad breath. One home remedy is to add a few drops of tea tree oil to your toothpaste before brushing.
For mouth wash, add one drop of Myrrh oil to warm water.

Bad breath home remedy #6: parsley or mint When parsley or mint is used as a garnish, there is a reason for that. It is also meant to be eaten to help fight bad breath from odorous meals. This bad breath home remedy has been used for thousands of years.

Bad breath home remedy #7: Apple cider vinegar
For such an odd smelling liquid, vinegar has many uses and can help cure quite a few ailments. Add a little bit of apple cider vinegar to your water and drink it at least once per day.
Three Common Products that Don’t Fight Bad Breath

So, what doesn’t work to fight bad breath? In 2002 The American Academy of Periodontology surveyed members about the least effective bad breath home remedies used by their patients.

Below are the top three least effective methods.

Ineffective bad breath home remedies #1: Overusing mouthwash
This can actually make your bad breath worse by contributing to a dry mouth.

Ineffective bad breath home remedies #2: Breath mints
This method of fighting bad breath only masks the problem and can contribute to tooth decay which also creates bad breath.

Ineffective bad breath home remedies #3: Chewing gum
Chewing gum, like breath mints, is not good for fighting bad breath since it only hides the smell. A better alternative to gum is water as a method of avoiding dry mouth.
If you are looking for a way to fight bad breath that is inexpensive and inoffensive, give some of these bad breath home remedies a try. You have nothing to lose, but that bad 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-4-bad-breath-home-remedies.html

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Friday, March 13, 2009

A Cure For Bad Breath - Will You Seek Professional Help?

Who seeks a cure for bad breath?
About 30% of the population feels they never suffer from bad breath, except after eating a meal abundant in onions or garlic. Another 35% suffer from bad breath, but do not seek professional help when over-the-counter products fail. Only 35% of the population is so fed up with their bad breath problem that they seek professional help for a cure.



What? Professional help?

Aren’t the only bad breath cures available on the shelves of the local grocery store? Mistakenly, that is what many people believe. When the “fresh breath” toothpastes and “bacteria fighting” mouthwashes fail many people give up and accept their bad breath as a way of life. This can affect a person’s self-esteem and quality of life. The problem is that halitosis creates embarrassment for those who suffer from it, making it a condition people hide from, not openly discuss. Many people who suffer from bad breath bury their heads under the sand, throw in the towel, and suffer.

The first step is not to feel ashamed or embarrassed about bad breath or halitosis and in doing so, you are opening up yourself to communicating about your situation and finding a cure. And you don’t have to spend the money in seeking professional help to find that cure. As more and more people are demanding a cure that works, companies are performing research to develop the products that deliver the cure.

How to Cure Bad Breath?

Since bad breath is caused by excessive oral bacteria, to cure bad breath you must use products that bring the bacteria back to levels that don’t cause bad breath. One way to start the process is to cut off the food source from these bacteria, eliminating factors that lead to bacterial growth, and promote a healthy oral environment. A good start is to lay off the high-protein diets, eliminate dry mouth, cease smoking, stop drinking alcohol and reduce your usage of oral products and foods with alcohol in them.

But most people swear by their high-protein diets, refuse to stop smoking, and enjoy drinking in moderation. Also, if you are diabetic, suffer from sinus problems or take medications that cause dry mouth or bad breath, these suggestions may be a mute point. Which brings us to the question, without making any changes, how can a person cure bad breath. This cannot be done with mouthwashes or mints. These give your mouth a strong taste, which then leads you to believe if your mouth tastes “medicated” or minty, then your breath must smell good. More importantly, technology and medical research on the causes of bad breath have made breath mints and minty mouth washes archaic forms of bad breath cures.

The problem goes back to embarrassment. Despite the new information and product development, people are too embarrassed about their bad breath to seek out new solutions, which is probably why you are reading this article online!

While searching for new products developed using the new research that bacteria causes bad breath, we came across Dr. Katz, who has helped more people in the nation cure their bad breath. A reliable source, we thought, who uses the following products on his patients who want to cure bad breath.

1. AktivOxigen tablets were created based on research performed by leading bacterial experts. By dissolving the ActivOxigen tablets into water you are creating a safe wash that you swallow at night to destroy bad breath on contact and eliminate morning breath.

2. Millions of people suffer from sinus problems, a cause of bad breath. Nasal-Sinus drops in conjunction with the ActivOxigen tablets can cure the bad breath.

3. Did you know that Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS) has been proven to be linked to canker sores which also create bath breath? SLS is found in toothpaste and mouthwash as the ingredient that creates foaming. In our research we only came across one group of oral products that claims to fight bad breath and does not contain harmful SLS or Saccharin and that is TheraBreath.

There you have it, the cure for bad breath. You can make permanent changes in your diet and lifestyle for the better, and/or adopt the latest solutions in oral care that do not “cover up” but rather cure bad breath. Either way, remember there is no shame in your condition and do not be afraid to seek help.

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-3-cure-bad-breath.html

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Fight Bad Breath: Halitosis

Ever being kept at an arm's length by your friend? If yes, then there is high possibility that you are suffering from chronic Halitosis. Millions of us suffer from the same. Suffering from Halitosis is like giving nightmares to your girlfriend and the worst part is you don't even have a clue about it until a very close friend comes up to and tells you about it. Embarrassing? Yeah it can really make you feel like an alien in a group.



The root cause of Halitosis (Bad Breath)


Generally, bad breath originates from gums and tongue. It can also take birth from stomach but its very unlikely. The bacteria from the decay of food particles is mainly responsible for the abhorrent smell. Other reasons can be poor oral hygiene or the debris left in the mouth. This decay process produces a sulphur compound which produces the unpleasant odour.

How to keep a check on bad breath?

  • If in some dilemma or confusion about bad breath, ask a close friend of yours.
  • Keep rinsing your mouth after your meals. This a temporary solution and works at times.
  • Cut down spicy food. Spicy food also adds to the cause and increase the unpleasant odour.
  • Brush your teeth when you wake up in the morning and before you go to bed in night. Brushing should include tongue and cheeks too.
  • Drinking fluids is also a smart solution.
  • Don't eat tobacco products at any cost. Tobacco smoke produces substances like nicotine, tar etc which accumulates on a person's teeth which not only produces unpleasant odour but also a very ugly look. Drink less alcohol too.
  • Use good toothpaste which neutralize sulphur compounds and have anti-bacterial properties.
  • Do not skip your breakfast. Missing your breakfast may allow bacteria to re-appear.
  • Visit your dentist if the problem still remains. Get your mouth cleaned by getting rid of plaque and bacteria that grows on your teeth very frequently.
What are the factors causing bad breath?
  • Chewing of tobacco and excessive smoking. As explained above, tar and nicotine produces bad odour.
  • Food which you eat can also produce bad breath. Spicy and protein rich food in particular account for it.
  • Poor oral hygiene
  • Several health conditions like diabetes, sinusitis, kidney failure etc can also lead to bad breath.
  • Use of dentures, braces which are not cleaned properly.
  • Xerostomia can also bring bad breath along with it. Saliva in our mouth helps to cleanse bacteria. Xerostomia makes mouth dry as the amount of saliva reduces. This encourages bad breath.
  • Even hormonal changes can have a bad effect on your breath. So can dieting and age.
A self test for bad breath
Lick your wrist and wait for five seconds to allow the wrist to dry up. Now smell it. Is it foul? If no, then you don't suffer from bad breath.

About the Author

Jasdeep Singh

For http://weightloss-health.com/ your complete and most comprehensive family guide on Health.

Also get free tips and tricks on weight loss and a chance to go through other informative articles targeting various health issues at http://weightloss-health.com/Articles.htm

If you wish to reproduce the above article you are welcome to do so, provided the article is reproduced in its entirety, including this resource box and LIVE link to our website.

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Thursday, March 12, 2009

What Causes Bad Breath Anyway?

We have all suffered from an occasional case of bad breath. It's estimated that 50 to 65 percent of the population suffer from bad breath. A few unfortunate people suffer from chronic bad breath, seeming never to get rid of the foul odor that escapes every time they open their mouth.



But what is the main cause of bad breath?
Like all living organisms, we have a variety of other organisms that live in or on us in a constant balance of life. In case of bad breath, the main cause is the bacteria that normally occur within your mouth; or more specifically the waste products these bacteria produce from their normal biological life.

Life of Bacteria in Your Mouth

Your body is a host to billions of bacteria, and the majority of them are beneficial to you; there are bacteria in your stomach which aid food digestion, there are helpful bacteria on your skin which protect you against other harmful bacteria, and there are bacteria that just love the environment of your mouth. The last type is called anaerobic bacteria.

Anaerobic bacteria live best in conditions where there is no oxygen. There are plenty of places for anaerobic bacteria to live in your mouth; under the gum line, on the back of your tongue, between the teeth, and just about any place in your mouth that may be covered by a thin film. It is the waste products of the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.

Again, a person's mouth is home to hundreds of different species of bacteria. There is a constant battle going on in your mouth at all times. A battle for living space between that cause bad breath and those that don't. The precise balance between these types of bacteria, determines the freshness of your breath.

How Do They Cause Bad Breath?

Through normal living process, these bacteria produce waste products in your mouth. The most common of these are volatile sulfur compounds with very unpleasant odor. These compounds are referred to as "volatile" because they readily evaporate when exposed to air under normal temperatures. This volatility of these compounds can offend those around you very quickly.

While these volatile sulfur compounds are principal factor of bad breath cause, the anaerobic bacteria produce numerous other compounds that also have such offensive odors. They include:
  • Cadaverine - creates the smell associated with corpses
  • Putrescine - causes the odor of decaying meat
  • Skatole - has the characteristic smell of human feces
  • Isovaleric Acid - produces the smell of sweaty feet
What Do Anaerobic Bacteria Eat?
The waste products mentioned above are produced as anaerobic bacteria digest proteins. Therefore, anytime you eat a source of protein, the bacteria in your mouth get a meal too.
Even without an obvious source of protein, the anaerobic bacteria in your mouth can find a protein source anytime. There are many natural protein sources in your mouth, from dead skin cells to proteins found in saliva.

Conclusion

While you can't do anything about the fact that bacteria live in your mouth, it is important to realize that the disturbed balance between anaerobic bacteria and other types is a key factor in the cause of bad breath. You should do everything you can to make the conditions of your mouth as unattractive to anaerobic bacteria as possible.

By : Thuvarakan Tharmalingam

About The Author

Thuvarakan Tharmalingam had been a long-term sufferer of bad breath or halitosis. He has created http://www.bad-breath-guide.com to share his knowledge of bad breath--acquired through a lot of research. The above article is written to inform people. It should not be treated as professional medical/dental advice.

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Bad Breath: Think You Don't Have Bad Breath? Guess Again!

Bad breath can rule your life and what others think about you. We’ve all spoken to someone with bad breath. Chances are you looked away, smiled politely and tried to get away as quickly as possible from the offensive odor.



More than likely you were embarrassed for that person, who seemed to be clueless about their bad breath. Even the most stunning, funny, charming person in the world can develop bad breath (halitosis) and make people within range cringe and look away.

You could be delivering a speech on how to cure some of the most wide-spread and growing diseases, but if your breath smells, people will focus on that offense and not the achievement you’re speaking of. This is a sad, but true, reality of bad breath.

Don’t Have Bad Breath? How Sure Are You?

Do you have bad breath?
If you answered no, how do you know this? Did you cup your hands, blow into them and take a big whiff? Blowing in your hands will keep them warm, but it is a myth that it predicts bad or clean breath. So many factors can lead to bad breath that just because you didn’t have bad breath last week doesn’t mean you haven’t developed it this week. For example, perhaps you have a cold this week. Did you know that post nasal drip and excess mucous, as well as allergy/sinus medications, can all lead to bad breath?

Breath Mints Aren’t That Mighty
Most people are accustomed to adding “fresheners” to anything foul smelling. If a room smells bad, we spray air freshener. To keep bathrooms smelling good all day, we use plug in fresheners. To keep old clothes smelling nice, we use fabric softeners with strong fragrances. Sometimes the freshener can be more offensive than the foul smell, or the combination of the two makes the matter even worse. This is true with breath fresheners. People think that a “mint” will dissolve their bad breath, which is completely false. Just because you have a strong “medicated” taste in your mouth doesn’t mean your bad breath is gone. You can’t “taste” good or bad breath. Makes sense, right?

Bad Breath Can Strike Anyone at Anytime
If you don’t suffer from this today, it can plague you tomorrow. A great way to tell if you have bad breath is to wipe a piece of gauze on your tongue and smell it. You may even find a yellowish color on the gauze. Did you know you can’t smell your own bad breath? The fact is, you can’t smell your own bad breath, but others can.

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-1-bad-breath.html

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Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Children And Halitosis, Bad Breath

Children can have bad breath just as easily as their parents. When the Webmaster of badbreathgone.com asked me to write an article on halitosis (bad breath) and children, my first thought was, "Great, a no brainer!" As an RN and mother who also works in close contact with children in a daycare, I've got plenty of good insight into halitosis in our little ones. When you smell the breath of a healthy child it smells fresh and clean.



If it doesn't, then use this checklist of the most probable causes of the halitosis/bad breath:

1. Dehydration.(which is more common than most people suspect)
2. Overeating and consequent poor digestion.
3. Eating food that promotes yeast/ candida.
4. Incipient or undiagnosed illness/ infection, low immune system.
5. Too much sugar.
6. Dental problems.
7. Not well-rested, too much activity.

As a parent and RN I often try to smell a child's breath. I can tell you that the children who come to the ER with bronchitis or asthma all have halitosis/ bad breath.
Why? Because they have an infection and/or food allergy, and 9 times out of 10 are dehydrated. So what can parents and caregivers do to give our children sweet smelling breath?

1. Be sure your child drinks enough water - and I mean water - not juices or soda. Juices, and soda particularly, dehydrate your child and load up the system with sugar. And sugar provides an ideal breeding ground for bacteria, viruses and parasite fungus/ yeast and candida.

2. Monitor your child's eating. Too much food, or food eaten too often, will not digest properly, and will ferment and create toxicity that smells bad.

3. Sugar - again. White sugar increases halitosis, and also nourishes infections and yeast infections/ candida. Cut it down, or better, cut it out if you want fresh breath (and many other benefits besides).

4. Halitosis is a sign that the body needs something. It could be as simple as more water, or perhaps the entire immune system needs a boost. See my article on flu to help boost your child's immune system.

5. Be sure to have regular dental check-ups. I could say much more about this, but let's keep it simple. Just follow through and make those appointments.

6. Watch how your child is doing...? Too much activity? Not enough quality rest? Some kind of emotional distress? Imbalances both physical and emotional can "sour" the stomach, turning good food into bad. I've found that bad breath can provide great motivation for parents to get closely tuned to their children and really work for their well-being.
Some simple remedies to freshen the mouth are a drop of Oil of Oregano under the tongue or on the toothbrush, and chewing on a clove. While drugstores have whole shelves full of products to sweeten halitosis/ bad breath, many products contain ingredients that I would not myself take.

Be careful - if you routinely ingest a small amount of "helpful" toxins, that can really add up as the days run to weeks, months and years.
Pieternel has been an R.N for over 25 years. She develops natural products for preventive health and is an expert on natural health issues.

By : Pieternel Van Giersbergen

This article was written for www.badbreathgone.com c 2005 Pieternel van Giersbergen. www.pieternel.com

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Bad Breath, Halitosis And Home Remedies

For over 25 years I have smelled many, many kinds of breath/ halitosis, and found that breath is a wonderful diagnostic tool.


I once worked with a wonderful doctor in the emergency room, who asked me what I smelled in the breath of a particular patient.


We both felt we smelled a candida/yeast infection, and sure enough, that's just what it turned out to be!

After I asked a few more questions he finally let on he that he'd had an argument with his employer.

As he was telling his story he drank the big glass of water I had given him.

dehydration and emotional issues can both affect our breath.

You don't have to be in the Sahara desert to get dehydrated.

Everyone needs to drink abundant water each day.

Small babies do not have bad breath/ halitosis when they are healthy.

Bad breath (halitosis) is a sign that something is wrong and needs attention.

Healthy toddlers don't have bad breath either, so when babies, toddlers or growing children develop bad breath, the following factors usually play a role: dehydration, stress, wrong foods, bad digestion and poor dental health.

Indeed, these are the same top causes of bad breath in adults, followed by digestive problems and infections, for which one should seek medical help.

A great remedy for infections of all kinds, whether viral/ bacterial/ parasite and candida, or yeast, is Oil of Oregano.

Oil of Oregano is an all-natural remedy that is as strong as pharmaceutical antibiotics, but with no side effects.

I could go on and on about the distinct varieties of bad breath smells among those who drink alcohol, who smoke, who have diabetes, internal bleeding, liver diseases, or cancer.


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Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Cure For Bad Breath

Bad odor from the mouth in the early morning is seen in almost all individuals. This can be controlled by maintaining oral hygiene. Even after cleaning the mouth some individuals may suffer from bad breath due to some problem in the mouth or in the nearby areas. Some general disease condition can also produce bad breath.


Exact cause has to be identified and should be treated accordingly. Some common measures to cure or reduce bad breath are discussed here.

1) Oral hygiene:
Mouth should be kept clean every time to reduce the bacterial action.After food gargling with lukewarm water is very essential.Even after small food articles like snacks,sweets,buscuits cleaning with water is needed.Brushing should be done twice daily.It is said that early morning brushing is for beauty and bed time brushing is for good health.

2) Brushing techniques:
Normal brushing technique should be followed for better result. Many people brush vigorously causing damage to the gums. Brushing after every food and drink can damage the enamel Bristles of the tooth brush should be smooth but hard enough to remove the food particles from the gaps. The direction of brushing is the most important thing. The upper teeth should be brushed in a downward direction and the lower in upward direction. This is applicable to both inner and outer surfaces. Next comes the crown of the teeth; here brushing is done in anterior and posterior direction keeping the brush in same direction. This applicable to both upper and lower set of teeth.

3) Tongue cleaning:
White or yellowish coating on the tongue can cause bad breath. This is more well marked in the morning and should be removed twice daily with the healp of a tongue cleaner. Tongue cleaner must be used gently without damaging the taste buds on the tongue.

4) Tooth pick:
Tooth pick is a small strip of wood or plastic with a pointed end. This is used to remove food particles lodged between the gaps. Very useful after eating meat and fish. Should be used gently to avoid damage to gums.

5) Gargling:
After every meal gargling with lukewarm water is useful. For better result little common salt is dissolved in the lukewarm water. Different types of mouth wash is available in the market in different trade names. Gargling with mouth wash can also reduce bad breath.

6) Food habits:
Protein containing food articles are known to produce bad breath. Example; meat, milk, fish, egg etc. If these food articles are taken proper cleaning is essential. Some food articles are known to produce particular smell which may be unpleasent for others. Raw onion is the best example. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away and a raw onion a day keep every body away. Small food articles taken in between can also cause bad smell(nuts,fried items etc). Maintaining regularity in food timing is the most important thing.

7) Water intake:
Dryness in the mouth can make a favourable condition for the bacterial activity resulting in bad odor.saliva is needed to keep the mouth moist and to reduce the bacterial proliferation.Production of saliva is closely related with water balance of the body and hence sufficient quantity of water should be taken to maintain the production of saliva.

8) Mouth freshners:
Natural and artificial mouth freshners can reduce the intensity of bad breath to some extent.Spicy articles are commonly used for this purpose.Chewing spices like clove,cumin seed,cardomom,cinnamon,ginger ect are useful. All citrus fruits can reduce bad odor.Mouth freshners and chewing gums are available in the market.these products are also helpful ,but some may cause damage hence should be used with caution.

If the above things doesn't work then what to do ? Consider the following:-

1) Remove the cause:
Bad breath is common in some general and systemic diseases like diabetes,fevers,gastric disorders,liver diseases and ect.By removing or reducing the primary cause the bad breath will go automatically.

2) Modern medicine:
If bad breath is due to any infection suitable antibiotics,anti fungal or anti viral medicines will help.If it is due to any autoimmune or chronic inflamatory conditions steroids may also be used.Saliva producing tablets can also be used.

3) Dental cleaning:
Dental cleaning done by a dentist can remove the dental plaques and tartar. This can reduce the severity of bad breath.Visit your dentist atleast once in a year.

4) Filling of caries:
Since caries are one of the main cause for bad breath it should be filled by a dentist.Earlier silver amalgam was used ,nowadays it is replaced by synthetic materials.If the pulp cavity is affected by the caries root canal treatment can be done.

5) Tooth extraction:
If caries are deep with destruction of teeth with bad smell extraction is the better choice and a dental implant can be kept in the gap.

6) Tonsillectomy:
Patients with recurrent tonsillitis can have bad breath due to offenssive discharges and release of pasty materials from the crypts of tonsils.Such patients get great relief after tonsillectomy(removal of tonsils).

7) Psychological counselling:
Those who suffer from bad breath may be very much depressed and they be away from the public. This isolation hampers their daytoday activities.Such people should understand the fact that all humanbeings are having bad breath, but with slight differences in intensities. Mostly all people control it by taking personal care.

Every human body has got it's own smell, that may or may not be tolerable for others. They should be adviced to do all hygienic meashures to reduce the intensity of smell.Improving the quality of life by all possible means can also help.

Moral support from friends and family members are needed for such people. Some individuals visit the doctor for bad breath without any real problem.It is included under somatisation disorder.They usually complain about pain, breathlessness,abdominal discomfort,bad smell ect.proper diagnosis is needed to rule out any real causes.These patients should be managed with a psychological approach.

8) Homoeopathy:
In Homoeopathy medicines are selected on the basis of physical, mental, emotional, and social aspects of the diseased person. Considering the whole aspects a constitutional homoeopathic medicine is selected and given in suitable potency and dose. By this all health related problems including bad breath will be solved.

On the basis of coating on the tongue, type of smell,cause for bad breath,and other associated complaints a medicine can be given to get relief from bad breath. In the homoeopathic medical repertory by Dr Robin Murphy there are 140 homoeopathic drugs mentioned for bad breath.

On the basis of signs and symptoms of the individual a suitable medicine is given.

Commonly used drugs are arnica, antim crud, pulsatilla, sulphur, psorinum, nux vomica, ars alb, merc sol, kreosot, hekla lava, silicea, asafoitida, graphites, kali bich, acid nitric etc. Homoeopathic mother tinctures like cinnamon ,kreosot ,zingiber ,rhus glabra ,menthol and ect can be used for gargling after diluting in water.

[POINTS MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE IS FOR GENERAL AWARENESS. ANYBODY SUFFERING FROM BAD BREATH SHOULD CONSULT A DOCTOR.]

By: Peter Bishop

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Want To Get Rid Of Bad Breath? Quit Smoking!

One of the effects that smoking has on you is that it causes bad breath as well as other dental problems.


While there may be some temporary fixes to banish bad breath, the easiest way to get rid of the bad oral hygiene is to quit smoking.


The main reason for bad breath when smoking is found to be caused by the chemicals found in cigarettes.

Tar and nicotine easily begin to build up on the mouth surfaces.

One of the major results of the chemicals in the cigarettes is that it allows bacteria to form in your mouth.

The first way in which bacteria is able to stay in your mouth is from these chemicals.

Another reason why smoking causes bad breath, is because it dries out your mouth.

In consequence, this stops the saliva from continuously flowing and cleansing out your mouth.

This is what causes the growth of certain types of bacteria in your mouth, which then lead to a continuous odor on your breath.

Because the saliva is not able to move as freely, it can't clean out the bacteria that move through your mouth.

These same parts of smoking also cause cavities and yellowing of teeth to form easier.

This causes oral tissue cells to be damaged and killed.

These will then not be able to protect the mouth efficiently, causing the bacteria to be able to move into the mouth easier.

More serious problems with smoking and dental hygiene may include gum disease and oral cancer.

The tobacco that moves into your system causes your immune system to limit how it can fight infection.

One of the ways that most smokers will get rid of bad breath is by using a certain type of smoke screen gum.

This will neutralize the odor causing bacteria on your tongue after you smoke a cigarette.

The bacteria is still able to move inside your mouth, and the chemicals that stick to your teeth, gums, tongue and cheeks still remain in place.

Most quick remedies that are there for smokers are used for shorter term fixes and are unable to eliminate the complex problems that form in your oral hygiene from smoking.

This will naturally begin to get rid of the extra bacteria that were able to grow in your mouth.

The next thing that will happen is the blood vessels and the tissue cells will begin to repair.

Eventually, the chemicals, tar and nicotine that were beginning to stay in your mouth will also be washed away.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Homoeopathy For Bad Breath

The protein in the food debris are degraded by the anaerobic bacteria present in the mouth.

Offensive odor is produced due to release of some gases like hydrogen sulphide, skatol ect due to bacterial activity.


Formation of a thin sticky membrane on the tongue favoures bacterial growth.
Bactrera are also seen in the crypts of tonsils , dental caries, dental pockets ect.

Bad breath is associated with oral hygiene, caries, gingivitis, tonsillitis, tonsillar plaques, food habits, water intake, tobacco chewing, stomach and liver diseases and ect.

Homoeopathy is a system of medicine introduced by a german physician Dr Samuel Hahnemann.
Homoeopathy treats the diseased individual as a whole rather than treating diseased parts or organs.

The physical,mental,emotional,social spheres of a person is considered for a permanent cure.

This system believes that the diseases are caused due to the derangement of vital force which is an invisible power in every individual.

In a healthy state the vital force maintains the equilibrium of mind body and soul.
During this man will have normal sensations and functions.

When the vital force gets affected there will be external manifestations in the form of signs and symptoms.

The imbalance in the body functions makes a shelter for forign organisms(bacteria,viruses,fungi,protozoa ect) and allow them to proliferate &produce so called diseases.

Homoeopathy believes that the real disease comes before the bacteria & viruses, hence the root cause of the disease has to be treated for a permenent cure.

The antibacterial and antiviral agents only remove the secondary causes mentioned above.

Diseases are produced by noxious morbific agents called Miasms which are dynamic influences which affect the vital force.
There are mainly three miasms PSORA ,SYPHILIS&SYCOSIS.

These three causes are accepted by other schools of medicine but called by different names.
Psora causes functional disturbances, syphilis cause structural changes in the form of destructions and sycosis causes changes in the form of overgrowth.

These three miasms can act individually or in combined form producing different disease conditions.
To treat bad breath with homoeopathic medicine is easy if correct remedy in suitable dose is given. In the homoeopathic medical repertory by Dr Robin Murphy there are 140 homoeopathic drugs mentioned for bad breath.

So just giving one drug for bad breath may not give good result.
To come to a correct remedial diagnosis we should have the symptomatology of the person.

It is the total symptoms of a person which includes mental generals,physical generals,particular symptoms ect.
Bad breath is considered as a physical general symptom.

Even though it comes only from a part of the body it affects the whole individual.
Symptoms related with appetite,thirst,bowels ect are included in physical generals.

All signs and symptoms (mental&physical)of the person is taken in detail.
Knowledge about past illneses,family history of diseases,food & bowel habits,relation to climatic changes and constitution ect are noted down in a systematic order.

Mental symptoms: example: fear,anxiety,depression,anger,jealousy and ect....

Physical symptoms: example: Body makeup,appetite,thirst,desires,aversions,bowels,urination,sleep,t aste, nature of smell,discharges any
abnormal sensations like pain, burning ,climatic changes,thermal relations, and ect....

Peculiar uncommon symptoms: This is the speciality of homoeopathic system of medicine.
For the selection of a suitable remedy these symptoms are very important. Common symptoms which are seen almost in all patients are least important. particular/local signs&symptoms: This include signs &symptoms related to body parts &organs. example: Coating on the tongue,nature of mucus membrane of oral cavity, tonsils, gums, teeth, ulcers, discolourations ect are considered here.
Systemic & general physical examination:

- Bad breath can be due to various systemic and disorders.Hence all systems ( respiratory system ,digestive system,nervous system, cardio vascular system and ect )and parts from head to foot should be examined. provisional disease diagnosis; Here probable diseases are diagnosed. In homoeopathy disease diagnosis is not that much important for the selection of a remedy,but needed for general management and to know the prognosis.

Investigations:
This includes lab investigations and other methods to find out any other major illnesses.

Final disease diagnosis: After doing all investigations the disease is diagnosed.
Remedial diagnosis: This is the most importnant part as far as homoeopathy is concerned.

For this the selected symptoms are arranged in a systematic order on the basis of importance. symptoms are analysed to find out the importance of each symptom for the selection of a remedy.Remedies are selected on the basis of similarity.

[the basic principle of homoeopathy is 'similia similibus curenter' means like cures like.A medicine which can produce some symptoms in a healthy man can be used as a remedy to trea the similar symptoms in a diseased person.Each homoeopathic drug is proved on healthy human beings and the symptoms collected by this process(drug proving) is written in meteria medica.]

Suitable remedies are diagnosed by a process called repertorisation.
Here books called repertories are used.

Repertory is the index of symptoms of materia medica (books which contain the symptoms of drugs).Nowadays computer softwares are used for repertorisalion.

By this process we will get the remedies covering maximum important symptom of the patient.

Amoung this group of remedies the most suitable remedy is selected by referring various books and history of the patient..
The selected medicine is given in suitable potency & dose.

ANTI MIASMATIC TREATMENT:
The root cause of disease is miasms which should be eradicated using suitable anti miasmatic drugs.Every drug can eradicate the miasm if there is symptom similarity.there are anti psoric drugs,anti syphilitic drugs and anti sycotic drugs.After diagnosing the miasm suitable anti miasmatic drug has to be given to complete the cure. [In homoeopathy medicines are prepared from different sources like minerals, plants, animals, toxins, diseased parts ect.

Medicines are prepared from these substances by a special process called potentisation.

Here the soluble substances are potentised by diluting with spirit and insoluble substances by grinding with sugar of milk.The crude drug substance is first mixed with a calculated quantity of spirit and water and kept for few days .From this mixture extract is taken and is called mother tincture(denoted as Q).

From this mother tincture dilutions are prepared by potentisation.
Potentisation is a mathematical process by which the quantity of original drug substance reduces but medicinal power increases.

Depending upon the ratio of quantity of drug substance and vehicle (spirit or sugar of milk) there are different scales for this process. Each scale has got different potencies which indicate power of medicine. Example in decimal scale 3x,6x.12x ect.in centisimal scale there is 30c,200c ect, in LM poteny there are 0/1,0/2,0/3 ect. potency is written after the name of every medicine] Same medicine is available in different potencies.

Suitable potency is selected according to so many facters like sevearity, depth of disease, condition of the patient , nature of disease , type of symptoms, age of patient and ect.

by Peter Bishop


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Home Care to Reduce Bad Breath

The demand for remedy of halitosis is increasing manifold as the awareness of halitosis among masses is growing day by day. The options for treating halitosis are also growing surprisingly with the increase in its awareness.



Market is flooded with a number of products with various claims of eliminating the bad breath problem.

Bad breath can be quite embarrassing at any given point of time. Bad breath is caused by the presence of oral bacteria. However, there are other causes of bad breath too, like onions, garlic, smoking, dryness of the mouth, and gum disease.

More people suffer from xerostomia, which is, basically, dryness in the mouth. It occurs during sleep or if you have been speaking for a longer time. The saliva is a special kind of mouth moisture that kills oral bacteria.

You can use commercially available breath fresheners or mouth washes for temporary relief from bad breath. However, most of them are temporary and act by masking the smell producing layers of tongue, once the effect wears off, the bad breath will resurface with renewed vigor.

Using anti-bacterial mouth rinses may provide you better results in controlling bad breath. Always avoid alcohol containing mouth rinses as alcohol is a drying agent and will worsen the problem sooner or later.

Evidence suggests the most effective products are generally unavailable in drugstores and usually found on the internet pharmacies. Top of the brand home breath tests and antibacterial rinses, toothpastes, gums, mints, and tongue gels are always costlier like any premium product; but unlike the well-known inexpensive brand names, they can really control your problem to a marked degree.

However, you need to be extra cautious in finding remedies on internet as there are chances of you getting ripped off for a higher price or you may not simply find the right medication. In such cases, you will have to do trial and error exercises to find the best pharmacy. Never forget to brush your teeth after meals and a regular flossing at least once in a day will remove putrefying food debris from between the teeth, especially at the gum line and posterior of the tongue.

Gently cleaning the tongue surface twice daily with a tongue brush, tongue scraper or tongue cleaner will help you keep your tongue and teeth in good shape and health. It is always prudent to go for the permanent solution of the problem rather selecting a short-term measure. It is already discussed that some temporary solution offering products may aggravate the problem instead curing them.

Thus always say a no to the temporary solution and go for a remedy, which eliminates the problem from its root forever. Visit our site for more tips on fighting halitosis from under standing halitosis causes to finding bad breath remedy

by : Al Falaq Arsendatama

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