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Bad Breath and Gingivitis

Does this sound familiar to you? My dentist and hygienist mentioned that I had irritated gums as they cleaned my teeth. This is a symptom of gingivitis.

Gingivitis can be a stepping stone to major problems in the mouth and gum line. It can lead to periodontal disease, which is a much more serious problem with the potential for actual bone loss.

Halitosis (bad breath) could be related to a gingivitis infection as both are caused by bacteria. Red, swollen and/or bleeding gums characterize gingivitis. These symptoms are most evident upon flossing and sometimes from brushing.

Bacteria cause gingivitis. And bacteria are considered to be responsible for bad breath.

Sometimes, I could even see the bloodstains that the hygienist quietly wiped away with a towel. It was embarrassing enough to know that I wasn’t controlling my gingivitis problem, but to know that she was actually trying not to make a big deal out of it was troubling.

I knew my dentist was concerned because she gave me a bottle of alcohol based mouthwash to try and mentioned that she wanted to see how I looked next time. I don’t like using it; there is too much alcohol and the taste is not very pleasant. Alcohol may also dry the mucous membranes in the mouth.

The Problem

Bacteria can stick to your teeth and secrete acid onto them contributing to cavity formation. They can also infect the gums, particularly around the gum line, causing gingivitis. This can manifest initially as bleeding and irritated gums.

Having a lot of uncontrolled bacteria multiplying in the mouth may also lead to bad breath, but there is a natural and normal amount of bacteria in the mouth, and you will never completely get rid of them all, nor would you want to.

Theory has it that it is actually the anaerobic bacteria that live in the tongue and throat that produce sulfur that in turn produce hard to get rid of bad breath. These anaerobes create VSCs or volatile sulfur compounds. One type is the familiar rotten egg smell. There are other odors coming from VSCs as well. These sulfur-producing bacteria may feed on certain foods, like coffee, alcohol and meats.

A gingivitis problem can offer a way for bacteria to easily enter your blood stream and that can lead to additional problems. Systemic infections could come from this. Gingivitis can be something that makes your gums bleed easily in a mild case or it can be the root of deep gum recession, leading to bone loss in the worse case scenarios. (Periodontal disease)

Loss of gum line can be discouraging. A friend of mind once described the process as, “getting long in the tooth”. Sometimes, people experience this problem by brushing too hard. TIP: Using a soft bristled toothbrush with the type of motion that your hygienist recommends may help prevent eroded gum lines.

Treatment and Prevention

Had you ever heard of under-the-gum cleanings? This could be part of the protocol your dentist might invoke, should you develop periodontal disease. If you know people that have had an under-the-gum cleaning; they may tell you that it is not very pleasant.

Your dentist can deal with this problem in a variety of ways. However, prevention probably is the best option. Include good flossing and brushing habits – see your dentist for details. And you could add a non-alcohol based mouthwash alternative to your regimen.

I’m currently using a special toothbrush that uses vibration to clean the teeth. This device does a better job than a regular toothbrush in keeping my teeth clean. It does take a little while to get used to because of the vibration. It makes many, many vibrations per second. This helps to give it such wonderful cleaning abilities.

Don’t feel sad if you have excellent oral health habits but you still have bad breath. This is common and many people experience this same situation. Oral health products that don’t contain sodium lauryl sulfates or artificial flavors that can still kill the bacteria that cause bad breath without using harsh alcohol or tough chemicals may be helpful.

I am not a dentist. This article is for information purposes only. This article is not meant for diagnosis, treatment or prevention nor is it meant to give advice. If you have or suspect you have gingivitis, periodontal disease or any other dental problems, visit your dentist for a consultation.

Dave Snape is a health, fitness and wellness enthusiast. His website is http://tobeinformed.com

Is It Bad Breath Or Gall Bladder Disease?

Could your bad breath be a sign of gall bladder disease?

Sometimes a particularly strong case of bad breath can really signal another ailment. While the average case of bad breath usually arises from conditions within the mouth, especially offensive or unusual-smelling bad breath may warrant further investigation.

How can your gall bladder relate to bad breath? Your gall bladder produces strong digestive juices, which empty into your stomach. When the gall bladder builds up mineral stones, the bile ducts can become blocked. Infection and great discomfort can result, causing a number of unpleasant symptoms, such as fleeting pain, nausea and even vomiting, especially after eating a fatty meal. Another possible telltale effect of gall bladder blockage is bad breath.

If you are experiencing abdominal trouble and you suspect your bad breath may be a sign of greater trouble ahead, compare your symptoms to these warning signs of gall bladder disease.

Internal symptoms of gall bladder disease:

1. Agonizing pain in the upper right abdomen — especially after a heavy meal. The pain can last from minutes to hours.

2. Sudden fever.

3. Nausea and/or vomiting.

4. Clay-colored stools. The lighter color results from insufficient bile (that is, blocked gall bladder ducts).

Outward signs of gall bladder disease:

1. Excessively bad breath.

2. Itchy skin rashes.

3. A white-coated tongue.

4. Offensive body odor and yellowish skin.

5. Yellow, discolored eyes, and dark circles beneath the eyes.

If you are experiencing any combination of these symptoms, it’s time to consult with your physician.

Bad breath by itself does not mean you have gall bladder disease — it’s uncommon for bad breath to arise from anything other than poor oral hygiene. However, if your bad breath is particularly offensive, and coupled with some of the more noticeable signs of gall bladder disease, especially excruciating abdominal pain, further testing is called for. Ask your physician to diagnose whether it’s simply bad breath — or something more serious, like gall bladder disease.

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of CuresForBadBreath.com. Stop by http://www.curesforbadbreath.com to learn more about bad breath cures and home remedies for halitosis.

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath(Halitosis)is widespread and quite common. You have probably discretely stepped away from friends or colleagues with bad breath. But it can also be a shock to realize that others, for the same reason, may be edging (discretely) away from you!

How can you know if your breath is offensive?

Try this simple bad breath(Halitosis)test: Lick the inside of your wrist and wait 4 seconds. Now smell your wrist. If you don’t like what smell, your breath does not smell good either. Easy, no? An accurate and portable diagnosis!

What causes bad breath?

· Not enough water in your body, dehydration. · Gum or tooth problems/ disease · Intestinal/ stomach disorders, yeast infection · Use of medications · Stress

Remedies for Bad Breath (Halitosis)

1. Water – yes, water! Many people suffer from chronic dehydration because they don’t drink drink the 8-12 glasses of water a day that the body needs. This common form of dehydration causes much common bad breath. You can improve your breath – and give a big lift to your health – simply by drinking enough water.

2. Recently eaten food that hasn’t been brushed out can quickly smell bad. The “cure” then is to simply brush or floss. For gum disease and decay you must visit your dentist. And for improved oral hygiene, put a few drops of Oil of Oregano on your toothbrush or to swish it in your mouth as a mouthwash. Did you know that Oil of Oregano is antibacterial/ anti viral/ anti fungus and anti parasite? It seeks out these health impediments everywhere in the body. At the first signs of infection, Oil of Oregano is your great first line of defense.

3. For disturbed digestion you should see your doctor. But for mild problems such as GERD and acid reflux, take probiotics in the form acidophilus or kefir. For worse stomach problems try ¼ cup of Aloe vera before breakfast. Do this for at least 3 weeks. For my friend Peter this completely healed his stomach ulcer! Most GERD are related to the H pylori, which is a bacteria found in meats that haven’t been thoroughly cooked. If you like your meat rare, take Oil of Oregano on a regular basis as a preventive measure.

3. When you are under too much stress your digestive system doesn’t circulate enough oxygen (the energy goes into a fight or flight mode). This makes your digestive tract a breeding ground for the wrong bacteria – and for bad breath as well. Be sure to introduce deep, relaxed breathing throughout your busy day.

4. Eat raw parsley, chew on anise seed or cardamom, nutmeg or fennel – they’re natural breath fresheners that don’t just mask odors, but actually freshen the breath.

5. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains; avoid white flour products like white bread and pastas, as well as sugared juices and sodas.

5. You may have an undetected yeast infection. Find out for yourself by performing a simple self-test for yeast/candida overgrowth.

6. Chew your food well and do not drink fluids with your food. Take no food two hours before bedtime and try to not take food for 12 hours after dinner.

7. Eliminate as often as you can. Try to have three bowel movements a day. If you need some help, try 4 ounces of prune juice with 4 ounces of magnesium citrate. (My R.N. friend Marie calls this “The Bomb”.) For more help try 2000 mg. of vitamin C with electrolytes every hour. Do this for 4 hours or more, until you start to have loose stools. (This also works well for headaches and boosts your immune system.

8. Drink at least 2 cups of kefir a day. This helps your intestinal flora regain its natural balance of bacteria.

Remember – fresh, clean breath is a reflection of good health, and health is an ongoing process. Stick with it! Follow my suggestions, and keep a log of what you do and the effects you see. This simple tracking process can help you pinpoint what is truly effective. You will be inspired by your own success!

Warmly, Pieternel van Giersbergen.
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. Her site http://www.pieternel.com has over 120 articles about healing yourself and staying healthy.

The Truth About Halitosis, More Commonly Known As Bad Breath

PART I: THE SCIENCE OF HALITOSIS AND BACTERIA IN YOUR MOUTH

Halitosis, also more commonly known as bad breath, is caused by anaerobic producing bacteria which normally live WITHIN the surface of the tongue and in the throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there because they assist with digestion by breaking down proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or “broken-down” oral tissue. Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. Proteins are made up of amino acids, two of which (Cysteine and Methionine) are dense with sulfur.

When the “beneficial” bacteria come into contact with these amino acids, the halitosis and “lousy-tasting” sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat. These halitosis compounds are often scientifically referred to as Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC’s), where volatile means vaporous and effervescent.

Because my original degree is in Bacteriology, let me explain a very important fact about these “bugs”. First of all they are not infectious. Everyone in the world has the same group of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot “catch” halitosis from someone, even through kissing. Since they are part of our normal oral flora, you cannot permanently remove them from your mouth either, not by tongue scraping, not with antibiotics, and not by using rinses which claim to “lift the bacteria off your tongue”. The only scientifically proven and clinically effective method of halting halitosis is by attacking the bacteria’s ability to produce VSC’s, and by converting the VSC’s into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts.

Speaking about bacteria, there is one other fact that you must understand about them. They are classified as “anaerobic” which literally means “without oxygen”. They thrive in an environment where oxygen is NOT present. That is why they do not live on the surface of your tongue. Instead, they live in between the papillae (fibers) that make up your tongue.

These sulfur compounds are actually by-products of anaerobic bacteria. Everyone needs these bacteria because they assist the digestion process. Unfortunately as of yet for some undetermined reason, these particular bacteria are found in higher numbers in those plagued by halitosis. There are various theories that attribute the cause of halitosis to hormonal changes, a history of taking medications (usually antibiotics or sulfa drugs because they create an imbalance of oral bacteria), or even due to genetics (halitosis disorders appear to run in some families). It is known however, that halitosis seems to be evenly split between men and women.

PART II: THE CONDITIONS UNDER WHICH HALITOSIS BECOMES WORSE

There are certain conditions that exasperate a halitosis problem such as dry mouth, post nasal drip, the sinuses, and eating high protein foods.

Dry Mouth and Halitosis

Although some cases of dry mouth are naturally occurring, most cases are caused by one of the following factors: prescription medications (usually prescribed for high blood pressure or depression), antihistamines, and adult beverages that contain alcohol.

When your mouth is dryer you have less saliva. Saliva naturally contains oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh. The bacteria that cause halitosis are anaerobic, which again simply means that they will thrive and make more sulfur in the presence of little or no oxygen. Thus if you have less saliva, you have less oxygen, thereby creating an anaerobic environment, perfect for the bacteria to produce halitosis and sour/bitter tasting compounds.

Post Nasal Drip and Halitosis

Post nasal drip is a condition where mucous drains and coats the back of the tongue and throat. These locations of the oral environment are exactly where bacteria live. We have learned that proteins contain amino acids, which in turn contain halitosis producing sulfur compounds. Since mucous is made up of interlinked strands of protein, with the condition of post nasal drip, the bacteria has a field day breaking down the proteins into halitosis and sour tasting sulfur type compounds. Strong antihistamines will not provide any help because of their drying effect.

The Sinuses and Halitosis

After personally treating nearly 9,000 people worldwide, I have yet to see a patient get rid of halitosis following sinus surgery. First of all, these anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the sinuses. When someone has a sinus infection, one of the common symptoms are intense sinus headaches caused by the pressure from the infection in the sinus. If you don’t have these powerful headaches, you probably don’t have a sinus problem. The fact is that once someone has an elevated amount of these anaerobic bacteria, they will create a halitosis problem from any protein source, including mucous, phlegm, etc. which drain down the back of your throat into the area where these bacteria live.

High Protein Foods and Halitosis

Those halitosis causing bacteria love proteins, and certain foods are packed with them such as dairy foods, fish, and even coffee.

Milk and cheese and most other dairy products are high in protein. A special note if you are lactose intolerant…I recommend you not eat or drink these products! Since your system cannot digest them properly, they are available to the bacteria for an extended period of time. A research article from the Los Angeles Times (November 1996) on lactose intolerance revealed that nearly 67% of all Americans can be classified as “lactose intolerant”. This is due to the fact that in a diverse population such as we have here, there is a predilection for Asians, Hispanics, and African-Americans to be lactose intolerant.

Fish is high in protein as well. As many people tend to eat a high fish diet, logically, they make a halitosis problem worse.

Coffee, with or even without caffeine, contains high levels of acids which cause the bacteria that creates halitosis to reproduce more rapidly and create a bitter taste for many people. Virtually any acidic type of food will do this.

PART III: WHAT WORKS IN SOLVING A HALITOSIS PROBLEM

In the search for products that help in solving halitosis, there is one particular ingredient I highly recommend, Oxyd-VIII. It is an active ingredient comprised of stabilized chlorine dioxide that prevents the anaerobic bacteria from creating the sulfide and Mercaptan compounds of halitosis. Oxyd-VIII does this by “adding oxygen” to the oral environment. The end result is the formation of a “sulfate” which has no odor or taste (as opposed to sulfur which has an odor and bitter/sour taste). Most of the patients I treat start out with a starter kit that contains this active oxygen producing ingredient and work their way up from there.

Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topic of halitosis. Are you searching for a solution to stop halitosis? Receive your FREE copy of his easy-to-read “Bad Breath Bible” by visiting: http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/l/truth.asp

Post Nasal Drip and Nasal Sinus Congestion Will Transform a Case of ‘Normal’ Breath Into Bad Breath

Post Nasal Drip and Nasal Sinus Congestion Will Transform a Case of ‘Normal’ Breath into BAD Breath and ‘Bad’ Breath into Horrible Breath!

Bad breath is very closely related to post nasal drip, excess mucus, sinus problems, your tonsils, and tonsiloliths.

In my book “The Bad Breath Bible” I discuss how the bacteria which causes bad breath and sour/bitter/metallic tastes are anaerobic, meaning they live without oxygen. The bacteria’s goal in life is to break down the proteins in foods that we eat. However, under certain conditions, they will also start to break down the proteins found in post nasal drip.

Therefore, those people who suffer from post nasal drip, sinus problems, and other such ailments are more prone to bad breath and lousy tastes in their mouth. The anaerobic bacteria uses the post nasal drip mucus as a food source and starts to extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids that make up the proteins found in all this excess mucus.

Scientifically, the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath “love” the amino acids Cysteine and Methionine. These amino acids are the building blocks of the proteins that are found in post nasal drip, and can even be found in dairy foods. In fact, most people notice that when they drink too much milk or eat too much cheese, they end up with more mucous or phlegm in their throat. This is a natural reaction for many people and unfortunately, ends up causing more bad breath and a lousy taste in your mouth.

If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to an “interesting” and very often misunderstood phenomenon, called TONSILOLITHS. Literally translated, they are “tonsil stones” produced by the conglomeration of post nasal drip mucus draining down the back of the throat, and the volatile sulfur compounds created by the bacteria. These bacteria easily end up in the “nooks and crannies” of the tonsils every time one swallows. I can’t tell you how many stories I’ve heard from my patients who asked their dentist what these objects were, and more often than not the answer was ‘food particles’. This couldn’t be further from the truth!

What can you do if you suffer from post nasal drip, excess mucus, and sinus congestion? There are essentially only a few different routes that you can take:

1. Use medication and or drugs to dry up the sinuses and prevent post nasal drip mucus buildup – all the while being careful to avoid a dry mouth, a likely side-effect of virtually all antihistamines. Dry mouth is the most common initiator of bad breath because it mimics an anaerobic environment, perfect for the “bugs” to pump out volatile sulfur compounds. You should be careful about using any antihistamine too frequently – many are habit forming!

2. Use TheraBreath Nasal Sinus Formula. I recommend squeezing 3-4 drops into each nostril and then lightly inhaling to move the potent formula through the sinuses twice daily. Most people can finally experience that fresh breath and taste feeling after the formula effectively eliminates the production of sulfur compounds created by the reaction of post nasal drip and the anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria.

3. For chronic post nasal drip and sinus problems, many patients will find relief by using the HydroPulse®. This is an amazingly effective nasal-sinus irrigator, designed by an Ear Nose & Throat specialist to flush the sinuses. It works even better when you add just 2-3 drops of AktivOxigen serum into the trough before each use.

4. Minimize the amount of post nasal drip in your throat and sinuses, and eliminate the #1 side effect of excess mucus (bad breath!) by using oxygenating oral care products, such as TheraBreath, TheraBreath PLUS, AktivOxigen, PerioTherapy, and TheraBrite.

Medication and drugs MAY help prevent post nasal drip, but at what cost?

There are dozens of different over-the counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines you can use to help relieve congestion and dry up post nasal drip symptoms. Some of them are very good at what they claim… but mostly they are TOO GOOD! They create an extremely dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath. Even in cases where the dry mouth side effect is minimal, when you stop taking that medication the problem comes back, and almost always with a vengeance! This is because in some cases, your body will actually develop a resistance to any antihistamines or nasal decongestants, especially nasal sprays. You must be careful, because many sprays are habit forming – but NOT TheraBreath formulas!

Suffice it to say, using over-the-counter nasal decongestants and antihistamines should NOT be an option that you pursue. Instead, I suggest using a nasal-irrigator such as the HydroPulse® to flush your sinuses free from post nasal drip mucus.

Nasal irrigation is probably the most effective method of eliminating post nasal drip and helping to control sinus infections. The HydroPulse Sinus Irrigator is an FDA registered device supported by over 37 published medical reports. The unique pulsatile irrigation of the HydroPulse helps to restore ciliary function and relieve post nasal drip. A short period of regular use can stimulate the cilia, which are the tiny hair-like fibers in the nasal sinus passages, to restore their natural protective “sweeping & cleansing” action. When you feel a sinus condition come on, or feel that you have persistent post nasal drip and excess mucus, consistent daily use for 10 days should result in a clearing of the condition. For best results, I recommend a combination of this easy-to-use home instrument with an oxygenating solution such as AktivOxigen serum.

Tips on how to stop bad breath associated with post nasal drip:

For people who don’t really have sinus problems, just “off and on” or seasonal post nasal drip, then an alternative (and better) solution might be to minimize the amount of excess mucus in the back of the throat and more importantly to make sure you neutralize the odor caused by this excess mucus.

There are three key formulas that most of my patients find extremely effective at neutralizing the odor caused by post nasal drip:

1. Nasal Sinus Drops – which are highly effective at cleaning the sinuses (a very hard to reach area) of the volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

2. AktivOxigen Tablets – which can be added to an unflavored oral rinse that you can actually swallow. The solution gets deeper down in the throat than just regular rinsing, and will actually help break down post nasal drip congestion and excess mucus in the throat.

3. Extinguisher Spray – an extremely popular nozzle applicator spray that is very efficient in reaching the back of the throat and tonsils. These are common problem areas for people who suffer from post nasal drip and excess mucus in the throat.

I’ve been here for the last 10 years to help patients prevent bad breath, sinus congestion, and lousy tastes, and I’ll be here for many more years to come.

Dr. Harold Katz, founder of the California Breath Clinics, is a worldwide expert on the topics of bad breath.. To receive your FREE copy of his easy-to-read “Bad Breath Bible” visit: Bad Breath Bible

How To Stop Morning Breath

FACT: Just about EVERYONE has morning breath to one degree or another.

STATISTICS ON MORNING BREATH, WHERE DO YOU FIT?

Approximately 35% of the world’s population has a chronic, noticeable breath condition which usually leads them to seek help from a professional. This group of people have bad breath concerns 24 hours a day, including food odors, taste disorders, dry mouth, and of course morning breath.

Another 35% are considered “borderline” meaning that their breath seems fresh throughout the day, but they can easily reach “chronic” levels if they eat certain foods (dairy, alcohol, sugars), after taking medication (antihistamines, antidepressants, high blood pressure medication), and always when they wake up, in other words, morning breath.

The remaining 30% rarely worry about bad breath. The only exceptions are when they eat garlic and onions, or upon wakening (morning breath)….

WHAT CAUSES MORNING BREATH?

An environment that contributes to morning breath is one that is dry. As we sleep throughout the night, our salivary glands slow down (or for some older people, they shut down completely) because our brain knows we are not eating. This lack of saliva combined with the constant flow of air (for those of us who snore or are mouth breathers) over our palate makes for a very DRY environment on the tongue, within the oral cavity, and in the throat. These dry areas are the breeding grounds of the anaerobic (without oxygen) sulfur producing bacteria that cause bad breath and taste disorders, and thus, when we awake we have morning breath. Saliva is nature’s way of protecting us from bad breath because healthy saliva contains high concentrations of oxygen, the natural enemy of anaerobic bacteria.

What most people don’t know is that morning breath is NOT something you have to live with!

The key to stopping morning breath is to find a way to stop the production of those volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s) during the night as you are asleep. One way would be to increase the production of saliva within the back of your throat and mouth during the course of the night. This however is very difficult to do, after all you’re asleep! Those of us who are mouth breathers are drying out the back of our throats with each breath we take throughout the night.

A better, and easier way, is to stop the production of bad breath sulfur compounds by the bacteria that create morning breath. How do you do this? I recommend using what are called “AktivOxigen tablets” (http://therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=2). These tablets are small, highly concentrated morning breath eliminators. When dropped into water, they create a POWERFUL, unflavored oral rinse that will destroy the morning breath bacteria on contact. This rinse is also effective because it is a rinse that you can swallow which allows the solution to coat the back of your throat and tonsils. Using the rinse prior to bedtime, allowing the solution to work for the entire night, virtually eliminates morning breath.

Dr. Harold Katz is the leading expert on the topic of bad breath. Are you searching for a solution to stop morning breath or bad breath? Grab your FREE copy of his “Bad Breath Bible” by visiting: http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/l/breath.asp

Finally, A Breath Mint That Does What It’s Supposed To

One weekend you get together with friends for dinner at a delectable restaurant that serves cheese fondue, and you have a martini to cap it off. You want to make sure you have fresh breath, so after dinner you pop in an Altoids or other similar breath mint. Although you may now have a cinnamon-like taste in your mouth, what you’ve really done is made your bad breath problem much worse. Let me explain…

All the “breath mint candies” that you’re used to seeing in the stores (Altoids, Tic-Tacs, Certs, Ice Breakers, etc…) all commit some kind of fatal mistake in the documented science of creating fresh breath. You see, by now the academic halitosis community knows the causes of bad breath…and we also know the exact conditions that create an oral environment in your mouth that is more likely to produce bad breath.

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT SITUATIONAL BAD BREATH AND WHAT TRIGGERS IT

A common type of bad breath that occurs in 99.9% of the world population, at one time or another, is situational bad breath. It happens when someone activates what is called a “trigger” which causes the oral environment in their mouth to become more likely for the anaerobic bacteria to begin creating the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s) that cause bad breath.

In scientific terms, when your mouth encounters one of these triggers, it creates an oral environment that encourages the anaerobic bacteria to begin extracting sulfur compounds from specific amino acids. One amino acid called Cysteine, turns into Hydrogen Sulfide, which has a rotten-egg smell. Another amino acid, Methionine, becomes Methyl Mercaptan which smells sort of like dirty socks. What are the common bad breath triggers? They include foods that are high in protein, alcohol, medication with dry mouth side effects, smoking, garlic, onions, coffee, citrus juice, and sugar.

WHY DID THE ‘BREATH MINT CANDY’ AFTER DINNER NOT WORK AT REFRESHING YOUR BREATH?

During dinner you introduced two “triggers” to your mouth (protein and alcohol) that weren’t previously there. These triggers make your oral environment very eager to begin creating foul-smelling VSC’s (volatile sulfur compounds). Thus, the process of producing bad breath began.

Wouldn’t you think that a breath mint would contain ingredients that make this oral environment less likely to happen? At the very least, there shouldn’t be anything in a breath mint that would make that oral environment worse right?

SO, WHAT MAKES A BREATH MINT ACTUALLY NEUTRALIZE BAD BREATH PRODUCTION?

First, you need a breath mint that does not contain sugar – your breath mint should NEVER have sugar as an ingredient. Rather, the ingredient xylitol should be used. Xylitol is a NATURAL sweetener and has also been proven to have tremendous anti-decay properties.

Next your breath mint should also contain zinc gluconate. This ingredient literally puts a “straight-jacket” around those bad breath producing anaerobic bacteria. Specifically, it blocks the receptors on the anaerobic bacteria so that they don’t bind with the amino acids thus preventing the production of VSC’s (volatile sulfur compounds), which causes bad breath!

Remember, your breath mint should be free of aspartame, saccharin, and artificial colors or flavors. Do you see where I’m getting at? The top breath mint fresheners on the market ALL contain either sugar, or an artificial flavor that is designed to cover up rather than prevent bad breath and taste.

WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE? WHAT BREATH MINTS DO I RECOMMEND?

One such breath mint that contains none of these ineffective ingredients but does contain all of the good ones, are ZOX breath lozenges. With their patented combination of Zinc, Oxygen, and Xylitol they are literally the most effective breath mint available.

Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of bad breath, halitosis, and dry mouth. Are you searching for a solution to stop bad breath? Receive his Fresh Breath Sample Package for FREE visit: http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/L-Mint.asp

Bad Breath Terminology

We all know someone who has bad breath. Still, you may not be current on all the slang associated with this unfortunate condition. Not to worry, my friend. I am here to provide you with more than a few descriptive phrases to use when referring to recurring bad breath, also known as halitosis. This is not meant to be amusing, but rather meant to provide a public service to those who want to classify people around them who have bad breath without appearing to be out of the loop. The last thing I want you to do is blurt out that someone simply has “bad breath” as that can be an unforgiveable social faux pas in the wrong crowd. To be safe, please refer to this list describing the malady in more current terms.

When someone exhibits bad breath, it is now said that they are:
A) farting topside
B) leaking some limburger
C) melting the moustache
D) burning tires on their tongue
E) polluting the local environment
F) exploring the limits of personal space with every exhalation

Just think of how much more poignant these remarks will be than the old standard of, “so and so has bad breath”. Now you too can appear “bad breath” savvy when reporting the condition. No need to thank me for this, helping others is what I do. I don’t recommend that you make these comment to the offending person, as they might give the impression of a lack of tact on your part. Besides, telling someone they have bad breath isn’t nearly as fun as telling someone else about them. Of course, no one would do this for the simple joy of gossiping about another’s misfortune.

Like me, I’m certain you would merely be passing along vital information in the hope that it would work its way around to the intended recipient. This way, you have absolved yourself of the serious responsibility of telling someone their breath offends and placed that burden not so squarely on the shoulders of a mutual acquaintance. Devilishly brilliant, in my opinion.

A BadBreathOGram is an e-mail you send to someone who you want to know has bad breath but you do not want to confront directly. Give it a try. Tell someone they have bad breath.

Foods To Avoid That Cause Bad Breath

Did you know that there are specific foods that may lead to bad breath? This is because of volatile sulfur compounds – the culprit in causing bad breath!

For example, if food sits out too long it will spoil. That spoiling action is due to anaerobic bacteria breaking down proteins in that particular food. In milk, the odor of sour milk is caused by relatives of the bugs that create bad breath when they break down proteins in the milk (and basically in all dairy foods). A reaction takes place where ‘the bad breath bugs’ extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids in these proteins. Specifically, the amino acid Cysteine is converted to Hydrogen Sulfide (which has a rotten egg smell) and Methionine becomes Methyl Mercaptan (which smells like a cross between old socks and garlic). The same analogy applies to meat if it sits out too long.

Everyone knows that onions and garlic will create bad breath. But do you know why? It’s because the odorous molecules in onions and garlic are actually sulfur compounds themselves called Mercaptans. Sulfur is nature’s way of creating odors. You’re all familiar with the skunk. Its odor is created by a defense and/or attack mechanism. Skunk odor is made up of skatoles, which are naturally occurring sulfur compounds. In a similar fashion, bacteria in your mouth creates the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath and taste disorders.

There are 4 food categories that will result in an increase of sulfur production because these categories have a stimulating affect on the bacteria that cause bad breath:

1. Drying Agents

2. Dense Protein Foods

3. Sugars

4. Acidic Foods

Let’s look closely at each of these food categories and how they stimulate bad breath!

DRYING AGENTS

The most common drying agent in food is alcohol. Alcohol of course, is the basis of all “adult” beverages such as beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is also used, unfortunately, in many mouthwashes you find in the grocery stores, which only makes a bad breath problem worse.

Alcohol, known chemically as a desiccant, is used quite often in laboratories to “dry out” hard to reach areas in test tubes and beakers. The same end result takes place in the oral cavity.

Although cigarettes are not really food, smoking is probably the quickest way to dry out your mouth, with alcohol being the second. If you smoke, you are bound to have bad breath!

DENSE PROTEIN FOODS

Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. An article that appeared in the “Los Angeles Times” once noted that over 50% of the population in Southern California was “lactose intolerant”. With regards to bad breath, many of these people (numbering in the tens of millions) end up with more dense proteins available as bad breath fuel for the bacteria than those who have no problem with dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. The end result is a buildup of amino acids, which are easily converted into volatile sulfur compounds by the anaerobic bacteria found within the surface of your tongue and throat.

To a lesser extent, people have the same problem with other types of food that are considered to be dense in protein such as beef, chicken, and fish.

Another problem, thankfully rare, has to do with people who have an inability to break down certain proteins found in beans. This condition is called TMA (Trimethylaminuria) and is sometimes known as the “Fish Odor Syndrome,” because the odor produced is similar to decaying fish. The odor consists of sulfur compounds, plus nitrogen compounds (amines). People with this condition must abstain from beans and other types of food that are dense in protein.

SUGARS

Wouldn’t it be great if we could get rid of bad breath by chewing on M&Ms? Or what if the cure for bad breath were Hershey Kisses?

That’s what the makers of Altoids would have you believe. Altoids, and other products of the same ilk, are trying to fool the public into believing that a strong “good” taste in your mouth is equivalent to the “freshness” of your breath. This is so anti-scientific it’s absurd! If you think about it for a minute, it really doesn’t make any sense.

By using concentrated mint flavorings, your taste buds pick up mint as a taste. However, Altoids contains two types of sugar which again, are a fuel for the bacteria to reproduce and create more sulfur compounds – thus bad breath. In addition, the frightening part is that other bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycan strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on the enamel of your teeth and around your gums. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease – and you guessed it – worse breath than you started with!

Since you can’t smell your own breath, you just go merrily along with that great strong mint taste in your mouth, while others close to you are backing away – backing away from your increased bad breath, decayed teeth, and gross, swollen, bleeding gums!

Stay away from candies, mints, and chewing gum if they contain sugar! Instead, let me recommend an alternative created by TheraBreath called the TheraBreath Oxygenating Chewing Gum (http://www.therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=5). It releases Oxygen molecules directly into your mouth and also contains the antibacterial agent, Zinc Gluconate. This agent is found in many cold medications. In addition it contains Xylitol, which is a natural sweetening agent with an anti-decay compound.

ACIDIC FOODS

Foods with a high acidic content are a problem as well. pH is a term used to describe the acidity of an environment. The oral cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7 is considered neutral). Some of the foods you should watch out for are coffee and many citrus juices. Both decaffeinated and regular coffee contain acids. However, tea is okay. Among the citrus juices the ones with the highest acidic content include tomato juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit juice.

We know that acids make the bacteria reproduce much faster. In order to decrease the production of odorous sulfur compounds, the acid environment needs to be neutralized.

What can you learn from all this? Avoiding foods that contribute to, if not cause, bad breath is vital if you want to have clean fresh breath. While this is a difficult task, being aware of these bad breath causing elements is the first step in developing confidence in your breath. In addition, it is important to use oral care products that are free of alcohol, sugar, and that also have a high pH level.

Dr. Harold Katz is the worldwide expert on the topics of bad breath, halitosis, and dry mouth. Searching for a bad breath solution? To receive your FREE copy of his easy-to-read “Bad Breath Bible” visit: http://www.TheraBreath.com/web/art/L-FTCBB.asp

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.

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