Posted by drgracesun on July 5, 2009 under General Dental Knowledge, Healthy Smile, Hygiene, Information | 
It’s no shocking headline – bad breath is the #1 complaint (and reason of visit) in dental offices across America! 85% of people who suffer from bad breath actually have a medical condition known as halitosis, which is usually caused as a result of bacteria in the mouth. The recent 4th of July holiday is a joyous occasion for BBQers across the country, but it could be a nightmare if you suffer from halitosis! If you think you have chronic bad breath, and nothing seems to be helping, read on for a bit of assistance.
Ancient Japanese scroll painting of a woman with Halitosis, 12th century.
Apart from being severely embarrassing, bad breath can actually impact your personal and professional relationships. No employer wants a smelly employee (especially one that interacts with customers on a regular basis, like salespeople), and no partner or date wants a stinky kisser. Bad breath can even instill psychosis into patients with halitophobia, or a fear of bad breath. We know halitosis can seriously impact lives, and not in a positive way – so what can we do about it?
Certain foods with strong aromas – like onions, garlic, sea foods and refined carbohydrates (pastas, dairy products and cheese) – can cause bad breath, but bad habits like drinking and smoking can as well. Dental conditions like dental caries 
, periodontal disease and dry mouth can create halitosis. Physical conditions like indigestion, GERD (GastroEsopageal Reflux Disease), Asthma and Diabetes can also lead to haliatosis. Treatment for halitosis on the physical end is getting to the root of the problem: eliminating the food debris and bacterial factors in the oral cavity (managing the physical illness). Regarding diet and habits, my professional recommendation would be (of course) to stop smoking and drinking! Control the intake of foods / herbs that can cause smelly breath. Consume greens like celery and parsley, drink plenty water and (at the very least) brush and floss your teeth after every meal. If you eat a lot of garlic or fish, even after brushing and flossing a bad smell can linger in the mouth for a long period of time. Over-the-counter mouth washes and breath fresheners can only temporarily mask over halitosis – they will often times not rid the mouth of foul odors.
Bad breath is a social embarrassment, and is also a sign of having poor hygiene or health problems. We must all be aware of the condition our body is in. Maintaining the self is infinitely beneficial, and health professionals are always ready to provide advice to assist you in reaching our goal: healthy and happy living.
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Posted by drgracesun on March 1, 2009 under Healthy Smile, Information |
Halitosis, or bad breath can affect a person’s self-confidence, self-esteem and can be downright embarrassing.
Because most people are accustomed to their own smell, it could be difficult to tell if you have bad breath without someone else’s help. Volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are usually the cause of bad breath, which are created when you eat and chew food, when proteins are broken down into amino acids, an important step in digestion. When these compounds are not removed from the oral cavity through proper oral hygiene (brushing and flossing after every meal), bad breath results. Most offending particulates that cause bad breath live on the back of your tongue. Your dentist can use a tool called a halimeter to measure the sulfur levels in your mouth. Bad habits such as drinking or smoking can also cause bad breath, and the offending odor usually lingers long after the cigarette or drink has been consumed. Dry mouth loosening the self-cleansing saliva can also contribute to an odorous mouth.
Most factors contributing to halitosis are self-curable, with proper diet, good oral hygiene and habitually drinking plenty of water. There are, however, a few cases in which bad breath is not self-treatable. Gum disease, cavities or problematic dental restorations trapping bacteria in the crevices around your teeth and gums can cause severe halitosis. Certain medical disorders and sinus or respiratory infections can also lead to bad breath – if you suspect you suffer from any of these maladies, see your dental professional. Although some people believe bad breath can come from the stomach, most medical professionals agree that your tummy is a very unlikely source of bad breath – unless, of course, you are belching.
You do want kissable breath, don’t you? If your bad breath is self-perpetuated, the most important thing to do is keep your oral cavity healthy. In addition to brushing and flossing after meals, be sure to clean your tongue. A tongue scraper will effectively remove all food particles from the surface of your tongue (a toothbrush can be used as well). Avoid foods that are particularly strong in smell (garlic, onions, etc…). Keep yourself hydrated with water (a moist mouth will actually smell better than a dry mouth – sweet baby breath is partly due to constant drooling!), and if you are unable to drink water, chew sugarless gum (which will promote saliva generation). Finally, always have your teeth professionally cleaned and examined twice a year. Essential oil-containing mouthwashes like Tooth and Gum Tonic can also inhibit bad breath for hours and will not dry out your mouth like alcoholic mouthwash, which you should stay away from. Stopping bad habits like drinking and smoking will also benefit your mouth greatly.
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