My Blog List

Monday, September 20, 2010

Curing Bad Breath

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jay_Nickles]Jay Nickles

Bad breath otherwise known as halitosis has long been a problem for mankind. To describe it simply, bad breath is unpleasant odors exhaled during breathing. Halitosis is of two types: Transient, and Chronic. In the United States, an estimated 60 million people suffer from chronic halitosis.


Transient halitosis is a temporary condition, and is caused by poor oral hygiene, by oral dryness, stress, and eating certain foods, such as garlic and onions. Smoking is also one of the causes of bad breath. Transient bad breath can be eliminated through brushing one's teeth. Chronic halitosis is a more serious condition and needs to be corrected. It could spoil one's personal, as well as business relationships. Chronic halitosis is usually caused by excessive oral bacteria, such as streptococcus mutans, and needs specialized treatment. This bacterium also contributes significantly towards tooth decay. Among other causes for chronic halitosis are continuous dry mouth syndrome - Xerostomia, and Fetor Hepaticus - a type of severe halitosis caused by chronic liver failure.

Though commonly believed, gastrointestinal tract is rarely, if ever, the reason for chronic bad breath. Diseases of the gum could be a significant cause, but bad breath usually emanates from the bacterial plaques and food coated at the back of the tongue. As bad breath is generally caused by the problems in the mouth, a visit to a dentist should be strongly considered. The dentist will often diagnose the contributing factors to bad breath and suggest the appropriate remedy.

There is a significant connection between bad breath and smoking. Smoking dries the membranes of the mouth, and tar and nicotine are deposited on the teeth, tongue, and cheeks, including other tissues, giving rise to halitosis. Dryness in the mouth aids the growth of bacteria. Morning breath, the reeking bad smell, is caused by growth of bacteria on the back of the tongue during the night. This is why dentists insist people should brush their teeth and tongue before sleep.


Good oral hygiene practices are a great way to cure halitosis. As a daily routine, use of dental floss and deep tongue cleaning is a must. The many mouthwashes, toothpastes and oral sprays are most effective for curing transient halitosis. Certain mouthwashes however contain alcohol between 8 to 25 percent, making the bad breath even worse!

As home care for halitosis, one can try the following, and if the bad breath persists, a visit to the dentist is in order. One should:

floss between the teeth
brush teeth and gums properly and deep clean the tongue
drink plenty of liquids
use a mouthwash recommended by one's dentist, and shown to be clinically effective in fighting bad breath
eat fresh, fibrous vegetables, such as carrots
not ignore one's gums - one can lose one's teeth as well as smell bad!
not rely on mouthwash alone but practice complete oral hygiene

Many people avoid going to a dentist just for bad breath, due to cost considerations. An option to ease the financial burden would be to select a good dental plan. For just a minimal cost the results can prove to be priceless!

Jay Nickles is a founder of several health related websites including [http://www.bestvaluedentalplans.com] featuring the top dental plans in the nation and http://usresourcegroup.com providing quality information on medical and heath related matters.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Curing-Bad-Breath&id=434221] Curing Bad Breath

Bad Breath - Can Mouthwash Help Stop Bad Breath?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Lynn_Ho]Lynn Ho

To find out how to stop halitosis, it is important to understand what it is, how it works and then what remedies actually work. This article will discuss how mouthwash can help reduce bad breath.


Halitosis, also known commonly as bad breath, is caused by the bacteria that accumulates in the mouth of a person. Mostly found on and near the back of the tongue, anaerobic bacteria can thrive in the back of the mouth where there is little oxygen and lots of amino acids. The acid actually occur in phlegm, mucus, and food residues from dairy and other foods high in protein. When food residues like these are left in crevasses in the teeth and gums, it will produce Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC). Volatile Sulfur Compounds give off a small of hydrogen sulfide, similar to rotten eggs. Such foul breath condition can also be caused by some foods after digestion, or in some cases, from certain medications that we take.

Without daily brushing and flossing of teeth, these food particles stay lodged in the mouth and allowing bacteria to multiply. As the food particles begin to decompose, they produce a sour or unpleasant odor. In addition, when you eat foods like onions, garlic or other similar foods, the properties of these foods become absorbed in your bloodstream, which then is transferred to the lungs and is exhaled when you breathe. Your breath condition will only improve when these food is processed by your body or has left your system.

When you look through all the items available in the oral hygiene section of your local drug store, there is such a wide variety that it can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, most products really are not effective at killing bacteria in your mouth if your bad breath is a chronic problem. These products are often designed just to smell sweet and mask the bad breath smell, but they only will work for a very short while. One exception would be any kind of mouthwash that has zinc chloride as an ingredient, or one which your dentist recommends.

Ingredients In Mouthwash

When you are trying to decide which mouthwash to purchase, look for these ingredients or features:

Cetylpyridinium chloride

This is an antibacterial compound which can reduce the amount of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth.

Zinc chloride

This material can reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds, and also will bind to other compounds which anaerobic bacteria uses to develop volatile sulfur compounds.

Antibacterial or antiseptic mouthwash

This can kill the anaerobic bacteria responsible for producing volatile sulfur compounds. Avoid any of these mouthwashes that have alcohol, which is a drying agent.

Chlorine Dioxide

This is an oxidizing agent which uses oxygen to affect anaerobic bacteria to reduce the bacteria in the mouth.

Home Made Mouthwash

A good home remedy is to use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse. It adds oxygen to the environment where the bacteria are thriving, and thus helps kill the anaerobic bacteria. If you do not have any hydrogen peroxide, simply using a glass of water to swish around the mouth can also remove any food particles that remain stuck between the teeth and gums. Food particles that remain lodged in your mouth will result in bacteria growth, and in turn bad breath. Leaving food in your mouth to rot can become a gold mine of bacteria.

Tips When Using Mouthwash

In using an everyday mouthwash product, there are certain techniques to get the most effect. The purpose of using a mouthwash is to kill any bacteria causing foul breath and the bacteria that cluster at the back of your tongue. It is most effective to gargle when you rinse, being sure to rinse the back of the mouth with an ah sound. This action makes the tongue shift toward the front of the mouth, and let the mouthwash access the rear area of the tongue where most bacteria can be found. Once you have thoroughly rinsed and gargled, be sure not to swallow the mouthwash, but to spit it out to remove the bacteria.

Ultimately the type of mouthwash, how it is used, and whether you also have a good oral hygiene habits will determine whether or not using mouthwash is effective in controlling bad breath. As long as you are making regular visits to your dentist, brushing and flossing daily, then your mouthwash can be an important part of reducing bad breath.

Eliminate [http://www.badbreathkiller.com/]bad breath today with our tips on [http://www.badbreathkiller.com/others/bad-breath-cures-which-ones-work.html]bad breath cures that work. Learn what are some of the [http://www.badbreathkiller.com/health-disease-related/bad-breath-can-be-caused-by-disease.html]bad breath causing diseases at our resource site today.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Breath---Can-Mouthwash-Help-Stop-Bad-Breath?&id=925544] Bad Breath - Can Mouthwash Help Stop Bad Breath?

Bad Breath Solutions That Can Save Your Life

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jaber_Ghoneim]Jaber Ghoneim

Bad breath solutions are important to pay attention to whenever you pass them, because bad breath is critical to good health. Bad breath could be an indication of a very serious underlying condition such as obesity, hypercholesterolemia, cardiovascular disease and diabetes to name a few. That's why it is imperative that you bring you personal daily dental care up to code.

First and foremost, you need to start taking a travel toothbrush and travel sized tube of toothpaste to work or school. You want to do this because you need to start brushing after every meal and snack throughout the day, so that when you get home, and you have to do that final closing out full brushing, you don't have such a huge workload to get through.

When you brush during the day, away from home, if you use an electric toothbrush at home, it isn't at all necessary to do this sort of full scale brushing away from home. All that's needed is an abbreviate toothbrush and a travel sized tube of toothpaste. Make sure to do the full rinsing with tap water after brushing, and this should suffice. Whenever you complete either a full or half brushing, make sure to do a thorough rinsing.

See, a huge issue today is the negative effects of digesting toothpaste and mouth wash. You want to digest and swallow the least amount of this as you possibly can, less than 0.001% of the total toothpaste used if you can. Especially after using an antiseptic mouth wash you absolutely must, it is imperative, to rinse with tap water-preferably cool or cold-in order to rinse out any leftover antiseptic.

Antiseptic is great for sterilizing, but you never really want your mouth to be completely sterilized. This could actually kill vital tissue in your mouth. And although bacterial infection is a huge threat to you and your body's overall health, you never want to be absolutely and completely bacteria free. Your mouth needs bacteria to keep saliva triggers alive and stimulated.

When you do use an antiseptic, especially if you're younger or tending to a child, you want to dilute the antiseptic mouth wash. Do about 1:1 mixture of mouth wash to tap water. After any brushing session involving an antiseptic, make sure to thoroughly rinse with tap water before you finish. You should never just rinse with mouth wash and leave it at that; doing that does more harm than good. Not only do you swallow more of the mouth wash, but you end up stimulating bacterial growth, 'cause at first it retreats because of the solution, but then it fights back; and when it does, since you didn't bother to brush, it has the resources to launch a full scale growth attack on your mouth, putting you into a worse situation than you had to begin with.

And you absolutely need to floss; even when you don't have food stuck your mouth. The reason why you need to do this is because your gums are blood vessel rich tissue that need to be stimulated.

Jaber is a bad breath expert. For more information on [http://www.cleanbadbreath.com/bad-nose-breath]bad nose breath, please visit [http://www.cleanbadbreath.com/Bad-Breath-Disease]bad breath disease center.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Breath-Solutions-That-Can-Save-Your-Life&id=4205598] Bad Breath Solutions That Can Save Your Life

Friday, September 17, 2010

Bad Breath Disease - Are You at Risk?

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Darren_Wumoult]Darren Wumoult

Are you afraid that you're at risk with a bad breath disease or do you believe that you already have severe symptoms of this condition? Bad breath is embarrassing and can interfere with one's social life and romantic life as well, but more than just an inconvenience, such disease can be a serious risk factor when it comes to the health of your mouth.

It's true that halitosis is often caused simply by a lack of oral hygiene or from simple conditions like dry mouth. When food particles get stuck between the teeth or under the gum line, they begin to break down and the resulting bacteria causes smelly breath. However, in extreme cases actual bad breath disease is caused by much more than everyday eating and a lack of proper brushing.

When teeth are not cared for properly and they begin to form cavities which in turn can result in diseases. Gum disease or gingivitis can also cause this foul odor. These conditions are typically caused by a lack of oral hygiene or by outside factors such as eating acidic foods and drinking too much acidic soda, both of which wear away the enamel of the teeth. As the enamel works as a protection for the teeth, removal of it through tooth decay can turn it into some oral condition.

Severe digestive disorders can also lead to halitosis. When a person eats overly spicy foods or anything that's difficult for the body to digest such as meat and dairy products, this causes the stomach to produce a lot of extra acid. Think of the types of foods you eat; how often do you get indigestion or acid reflux?

If you suffer from chronic heartburn and find that you also have smelly breath, then these two things may be related. Making some changes in your diet may be in order, or at least drinking more water might help as well. Water can help your stomach to break down food more easily; so will chewing slowly and taking your time when you eat. Remember that very often smelly breath can be caused by your own habits, so make sure you take the time to eat slowly, drink water with your meals, and cut back on those harsh foods as well.

I hate bad breath especially [http://www.badbreathkiller.com/visible-signs-on-yourself/symptoms-of-bad-breath-that-you-should-look-ou.html]bad breath symptoms.

However, I managed to cure my bad breath by doing the things I now share with you. I feel great and I smell much better than I used to. Find out what you can do about your bad breath and get a free report that helps you identify the major causes of bad breath that you need to know to treat your bad breath. Visit [http://www.badbreathkiller.com/]http://www.badbreathkiller.com today!

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Breath-Disease---Are-You-at-Risk?&id=1847442] Bad Breath Disease - Are You at Risk?

Bad Breath Disease - 5 Tips on How to Always Have Fresh Breath

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jaber_Ghoneim]Jaber Ghoneim

All of us were put in the unpleasant situation of talking to someone that had bad breath and that could have easily made even the most beautiful and fresh rose fade. The truth is that one out of four people suffer from bad breath disease, also known as halitosis. Together with the aging process, this percentage can increase to as high as 50%. But halitosis can be dealt with and is usually caused by inadequate oral hygiene. Other factors can also cause bad breath such as digestive diseases, liver or kidney dysfunctions and infections of the respiratory system.

Tip 1: Do not neglect the tongue when brushing your teeth

Bad breath is usually caused by small food particles leftover in your mouth which start to decompose. Therefore, a thorough oral hygiene can most definitely help you keep your breath fresh at all times. Since the tongue is like a fluffy rug, bacteria and microscopic food particles get stuck in it easily. This is why the tongue should never be neglected and cleaned just as often as teeth brushing. Flossing is also the key to a great oral hygiene, because you must make sure that each and every corner of your mouth is properly cleaned.

Tip 2: Chewing gum to produce more saliva

Although it's hard to believe, the best weapon against spreading out the smell caused by halitosis is actually saliva. A dry mouth always smells bad and can be caused by many diseases or even medication. If you're following all the rules for a proper oral hygiene, but you're still having bad breath problems, it means that you should help your glands produce more saliva. Chewing gum is a great way to stimulate the production of saliva. Low sugar gum is the best option, but don't be fooled by all the minty flavors. Mint actually decreases saliva production. Studies have shown that the best flavor to choose is cinnamon, which has proven to be effective in fighting oral bacteria as well.

Tip 3: Drink lots of water

Aging can bring dehydration together with it. As we grow older, we might not react the same way we used to towards our body's needs. Many times an individual can't figure out whether he's thirty or not, so making a habit out of drinking water is a great way to avoid dehydration and bad breath. Water actually helps maintain the bacteria level as low as possible, therefore the chances of halitosis decrease considerably.

Tip 4: Use mouthwash for urgencies

Mouthwash can be a great way to lose bad breath, but only temporarily. It's good to use mouthwash if, for example, you have to go to dinner right after work and you don't have a toothbrush with you. Never forget that mouthwash isn't the solution to your problem, it only keeps the bad smell away for a short while.

Tip 5: Go for a check-up if the problem persists

If you're doing everything in your power to lose the bad breath but aren't succeeding, then oral hygiene might not be your issue. It's best to consult a doctor because halitosis can be caused by many other diseases and a thorough check-up can help the doctor determine what the cause is in your case.

For more information on [http://www.cleanbadbreath.com/bad-breath-disease]bad breath disease, please visit [http://www.cleanbadbreath.com]http://www.cleanbadbreath.com.

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Bad-Breath-Disease---5-Tips-on-How-to-Always-Have-Fresh-Breath&id=4650307] Bad Breath Disease - 5 Tips on How to Always Have Fresh Breath

Do You Suffer From Bad Breath Disease? You Can Find Out Now

By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=E._Coleman]E. Coleman

Maintaining a good oral hygiene is imperative to keeping bad breath under control. You may have a good oral regimen; however, bad breath disease can still occur. You might ask, what exactly is bad breath disease? Bad breath disease also known as halitosis is breath that has an unpleasant odor. Depending on the cause, it can occur periodically or quite often. There are millions of bacteria that exist in the mouth, mainly in the back of the tongue which is the main cause of bad breath. Being that our mouth is warm and moist; this is the idea place for these bacteria to grow. Most bad breath is caused by something in the mouth; as stated previously, poor hygiene plays a major role in bad breath. If you do not brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which stimulates bacteria growth between teeth, around the gum, and on the tongue.

Smoking or chewing tobacco products can also cause bad breath, they can stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and aggravate gum tissues. In addition, bad breath disease can also be caused by the following:

o Infections in the mouth - Periodontal (gum) disease

o Respiratory tract infections - Throat infections, sinus infections, lung infections

o External agents - Garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco

o Dry mouth - This can be caused by salivary gland problems, medications or by "mouth breathing."

o Systemic illnesses - Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others

o Psychiatric illness - Some people may perceive that they have bad breath, but it is not noticed by oral-health-care professionals or others. This is referred to as "pseudo halitosis."

Consulting a dentist or a physician should be the first step in determining the cause of bad breath. A dentist or physician may become aware of the patient's bad breath while the patient is discussing his or her medical history and symptoms. In some cases, depending on the smell of the patient's breath, the dentist or physician may suspect a likely cause for the problem. For example, "fruity" breath may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. A urine-like smell, especially in a person who is at high risk of kidney disease, can sometimes indicate kidney failure. Once the physical examination is finished, your dentist or physician may refer you to your family physician if systemic problems are the most likely cause. In severe cases of gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you be seen by a periodontist (dentist who specializes in gum issues).

You can get additional information on [http://www.squidoo.com/bad-breath-disease-cure-]bad breath disease by visiting this [http://www.squidoo.com/bad-breath-disease-cure-]site

Article Source: [http://EzineArticles.com/?Do-You-Suffer-From-Bad-Breath-Disease?-You-Can-Find-Out-Now&id=1846365] Do You Suffer From Bad Breath Disease? You Can Find Out Now