Health Sessions » Bad Breath

Bad breath and feces

Editor — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 01:15:12 +0000

Bad breath can also be named as halitosis. It is basically unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive. While feces are the waste matter that are eliminated from the bowels or in other words we can say that it is the excrement. Some of the disorders in the human body produce specific and characteristic odors to the breath. A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a characteristic sign of ketoacidosis, which may occur in diabetes, and is a potentially life-threatening condition. A fecal odor to the breath can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction. It may also occur temporarily if a person has a nasogastric tube i.e. a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain the stomach contents, in place. The breath may have an ammonia-like odor in people with chronic kidney failure.

More of the bad breath and its causes

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, may go far beyond a tinge of garlic or onions. Like other types of body odor, many forms of halitosis are the handiwork of bacteria. When the germs that live in the mouth break down food particles and other debris, they often foul the air with highly pungent chemicals. Hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and other compounds most often associated with bad breath are known in the dental trade as volatile sulfur compounds. Microbes that often live on bits of food that cling to the back of the tongue or get stuck between teeth produce these odor-causing compounds. They can also thrive in the pockets between the gum and tooth, particularly if you have serious or even mild gum disease.

Conclusion

Bacteria also tend to do extremely well in mouths that don't produce enough saliva to rinse away food particles. And if you have postnasal drip from chronic allergies or sinusitis, mucus can collect on the back of your tongue and provide rations for an army of bacteria. Clean mouth is the best defense against bad breath. See a dentist regularly, floss between your teeth every day, and brush with a fluoride toothpaste two to three times each day. And don't neglect your tongue, especially the back section. By brushing it gently with a toothbrush or using a plastic tongue scraper, also gently, you can deprive bacteria of a prime breeding ground. Go slowly and you'll learn to avoid the gag reflex. Finally, have your teeth cleaned professionally by a dental hygienist every six months.

Bad breath

Editor — Fri, 04 Nov 2011 06:15:09 +0000

Bad breath can lead to embarrassment, create social and psychological barriers, and even affect marriages. Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major problem, especially when you're about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with some simple steps. Odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth cause bad breath. When you don't brush and floss regularly, bacteria accumulate on the bits of food left in your mouth and between your teeth. The sulfur compounds released by these bacteria make your breath smell. Certain foods, especially ones like garlic and onions that contain pungent oils, can contribute to bad breath because the oils are carried to your lungs and out through your mouth. Smoking is also a major cause of bad breath.

Emergence of bad breathe

The majority of bad breath problems begin in the mouth. Bad breath that is of oral cavity origin can be traced to a sulfur compound produced by bacteria. Dead and dying bacterial cells release this sulfur compound that gives the breath an unpleasant odor. Bacterial plaque and food debris accumulate on the back of the tongue. The tongue's surface is extremely rough and bacteria can accumulate easily in the cracks and crevices. Large amounts of sulfur compounds can be produced in this area, making it a frequent site of origin for bad breath. The tooth attracts bacteria containing plaque and if not cleaned regularly and thoroughly, this can result in large accumulations of bacteria that result in bad breath. People who have periodontitis often experience bad breath because of bacteria accumulating in areas that are not cleaned easily, such as deep pockets around teeth. Fortunately, treatment is very effective for people who have bad breath of mouth origin.

Other reasons for the emergence

Other reasons for bad breath may be, infections, especially in the sinuses or lungs diabetes mellitus, kidney failure, malfunction of the liver disorders of metabolism, and lastly fasting. If your bad breath continues once potential oral health problems have been treated, see your doctor to rule out any other causes.

Bad breath halitosis

Editor — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 20:29:59 +0000

Bad breath and halitosis are the name for the same disease. It is an unpleasant condition that's cause for embarrassment. Some people with bad breath aren't even aware there's a problem. If you're concerned about bad breath, see your dentist. He or she can help identify the cause and, if it's due to an oral condition, develop a treatment plan to help eliminate it. What you eat affects the air you exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions, contribute to objectionable breath odor. Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

More of the bad breathe

Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth, which occurs when the flow of saliva decreases. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor. Dry mouth may be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe artificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy and increasing your fluid intake. Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit. Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.

Conclusion

Maintaining good oral health is essential to reducing bad breath. Schedule regular dental visits for a professional cleaning and checkup. If you think you have constant bad breath, keep a log of the foods you eat and make a list of medications you take. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your tongue, too. Once a day, use floss or an interdentally cleaner to clean between teeth. Mouthwashes are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath. If you must constantly use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist. If you need extra help in controlling plaque, your dentist may recommend using a special antimicrobial mouth rinse. A fluoride mouth rinse, used along with brushing and flossing, can help prevent tooth decay.

Bad breath solutions

Editor — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 19:59:59 +0000

Millions of people suffer with embarrassing bad breath. Bad breath usually originates from one of two sources, namely through certain foods that we eat or by bacteria in our mouths that feed on left over food particles. We eat a meal and then suffer with embarrassing bad breath later. The culprits – certain foods like garlic and cabbage, which contain sulfur compounds. When liberated these sulfur compounds cause breath to smell bad. This liberation of sulfur compounds occurs as foods are digested. The sulfur compounds are absorbed from the digestive system into the bloodstream and carried to the lungs. Here they are eliminated by the lungs in the air that we exhale giving us bad breath!

Ways to remove bad breath

We can remove bad breath through one option that is to avoid the foods that cause bad breath such as cabbage and onions. Alternatively, you can use one of several new products on the market, which attack and neutralize the sulfur compounds while they are in the blood. Bacteria feed on bits of food left on teeth after meals. Ungrateful guests, these bacteria create volatile sulfur compounds as a result of their feasting. These volatile sulfur compounds give breath its foul odor. Oxygen is fatal to many of these bacteria. To escape, these bacteria hide in places where oxygen cannot reach – under plaque and food debris, in the spaces between the teeth and gums, and in the deep crevices of the tongue.

Saliva and other symptoms

Dieting, fasting, or talking for long periods of time reduce saliva flow and contribute to bad breath. Certain medications, alcohol consumption, and breathing through the nose during exercise also dry the mouth contributing to the problem. Saliva flow increases when we eat or drink. If you are dieting, fasting, or talking for long periods drink water to stimulate saliva flow and moisten your mouth. The water will also wash away food and bacteria that contribute to bad breath. Placing a drop of lemon juice on the tip of your tongue or chewing sugarless gum also stimulates saliva flow. Other symptoms associated with periodontal disease includes, Swollen or bleeding gums, tender gums, Loosening and shifting teeth, Sensitive teeth and pain while chewing.

Bad breath treatment

Editor — Tue, 31 May 2011 07:30:04 +0000

Most adults suffer from bad breath intermittently, although it may affect up to a quarter of adults on a regular basis. Bad breath is usually brought on by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. However, there are several other possible causes that affect the airways, esophagus and stomach that can also lead to bad breath. In rare cases, bad breath can be a sign of a significant general health problem, so it should not be ignored. However, the usual cause is oral, which can often be treated to resolve the problem.

Treatment of bad breath a trauma

In the past, bad breath was often considered to be an incurable affliction. However, in recent years it has become increasingly evident that bad breath is usually treatable once a proper diagnosis is made. The main problem is to know whether we have it or not, because we are poor judges of our own breath odor. Some people suffer from bad breath without knowing it, while others build up exaggerated fears about breath odor even though they do not have it. The best way to find out whether we have bad breath is to ask for someone else's opinion. If we don't ask, other people are unlikely to tell us. And since bad breath can sometimes – fortunately rarely – be a sign of a significant general health problem, we should not be reluctant to tell people dear to us that they have a bad breath problem.

Possibility of treatment of bad breath

As bad breath is almost always caused by a problem in the mouth, it is helpful to visit a dentist. One should not try to mask the odor before the visit as it needs to be as typical as possible. If there is any dental treatment required eliminating disease or avoiding food stagnation areas, this will be carried out. If no oral cause can be identified by the dentist, it may be necessary to attend a clinic that specializes in breath odors, or to visit other health professionals. Some people become excessively concerned about bad breath, in which case a psychological professional can help put what may in reality be a minor problem into perspective.

Diabetes bad breath

Editor — Fri, 08 Apr 2011 05:45:15 +0000

In this modern civilized world, everyone gives much importance to cleanliness, perfection and fragrance in everything. Bad or offensive breath i.e., Halitosis in medical terminology hinders this going on trend. Bad breath is a social and cosmetic related sensitive problem which makes persons avoids close relationship and gatherings. It is regularly noted when others turn when we speak or when they complain, and not by self-identification, since we get used to persistent odors. Generally, smell can reflect the quality of the substance. One can notice the fragrance of flowers, smell ripe fruits, but they later turn to putrid smell when they decompose. These are all due to bacterial or fungal or yeast action on the flowers and fruits. Similarly, everyone has their own individual odor due to their normal secretions. People are smellier typically due to abnormal secretions or ulcer or necrosis or decompositions or decayed foods in the holes of the teeth, infection in sinuses or tonsils, etc. Frequently, moist places act as bacterial or fungal or yeast harbors. So the mouth defenses first due to its moisture.

Pathology

Habitually, our body secretions give protection by forming a slimy covering. It protects us from acidic things, bacterial invasion, abrasions, etc. Saliva is also one of the protective secretions, which is absolutely necessary to neutralize the food, to clean the mouth and to remove particles that may cause odor. The odor occurs due to the action of bacteria and chemical changes that take place in our body due to composition differences or decompositions. Normally, the odors differ in intensity according to the site and type of infection and substances which get putrefied.

Causes

The anaerobic bacteria digest the food particles, producing sulphur compounds which give the offensiveness. Sulphur compounds are nutrients which help our body metabolism. These are present in all fruits, vegetables, etc. Cabbage has its peculiar odor from its presence of sulphur compounds. Usually these offensive sulphur compounds get absorbed during digestion and enter the bloodstream. Blood, while getting oxygenation in the lung, expels or spreads this smell during exhalation. Likewise, blood spreads the same through sweat and urine. This may be due to a generalized reason or due to a local pathology. Most of the time, offensive breath originates from the mouth, due to the action of anaerobic bacteria. But it may also be from sinuses, nose, lungs, stomach, liver and blood circulation.

Bad Breath Symptom -

Editor — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 00:30:16 +0000

What is Bad Breath?

Bad Breath or Halitosis is the unpleasant odour typically caused by oral dryness, stress, hunger or certain items like garlic and onions or smoking and poor oral care.

Symptoms of Bad Breath -

White or Yellow Film on the tongue, Post Nasal Drainage, White Nodules on the Tonsils, Dry Mouth and Bitter, Sour or Metallic Tastes are some of the common symptoms.

1. One of the most common symptoms, the film forms due to nasal mucous and bacteria accumulation on the tongue especially the backside. Removing it is not the complete solution as these bacteria are found in the entire mouth and the saliva. Longer or larger taste buds (also called papillae) in some people traps more bacteria. People suffering from post nasal (mucous) drainage tend to have these films on the tongue.

2. Post Nasal Drainage causes due to sinus and allergies, where a thick mucous drains down the throat from sinus or nasal areas, that typically contains bacteria and proteins. These proteins break down into amino acids that foster the bacterial growth and the mucous also protect the bacteria from oxygen resulting in the bacteria causing halitosis. This causes the person to clear his throat often. Hydro Pulse sinus irrigator and Breathe-Ease XL saline powder help in reducing the drainage.

3. Tonsils secrete white 'smelly' nodules that usually go unnoticed as they are swallowed, but are noticed only when they get dislodged. They may be of 1mm-4mm in size and can be noticed only when placed at the entrance of nostrils. Removing the tonsils themselves would not be solution in many cases.

4. Dry mouth or Xerostomia is one of the main causes of halitosis caused due to ageing, medications, insufficient fluid intake. Dry mouth causes concentration of bacteria in the saliva that readily evaporate resulting in stronger bad breath. It also causes the alteration of acid / base balance in the mouth fostering bacterial growth. Less saliva causes accumulation of more bacteria and cellular debris.

5. Bad tastes like bitter, sour or even metallic tastes in the mouth are caused due to drainage in the sinus, medications dry mouth, dental infections or oral bacteria. Dry mouth is the main cause of bad tastes. However, not all causes of bad tastes produce bad breath, so bad tastes as a symptom may be misleading at times.

Wisdom teeth bad breath

Editor — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 08:45:10 +0000

Wisdom teeth are also known as third molars are the last teeth to erupt. This occurs generally between the ages of seventeen and twenty five. There remains a great deal of disagreement regarding whether or not these teeth need to be removed. It is usually suggested that teeth that remain completely buried or un-erupted in a normal position are unlikely to cause harm. Nevertheless, if these impacted teeth are in an abnormal position their potential for harm should be assessed. A tooth becomes impacted cause of lack of space in the dental arch and its eruption is therefore prevented by gum, bone, another tooth or all three.

Some good reasons of Removing a Wisdom Tooth

Wisdom teeth can be hard to access with the toothbrush or floss. Over time, the accretion of bacteria, sugars and acids may cause a cavity to form in the tooth. If it is not restored with a filling, the cavity may extend and destroy more tooth structure causing severe consequences to the tooth and surrounding supportive structures. Due to the obscurity of keeping these teeth clean with your daily home care, bacteria and food debris remaining on the wisdom teeth may present a foul smell-causing bad breath. A wisdom tooth that is at rest under the gums in a horizontal position may exert pressure to the surrounding teeth, causing crowding and crooked teeth. This also may happen if there is not enough space in the mouth for the wisdom tooth. This can warrant braces to repair the damage. A wisdom tooth that is at a standstill under the gums may become irritated. The gum tissue, that deceit over the tooth may harbor food debris and bacteria that gets trapped under the gum, resulting in an infection in the gums.

Some bad effects of Removing the Wisdom Teeth

Depending on the size shape and location of the tooth, removal can vary from a simple extraction to a more complex extraction. With a simple extraction, there is generally little swelling, bruising and/or bleeding. More difficult extraction will require special treatment which may result in more bruising, swelling and bleeding. Nevertheless, the dental professional will provide you with post treatment instructions to minimize these side effects. The longer you stay and the older you get, there is the potential for more problems to occur. This is for the reason that as you get older, the bone surrounding the tooth becomes denser, making the tooth more difficult to remove. The healing process might also be slower.

Bad breath problems

Editor — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 20:29:56 +0000

Bad breath is the common name for the medical condition known as halitosis. There are many different things that can cause halitosis like it can be caused from not brushing your teeth to certain medical conditions. Sometimes, a person's bad breath can blow you away – and he or she may not realize there's a problem. There are tactful ways of letting a person know that he or she has bad breath. You could offer mints or sugarless gum without having to say anything.

Causes of bad breath

Here are three common causes of bad breath:

1. Foods and drinks, such as garlic, onions, cheese, orange juice, and soda
2. Poor dental hygiene, meaning you don't brush and floss as you should
3. Smoking and other tobacco use

Poor oral hygiene leads to bad breath because when you leave food particles in you mouth, these pieces of food can rot and start to smell. The food particles may begin to collect bacteria, which can be smelly, too. Plus, by not brushing your teeth regularly, plaque (a sticky, colorless film) builds up on your teeth. Plaque is a great place for bacteria to live and yet another reason why breath can turn foul.

Prevention of bad breathe

One should not smoke or use tobacco products, of course. And take care of your mouth by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. One should brush the tongue, too, because bacteria can grow there. One should always do flossing once a day helps get rid of particles wedged between your teeth. Also, one should visit the dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings. The way a person's breath smells can be a clue to what's wrong. For instance, if someone has uncontrolled diabetes, his or her breath might smell like acetone. If one has bad breath all the time and the reason can't be determined by your dentist, he or she may refer you to a doctor to make sure there is no other medical condition that could be causing it. Sometimes sinus problems, and rarely liver or kidney problems, can cause bad breath. Usually, there is a less complicated reason for a kid's bad breath like what one had for the lunch.

Bad breath help

Editor — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 01:00:20 +0000

Bad breath can extremely be embarrassing for anybody socializing with people. When you've been a little too close to someone with bad breath for your own comfort it is much more embarrassing. Trying to avoid breathing bad too deeply when near a loved one is especially is uncomfortable. The morning is perhaps the most normal time to notice bad breath. It's a common problem and you may have heard it referred to as morning breath. Most of the time bad breath originates especially in the mouth. Bacteria in our mouth cause it. This bacterium is breaking down food debris, which creates by-products called volatile sulfur compounds, which emit a smell similar to rotten eggs. Because this bacteria needs an environment free of oxygen, they will live in areas that are difficult to reach-such as pockets around teeth; the grooves in the tongue and especially on the back of the tongue.

Treatment of bad breath

The first step in cleansing is debridement meaning scraping of the tongue! Due to the soft, uneven, tufted surface of the tongue using a toothbrush for this purpose is next to useless. To prove this point brush your tongue and then follow up by scrapping your tongue with a tongue scraper and notice the remaining material lift by the brush that speaks volumes about its inefficiency. The tongue scrapper much is somewhat flexible to follow the contours of the tongue yet rippled, ridges or rake-like in profile to do a proper job. Several passes of this instrument scarped lightly over the tongue twice a day will effectively remove the majority of evil-smelling debris, food, and bacterial residue. Most over the counter products do not eliminate bad breath. They only hide it temporarily. Most mouthwashes contain alcohol which dries and damages soft oral tissue and ultimately leads to even faster formation of odor causing bacteria and gum tissue damage which makes bad breath worse ADA reports that any mouth rinses containing more than twenty-five percent alcohol can increase the risk of oral and pharyngeal caner by about fifty percent.

Tea helps in fighting with the bad breath

Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulphur compounds, like hydrogen sulphide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets. The polyphenols found in tea include chemicals called catechins and the aflavins. Catechins are found in both green and black teas, while the aflavins are found predominantly in black tea.

Diet bad breath

Editor — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 14:45:04 +0000

Bad breath can enormously be embarrassing. At this stage one always try to avoid breathing too deeply near the social gathering or particularly near a loved one. The morning is perhaps the most normal time to notice the bad breath. It is a major and a universal problem and one may have heard it to be referred as morning breath. Although, it is not very easy to notice when you have bad breath and as one can imagine people are not going to be too forthcoming to tell. Sadly, while we try and get our body in shape on a low carb diet, our breath and general body odor is likely to suffer big time. This is because the body producing molecules referred to as ketones. They are used to fuel parts of the body that would normally be fuelled by simple carbohydrates, such as glucose.

Remedies to the diet bad breath

As one probably knows, those ketones can be a problem for our breath, our general body odor and lastly for anyone that dares to venture too close. If you're following one of the better known low carb diet plans, there's no getting away from the fact that at some stage you're going to be producing ketones. One can't stop the ketones from being produced but you can attempt to neutralize the bad smell. It is found that mint is the most effective. One should use mint mouth spray and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Sadly though, no amount of brushing, deodorant or mouth sprays will really help for any length of time. This is because these are external hygiene measures, and the real problem is that ketones are produced internally.

Conclusion

Some odors can be eliminated either permanently or temporarily whenever one brush immediately after a meal. The main culprit in bad breath is a soft, stick film of living and dead bacteria that clings to your teeth and gums. That particular film is called plaque. At any time, there are 50 trillion of these microscopic organisms loitering in your mouth. They sit in every dark corner, eating each morsel of food that passes your lips, collecting little smells, and producing little odors of their own. As one exhales, the bacteria exhale. So one should brush away the plaque after each meal and get rid of some of the breath problem.

Bad breath and tonsils

Editor — Sun, 24 Jan 2010 21:45:02 +0000

Tonsils are caused by an accumulation of sulfur producing bacteria and debris that become lodged in the tonsils. This debris putrefies in the back of your throat, and collects in the tonsil crypts. When this debris combines with the Volatile Sulfur Compounds produced by the anaerobic bacteria beneath the surface of your tongue, along with the tonsil it can create really bad breath. Tonsil is a small mass of tissues at the back of the throat. This is a very common observation we see in halitosis sufferers. It is caused by the accumulation of bacteria and nasal mucous, and tends to be heaviest in the posterior regions of the tongue.

Suggestions to the sufferers

The removal of this film typically does not completely eliminate halitosis for most patients. The reason for this is that the anaerobic bacteria that produce halitosis odors are found through out the entire mouth and in the saliva. If you have longer or larger taste buds, then you will have a greater potential to trap bacteria in the tongue's papillae. If you have heavy amounts of these yellow or white films there is a good chance you may have halitosis. The first and simplest thing we recommend patients do is be sure that they are consuming at least the recommended daily allowance of water which is eight glasses of water per day. Chewing sugarless gum also helps to increase salivary flow while chewing. Despite numerous products claiming they can eliminate or significantly improve dry mouth conditions, we have only found one product so far that significantly helps the problem.

Dry mouth

Dry mouth is a familiar symptom with people suffering from halitosis, and it is one of the main causes of halitosis. Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, causes a number of changes to occur in the mouth. First of all the bacteria become more concentrated in the saliva, and they tend to volatilize or evaporate more readily into the air. When this occurs, bad breath will be stronger and more noticeable at greater distances. Some common medications that can cause drying of the mouth are allergy medications, anti-depressives, blood pressure medications, and diuretics just to name a few. Coffee is considered a diuretic. Some less common causes are radiation treatment to the head and neck areas, patients suffering from Sjogrens Syndrome, diabetes, and other autoimmune diseases.

Chronic bad breath

Editor — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 20:30:08 +0000

Halitosis is most often caused by the breakdown of food particles by bacteria that inhabit our mouths. These bacteria are often found under plaque, in the spaces between teeth and gums and in the deeper crevices on your tongue. As the bacteria feed on food debris, they produce a byproduct called volatile sulfur compounds, which includes gases such as hydrogen sulfide which often smells like rotten eggs. Bad breath is also associated with periodontal disease. Pockets are formed in the gums around teeth, and these begin to widen, and break down adjacent gum tissue. The deeper pockets get, the more they capture food, and provide even more places for bacteria to hide. This becomes a vicious cycle as the bacteria grow in ever-increasing pockets, which then produce more and more VSC.

Role of the dentists and other health professionals

Dentists and other health professionals use gas measurement devices called heliometers to determine the quantities of these gases, and to determine where they are coming from. With a combination of professional dental help and special hygiene routines, most cases of halitosis can be successfully treated. After ruling out the mouth, the tongue and infected teeth, the next area to investigate is the nose and the nasal passages. If a person is suffering from sinusitis or another bacterial infection, a blockage of the airway or dry nasal mucous it can lead to bad breath. To discern whether the odor is coming from the mouth or the nose will take the efforts of a dentist or a very good friend.

Important habits to be developed for having a good breath

If the patient breathes our through their nose and the odor is similar to that exiting the mouth, the nose is most likely the culprit. In this case an ear, nose and throat doctor should be contacted for further investigation of the problem. A child may have a foreign object lodged in the nasal passages and that can result in a very bad odor. A dry mouth which can be caused by medications or stress can cause bad breath. If this is the cause some chewing gum to get the juices flowing again should remedy the situation. Flossing is a very important habit to develop. It has been shown that people who make a habit of flossing have cleaner, more pleasant smelling mouths. The floss removes the buildup of bacteria from between the teeth. A Bacterium is lodged in the mouth are a very common source of mouth odor.

Very bad breath

Editor — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 05:00:15 +0000

Bad breath is a very common problem and there are many dissimilar causes. The smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums generally cause persistent bad breath. However, strong foods like garlic and onions can append to the problem. Smoking is also one of the main reasons of bad breath, along with certain illnesses such as nasal and stomach conditions. Bits of food, that gets wedged between the teeth and on the tongue rots and sometimes causes an unpleasant smell. So correct and regular brushing is very significant to keep your breath smelling fresh. The bacteria on the teeth and gums also form the basis of the gum disease and dental decay. If one goes to the dentist regularly this only does not help to prevent bad breath but one should also let the dentist look for and treat these problems.

Other causes of very bad breath

Bad breath can also be caused by several medical problems. Dry mouth is a situation that affects the flow of saliva. This causes bacteria to make up in the mouth and this leads to bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by a little medicine, salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through the mouth instead of the nose. Older people may fabricate less saliva, causing further problems. If one suffers from dry mouth, the dentist may be able to recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product. Or the dentist may be able to recommend other ways of dealing with the problem.

Medical conditions that is the cause of bad breath

Apart from above mentioned causes there are other medical conditions also that cause bad breath include infections in the throat, nose or lungs, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes, or liver or kidney problems. Tobacco also can form one of the reasons of its own form of bad breath. The only solution left in this case is to stop smoking. This not only hampers your body as well as making your breath smell, smoking causes staining, causes loss of taste and irritates the gums. People who smoke are more prone to suffer from gum disease and also have a greater risk of developing cancer of the mouth, lung cancer and heart disease. One should ask and go for the check to the dentist, pharmacist or practice nurse for help in quitting.

Bad breathe bible

Editor — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 07:30:05 +0000

Bad breath is caused by Anaerobic Sulfur 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 humans in 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 the Amino Acids are dense with sulfur. When these beneficial bacteria come into contact with these compounds, the odorous and lousy-tasting sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat, as Hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These problem compounds are often referred to as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), where volatile means Vaporous and Effervescent, two adjectives that accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly.

High Protein Foods

The bad breath bacteria love those proteins, and certain foods are packed with them. Milk and Cheese and most other dairy products are high protein foods. Since your system cannot digest them properly, they are available to the bacteria for an extended period of time. A recent research article from the Los Angeles Times on lactose intolerance showed that nearly 67% of all Americans could 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 are high in proteins. As many people eat a high fish diet, logically they make the problem worse. Coffee with caffeine contains high levels of acids that cause the bacteria to reproduce more rapidly and create a bitter taste for many people. Coffee drinking was one of the problems that my patients used to have. After starting my treatment, they have been able to go back to coffee drinking without any bitter tastes afterward.

Dry Mouth

Although some cases of dry mouth are naturally occurring, most cases are caused by one of these factors; prescription medications antihistamines, adult beverages, and mouthwashes with alcohol in them. When your mouth is dryer, you have less Saliva. Saliva naturally contains Oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh. These bacteria are anaerobic, which 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 more of these odorous and sour/bitter compounds.

Bad breath sinus

Editor — Fri, 22 May 2009 00:30:02 +0000

Sinus conditions can have an effect on the quality of a person's breath. Upper respiratory infections and allergies can both promote the flow of postnasal drip onto the back portion of a person's tongue by way of an opening in the area of a person's soft palate. This discharge often has a foul taste and smell. What are worse, oral bacteria will feed upon this discharge and create their own smelly waste products, thus adding to the problems the person is having with bad breath. As a compounding factor, people with sinus conditions will often have stuffed up noses and therefore will have a need to breathe through their mouth. The drying effect of mouth breathing can create an environment that promotes bad breath. Sinus sufferers are also likely to be taking antihistamines, a type of medicine that is known to promote mouth dryness.

Contents of sinus bad breath

As it is already known that proteins contain amino acids, which in turn contain sulfur compounds. When a person has a post nasal drip, mucus drains and coats the back of the tongue and throat, exactly where bacteria live. Since mucus is made up of interlinked strands of protein, the bacteria have a field day, breaking down these proteins into odorous and sour tasting sulfur type compounds. Strong Antihistamines don't help, because the drying effect of the antihistamines also creates a problem. The only method of ending the odor and taste are to use Oxyd-VIII based oral products.

Conclusion

Many of the patients all over the world have got rid of the bad breath through sinus surgery. First of all, these anaerobic bacteria cannot live in the sinuses. When someone has a sinus infection, one of the common symptoms is 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 the problem from any protein source, including mucous, phlegm, etc, which drain down the back of your throat into the area where these bacteria live.

Stop bad breath

Editor — Thu, 19 Mar 2009 05:18:49 +0000

There are many a people all over the world suffering from the universal disease of bad breath. Bad breath is responsible for the embarrassment and destroys relationships with family and friends. It may flatten your confidence and self esteem and may even cause severe depression. If you keep teeth, tongue, and mouth clean, you will not suffer from the problem of bad breath. You should take all care in cleaning your teeth by using proper toothbrush and adopting correct brushing technique. We should also follow the good oral hygiene rules.

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath may be due to a number of reasons such as bad dental hygiene, bacteria in mouth, infection, diabetes, drugs, gum disease, heavy metal accumulation, liver disease, smoking, sulfur, and tooth decay. Bad breath is due to anaerobic bacteria that live within the surface of the tongue and throat, that produce smelly sulfur compounds when they come in contact with proteins, which cause bad breath. Plaque on the tongue can cause bad breath where bacteria can grow. If you do not clean your mouth after consuming alcoholic drinks, tobacco chewing, cigarette smoking, and foods like onions, garlic, etc. it can contribute to bad breadth. A deficiency of vitamin B and/or zinc may also become the cause of your bad breath.

Cures for bad breath

One should brush your teeth in the morning, in the evening, and after every meal, especially after consuming milk products, fish and meat. One should also brush your tongue along with your teeth regularly. We should always wash the tongue with baking soda dissolved in warm water to reduce the acidity in your mouth making a less-friendly environment for the bacteria to grow. One should also brush and floss teeth regularly. Clean and replace your toothbrush regularly. One should also avoid mouthwashes with dyes and alcohol. Mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorine dioxide, sodium chlorite or zinc may serve as an antibacterial agent, which can control the number of anaerobic bacteria in mouth. Parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, cardamom seeds, cinnamon bark, clove, fennel or anise seeds are great breath fresheners. One should duly chew any of the herbs slowly and allow the saliva to build up in your mouth. One should always rinse your mouth before sleeping with a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon added. The most important thing one should take care of is to drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Throat bad breath

Editor — Thu, 01 Jan 2009 18:07:50 +0000

Bad breath is mainly bothersome, as people rarely know they have it unless they are told of it. Yet it can spoil one's social and even economic life. And mouthwashes are not always helpful. When bacteria stagnate, or remain in one place, they get multiplied and give off toxins and odors. So the prevention is to avoid having bacteria build up in one spot. In the nose this means salt-water nose spray or Pulsating Nasal Irrigation if you have crusts and other sources of odor. For the throat, check the teeth. It is strongly recommend eating yogurt in order to bring in the good bacteria that make the mouth healthier. If the gums are red and swollen, better brushing and flossing is a must. An ordinary cause of breath problems are the deep holes in the tonsils, known as crypts. These holes are supposed to be there, they provide areas where the good white cells of the body can fight the bad bacteria.

Steps to overcome the throat bad breath

Then the dead bacteria and dead white cells are extruded and swallowed. Sometimes the holes are too wide or crooked and the material gets to accumulate and cause odor. Here, pulsatile throat irrigation can be very effective because the pulsation removes the dead material. The mouth may be extra dry for lack of fluids. Try increasing fluid intake. Indigestion may be a factor. An excellent remedy is to take protelytic enzyme tablets for digestion. If you are milk intolerant, there are lactase tablets for digesting milk and milk products. If you have an acid stomach, check with your doctor about reducing excess acid with Tagamet or Zantac. It is best not to self diagnose on hyperacidity in the stomach.

Conclusion

The mouth wash people spend millions trying to convince every living soul that they have bad breath. As a result I see patients in consultation who don't have any unpleasant odor, they just have seen too many advertisements. So unless someone is complaining, if one does not have nasal problems, or dental disease or unusual material out of your tonsils, I would recommend doing nothing. On the other hand, my patients like to use pulsatile throat irrigation before a heavy date to be sure.

Bad breath in infants

Editor — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 17:20:07 +0000

While it's not a life-or-death problem, bad breath (halitosis) causes embarrassment and self-consciousness for many people. When certain bacteria in the mouth eat, they release airborne compounds that cause bad breath. The bacteria prefer anaerobic, or oxygen-free, conditions. One reason most of us wake up with bad breath is that our mouths have been closed and sealed off from a fresh supply of oxygen. For the same reason, you may have bad breath if you haven't talked or eaten in a while. Low salivary flow is same like that in people with Xerostomia, or dry mouth that can also be a factor. Sluggish saliva gives bacteria a chance to feed on peptides and proteins. One thing that can help prevent bad breath is acidic saliva, because the bacteria responsible for bad breath prefer alkaline saliva. So, while eating sweets is bad for your teeth, it might be good for bad breath because glucose makes saliva acidic.

Emergence of bad breath among infants

About 90% of bad breath comes from oral bacteria, but there are other causes. Tonsillitis and sinusitis are occasional culprits. On rare occasions, respiratory tract tumors can be a source. Just how often-gastrointestinal problems cause bad breath is up for question. Some experts say that the thin, tube-like esophagus that carries food from the mouth to the stomach is normally collapsed. So smelly gas from a bad stomach couldn't escape. That doesn't preclude foul-smelling belches, however. Fetor hepaticus, or liver breath, is the term for bad breath peculiar to people with cirrhosis, a kind of liver disease. If bad breath persists, the culprit may be certain foods, tobacco, a sinus infection, or gum disease.

Conclusion

If one thinks that the problem may be a sinus infection, see a doctor. And if it's gum disease, a periodontist can help recommend a course of action. Diuretics, antihistamines, and some antidepressants can cause bad breath. If one takes these drugs, keep breath mints on hand. Rinsing, flossing, and brushing your teeth, gums, inside cheeks, and hard palate can eliminate morning breath. One should use a soft-bristle toothbrush and fine, unwaxed floss. Infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS) occurs when the muscle surrounding the outlet from the stomach becomes overgrown and obstructs the passage of food into the intestines. The condition, which generally arises in the first three to five weeks of life, causes projectile vomiting. This can lead to dehydration, weight loss, and electrolyte imbalances that affect kidney function.

Stomach bad breath

Editor — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 16:01:21 +0000

Bad breath can be a result of poor dental hygiene, but it also can emanate from problems with the stomach that is why bad breathe returns shortly after brushing the teeth. Vomiting is a defensive reaction by your body to clear the digestive tract. There are a variety of causes, including overindulgence in food or alcohol; as an adverse effect of many drugs. Disorders of the stomach or intestines that result in inflammation, irritation, or distention of either organ is also a reason why there is a bad breath. Early pregnancy or, psychological disgust to a situation or food also results in bad breath. There are also many other more serious causes of vomiting, and a physician would ask you specific questions to determine the root cause of your nausea and vomiting.

Major complications in treating stomach bad breath

A major complication of vomiting is dehydration. Be sure to replace fluids with sips of clear liquids, such as water, no citrus juice, broths, or flat ginger ale. When feeling nauseous, avoid alcohol, milk products, fatty foods, and aspirin. Medications are not usually advised for vomiting. If your vomiting lasts three days without improvement, if it is recurrent, or if severe abdominal pains or severe headache accompanies it, one should always go to the health provider. Everybody has bad breath from time to time, especially first thing in the morning. You also may have bad breath when you are hungry, when you are dieting, or after eating foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, onions, or pastrami.

Source of the bad breath

The source of these compounds is bacteria in the mouth breaking down the cell wall of dead cells. These anaerobic bacteria collect and multiply mainly on the tongue. They thrive in a dry, dark environment such as under the gums, the spaces between the teeth, and the crevices of the tongue. A person's diet can cause bad breath, because certain foods can trigger a substantial increase of anaerobic bacteria that produce VSCs. Coffee, an integral part of our society, contains acids that decrease oxygenation of the mouth, which, in turn, increases bacteria production. Dairy products, the focus of a recent media blitz promoting healthy eating habits, are high in proteins that the bacteria break down to create the VSCs. Sugar containing mints and chewing gum also produce VSCs, when the anaerobic bacteria break them down. Spicy foods and onions contain sulfur byproducts that are absorbed into the blood stream, and are expelled by the lungs.

Tongue bad breath

Editor — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:47:39 +0000

The tongue's surface is the main breeding ground for harmful bacteria that attack teeth & gums producing a rotten egg – smelling gases or dragon mouth. Tongue cleaning is necessary, in addition to brushing, for a thorough dislodging of the plaque and mucus. In clinical tests, tongue cleaning is proven to have reduced odors and bacteria by seventy five percent. Tongue scraping with a Tongue Cleaner is a boon for those suffering from coated tongue. Effective tongue cleaning reduces coating on the tongue by as much as forty percent. The best part is that a tongue cleaner is so easy and fun to use. A myth widely believed is that the stomach is the root cause of bad breath. Bad breath from the stomach is so rare that of a thousand people treated for bad breath not a single case was caused by stomach problems. Tooth brushing and mouthwashes do nothing to remove oral debris on the tongue, the root cause of bad breath. At best they mask bad breath.

Tongue- combating bad breath

Tongue cleaning is by far the most effective way of combating bad breath. Recently, there have been three world meets on bad breath wherein a lot of emphasis has been given to tongue cleaning as a daily adjunct to routine oral hygiene. A tongue cleaner removes more mucous, bacteria and debris from the tongue than anything else and with terrific ease and efficiency. This has been proved through the experience of oriental civilizations that have used tongue cleaners for centuries to have the lowest incidence of tongue diseases & disorders. Surprisingly, it may be your tongue that's causing embarrassing bad breath. People go through great effort to produce a sparkling set of teeth, but they ignore the large organ in between which is literally crawling with odor producing germs.
Bacteria- cause of bad breath

Bacteria responsible for bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth decay are removed from teeth and gums by normal brushing and flossing. For smart bacteria, however, the tongue provides a perfect hiding place. Here bacteria live in a virtual compost heap of saliva, protein, and putrefied food remains. Unfortunately for us, bacteria feast on this compost to produce the volatile sulfur particles responsible for foul breath. Many people brush their tongue in hopes of removing bacteria. This is generally not very helpful and tends to just push bacteria further into the tongue. To effectively remove these offending bacteria, consider one of several commercially available tongue cleaners. These simple devices, usually made of plastic or stainless steel, allow you to quickly remove bacteria, protein, and food debris from the tongue producing fresher, cleaner breath.

Bad breath cures

Editor — Fri, 25 Apr 2008 09:46:08 +0000

Since the most common cause of bad breath is the odorous waste product created by anaerobic oral bacteria, the most important step a person can take toward improving the quality of their breath is to clean their mouth in a manner that helps to minimize the amount of food available for these bacteria, minimize the total number of these bacteria that exist, minimize the availability of the types of environments in which these bacteria prefer to live, make any environment in which these bacteria do live less hospitable.

Minimizing the food supply for bacteria that cause bad breath

The volatile sulfur compounds that cause bad breath are created as a waste product by anaerobic oral bacteria when they digest proteins. This would imply that those persons who maintain a vegetarian diet would most likely have fewer chronic breath problems than those people who have diets that are high in protein rich foods such as meat. It is important for a person to clean their mouth thoroughly after eating, and especially after eating foods that are high in protein content. This is because even after we have finished meal minute particles of food still remain in our mouth. Much of this food debris ends up lodged between our teeth and incorporated into the coating found on the posterior part of our tongue. Since these are precisely the same locations in which the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath live, if a person does not clean their mouth thoroughly a food supply is provided for these bacteria over an extended period of time.

Take proper care of the teethes

Of the oral bacteria that create the waste products that are responsible for causing bad breath live in the dental plaque that accumulates on and around a person's teeth, both at and below the gum line. A thorough brushing and flossing technique is needed in order to remove this plaque and also remove any food debris that is left in the person's mouth after eating that could be used as a food supply by these bacteria. Take notice of the fact that we have used the term brushing and flossing here. It is not realistic to think that a mouth odor emanating from the areas around the teeth can be diminished unless flossing is an integral part of a person's daily cleaning routine.

Bad breath in toddlers

Editor — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 11:56:29 +0000

Healthy children do sometimes have bad breath. If the smell disappears after brushing his teeth or rinsing his mouth, it's normal. Also, keep in mind that what seems like bad breath to you may not be offensive to others. That is said to be normal bacteria living in the mouth and interacting with leftover food particles could cause true breath odor in a healthy child. The food particles can be between the teeth, at the gum line, on the tongue, or on the surface of the tonsils at the back of your child's throat. Bacteria that react to saliva also can cause bad breath, especially if left undisturbed in the mouth for a period of time. This is one reason we all have morning breath. After a long night's sleep, the reaction between the substances in our mouth has caused an odor, which remains until we brush or rinse it away.

Recommendations

The American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry recommends waiting until your child is at least 2 to use fluoridated toothpaste, and then no more than a pea-size amount, That's because ingesting fluoride can cause white spots on your child's teeth when he gets older. Also, most children who live in areas with fluoridated water will get more than enough fluoride from drinking tap water or from eating food cooked in tap water. If you want to use toothpaste, you can try a mild-tasting children's formula without fluoride, or even baking soda. Poor dental hygiene with tartar buildup, gingivitis, or a dental abscess could also cause bad breath. Ask his pediatrician to inspect his teeth and gums. If the pediatrician finds any problems, I would recommend an evaluation by a pediatric dentist.

Things to be done at first

If the bad breath persists, mention your concerns to his pediatrician, who can rule out other causes. The first thing the doctor will probably check is your toddler's nose, to see whether your child has a foreign body, such as a piece of food or small toy, lodged in one of his nostrils. The only symptom may be breath odor or persistent nasal discharge. A sinus infection or respiratory infection such as bronchitis can also cause bad breath. The odor may be caused by inflammation of the pharynx or of the tonsils. Even if the tonsils aren't inflamed, they may have food and debris trapped in their many crevices. Your child's doctor can check for this debris, which is usually white, during a throat exam. If this is the problem, it will resolve itself once the debris is removed. Lastly, some children with gastro esophageal reflux, or regurgitation of their food, have a foul breath odor. However, if this were the culprit your toddler would almost certainly be experiencing other symptoms, such as discomfort after eating.

Natural cures for bad breath

Editor — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 15:05:39 +0000

Fixing bad breath depends on what is causing it actually. In most percent of the cases, it is cause of something in the mouth that creates bad breath. Most regularly, it is nothing more serious than a dirty mouth. Plaque, which is the nearly invisible film of bacteria that is constantly forming in the mouth, is often responsible for bad breath. Other of the dental culprits includes cavities and gum disease. Infrequently, bad breath is due to something in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract or to a systemic infection. Though, eating a garlicky meal is one of the most common causes. The strong odors of foods such as garlic, onions, and alcohol are carried through the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs, which are also the cause of bad breath. Another big loser when it comes to bad breath is tobacco. In addition, some health problems, such as sinus infections or diabetes also can cause bad breath in humans.

Natural ways to cure badly breathe

Other natural ways to cure the bad breath can be as follows. A person should keep their mouth clean. It means a thorough brushing twice a day and flossing them regularly. Foods and bacteria that are trapped between the teeth and at the gum line are only being removed with the help of floss. If they are left to linger the bad breath is imminent. One should always clean the tongue along with the brushing and flossing. Bacteria left on the tongue also contribute to less-than-fresh breath. Be sure enough to brush the tongue after you brush your teeth. One should always wet the whistle as a dry mouth can quickly cause bad breath. Saliva helps to clean the mouth as it has a natural antibacterial action, and it washes away food particles. That awful morning breath may result in reducing saliva flow at night.

Other natural ways to cure badly breathe

One should always rinse the mouth after brushing. If nothing else can be done then at least one should rinse the mouth with plain water after eating. Swishing the water around the mouth may help to remove some of the food particles left in the mouth after a meal and prevent bad breath from setting in. one should always munch on parsley. Just munching on the parsley or spearmint won't cure bad breath, but the scent of the herb itself can help to temporarily cover up offending oral odor. Always eat the products that smell sweet. Foods that help fight plaque will also help fight bad breath. One should opt for a bit of low-fat cheese if you want something to snack on.

Reflux bad breath

Editor — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:17:31 +0000

Reflux bad breath can be a manifestation of chronic gastro esophageal reflux disease. It is important to review the medications you are taking and your current diet in addition to meticulous oral hygiene. Chronic lung disease, liver failure, uremia and diabetic ketoacidosis can all be associated with bad breath. If the bad breath is mostly secondary to gastro esophageal reflux it should always respond to medical therapy with histamine receptor antagonists or proton pump inhibitors. It is also important to adhere to anti-reflux measures. The lifestyle modifications that are considered helpful in patients with hiatal hernia and gastro esophageal reflux are called anti-reflux measures. Foods that can decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure should be avoided. Those foods include: coffee, tea, cola beverages, citrus drinks, fatty foods, spicy foods, onions, peppermint and chocolate.

Possible medications

Medications such as aspirin or non-steroidal inflammatory agents can be irritating to the stomach or esophagus. Other medications that decrease lower esophageal sphincter pressure are theophylline and albuterol and calcium channel blockers. It is important for you to review the list of your medications with your doctor. Other helpful lifestyle changes includes elevating the head of your bed on four to six inch cinderblocks or using a wedge under the mattress; not eating at least three to four hours before bedtime. The response is being provided for general informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice or consultation. One should always check with their personal physician when you have a question pertaining to your health.

Conclusion

Most adults suffer from bad breath occasionally, although it may affect up to a quarter of adults on a regular basis. Bad breath is usually brought on by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. However, there are several other possible causes that affect the airways, esophagus and stomach that can also lead to bad breath. In rare cases, bad breath can be a sign of a significant general health problem, so it should not be ignored. However, the usual cause is oral, which can often be treated to resolve the problem.

Peroxide bad breath

Editor — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 05:21:40 +0000

Transient bad breath is a very familiar temporary condition caused by such things as oral dryness, stress, hunger, eating certain foods such as garlic and onions, smoking, and poor oral hygiene. Morning breath is a typical example of transient bad breath. It can negatively impact the individual's personal and business relationships, leading to poor self-esteem and increased stress. This condition is usually caused by persistent overpopulation of certain types of oral bacteria, primarily streptococcus mutans, and requires specialized treatment. Xerostomia will increase bad breath problems. Fetor hepaticus is a type of bad breath caused by chronic liver failure.

Causes

Though the causes of breath odor are not entirely understood, most unpleasant odors are known to arise from food debris trapped in the mouth which is processed by normal mouth flora. There are all over 400 types of bacteria found in the average mouth. Several dozen of these can cause trouble when allowed to flourish or are genetically disposed to overpopulate. Large quantities of these naturally-occurring bacteria are often found on the posterior of the tongue, where they are undisturbed by normal activity. The rough surface of the tongue dorsum provides an ideal habitat for anaerobic bacteria, which flourish under a continually-forming tongue coating of food debris, dead cells, and hundreds of thousands of bacteria, living and dead. Other causes of chronic bad breath may be periodontitis, helminthiasis, diabetes, kidney failure, sinusitis, tonsilloliths, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, trimethylaminuria, hormonal changes, and a wide variety of prescription drugs.

Treatment

Currently, chronic halitosis is not very well understood or even recognized as a treatable condition by most doctors and dentists, so effective treatment is difficult to find. There are a growing number of bad breath clinics responding to this endemic problem; unfortunately, most are simply outlets for one breath product or another. As with all general-purpose formulations, any one particular product may be effective for some, partly effective for a few, and not at all helpful for others. A very small number of clinics use a detailed assessment process including microbiology to determine the specific type or types of odor-causing bacteria. The specific bacteria are then controlled by individualized treatments. This procedure results in a very high success rate. Some, who take a more holistic view of the body, including naturopaths and alternative nutritionist, believe that halitosis can be cured or greatly diminished by improving the overall health of the digestive tract, especially the small and large intestines. This process usually requires a change in eating style, lifestyle, and diet.

Dry Mouth Bad Breath -

Editor — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 16:47:48 +0000

Dry Mouth as a symptom of Bad Breath -
Dry Mouth, also known as Xerostomia is a common symptom and one of the main causes of Bad Breath or Halitosis. Xerostomia is usually caused due to ageing, medications, reduction in the fluid intake, use of alcohol based mouth rinses. Medications for allergies, depression, blood pressure and diuretics also cause Xerostomia. Coffee can be called a diuretic. In some unusual cases, radiation treatment to head and neck areas, Sjogrens Syndrome, Diabetes and other auto-immune diseases may also cause this condition. Along with bad breath, Xerostomia also causes bad tastes (like bitter, sour or even metallic tastes) in the mouth. Dry mouth condition cannot be completely eliminated, however, eliminating this problem to some extent still helps in treating Halitosis effectively.

Dry Mouth – Its relationship to Bad Breath and Bad Tastes -
Saliva, an important part of oral health produces enzymes to help digestion of food, helps in keeping the acid / base balance and also supplies high oxygen levels for keeping the oral tissues healthy and fresh. In Xerostomia, there is less saliva in the mouth, meaning less oxygen creating an anaerobic environment helpful for the sulphur-producing bacterial growth. These bacteria produce sulphur resulting in bad breath and bad tastes.

In some people, 'hairy tongue' (the fibers of the tongue (called papillae) are slightly longer in these people) trap more bacteria increasing the chances of Halitosis and bad tastes.

Sometimes, the tongue becomes very dry or due to extra scraping or brushing of the tongue, the outer layer of the tongue becomes very sensitive causing dry mouth condition. Another condition, "Burning Tongue Syndrome" usually found in the elderly is also another factor causing the dry mouth.

Solution / Treatment for dry mouth condition -
Sufficient intake of fluids, especially water (at least eight glasses water has to be consumed daily) is necessary. These days many products claim that they can eliminate the Halitosis problem, but very few are actually effective. Sugarless gums can be chewed to increase the salivary flow in the mouth. Avoiding dry mouth aids, oral products, coffee, smoking, citrus juices also helps. There are medications available for stimulating the salivary glands to produce oxygen rich saliva to treat Xerostomia.

Fight bad breath

Editor — Thu, 22 Nov 2007 06:25:49 +0000

Many human beings have bad breath now and again. It is a constant or recurring case of bad breath that can offend friends and loved ones and become a real social problem. There are several causes of bad breath and, fortunately, most of them are easily dealt with using simple natural techniques. Whatever the cause of your bad breath be the most common remedy i.e. mouthwashes is not only ineffective, it is counterproductive also. A mouthwash is a blend of flavors, a bit of dye, and too much alcohol. While the claims that mouthwashes kill the bacteria is true, it is also true that the bacteria quickly come back again and in greater force than before one would have used the mouthwash. But in addition to being ineffective, mouthwashes are also being dangerous. Too much mouthwash is irritating to the gums, the palate, the tongue, and the mucous membranes of the mouth. In a small percentage of people, who are susceptible, and those who smoke and drink, heavy use of mouthwash can cause certain types of cancer.

Other ways to fight bad breath

If one does not wish to use anything in order to freshen up the breath, one can put a few drops of peppermint oil in a glass of water and rinse. Bad breath, or halitosis, has a number of causes, the most obvious one being bad dental hygiene. If one doesn't brush your teeth regularly and well, bits of pieces of food will become lodged between your teeth and will decompose, causing a bad odor. One probably already knows that you should brush your teeth carefully twice a day, but there are some other measures you can take to fight bad breath.

Conclusion

Brushing the tongue is probably the single most effective thing you can do. In various researches, it has been shown that brushing the tongue alone is a better guard against bad breath than brushing only the teeth. Brushing both the teeth and tongue can help reduce bad breath due to poor dental hygiene almost entirely. One does not need to scrub your tongue. Just gently brush the tongue with a soft-bristled brush to wash away the microscopic bits of food that become trapped in the tiny protuberances.

Bad breath remedies

Editor — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 04:05:55 +0000

There can be many a remedies which help in getting rid of the bad breath. The remedies can be taken from any of the culture. There are remedies provided by originates of the folk culture. According to them apple cider vinegar is considered to be the helpful remedy of the getting rid of the bad breath. One just has to take a tablespoon of apple cider vinegar just before each meal. If one wishes to he or she may take it in a glass of water. This helps in aiding the digestive system. Also brushing teeth from baking soda (or a paste made with hydrogen peroxide) will also help in reducing the acidity in your mouth and make a less-friendly environment for the bacteria to grow. Most importantly water can be a best remedy for removing the bad breath. One just has to add a pinch of salt and then gargle with the same salt water. This will help to clean out bacteria, mucus and food particles on your tonsils or the back of your throat that may be causing your bad breath.

Herbal remedies

As far as herbal remedy is considered, Alfalfa tablets would be the best one which may help in eliminating the bad breath. Cloves are also a powerful antiseptic. One can make a tea by putting 3 whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in 2 cups of hot water, and steep for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Pour the tea through a fine strainer and use as a mouthwash or gargle twice a day. Lemon Suck, a lemon wedge sprinkled with salt to stop onion or garlic breath also helps in removing bad breath. Spirulina is also a very good source of chlorophyll and can be purchased either in capsule or loose form. Just start with 500 mg three times a day.

Other remedies

Peppermint or fenugreek is other good herbs to use in a tea to sooth the stomach. They are exhaled through the lungs and helps sweeten the breath. Tea tree oil is derived from the leaves of the native Australian Melaleuca alternifolia tree, which contain antiseptic compounds that make it a powerful disinfectant. One should try using toothpaste containing tea tree oil, or put a few drops of tea tree oil on your toothbrush alone, or with your regular toothpaste. It has a strong aromatic flavor.

Bad breath disease

Editor — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 04:48:13 +0000

Bad breath is a breath containing an unpleasant odor. This odor can strike periodically or may be persistent, depending on the cause. In many patients, the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth are the primary culprits of bad breath. The mouth's warm, moist conditions make an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. Some kinds of bad breath, such as morning mouth, are considered to be fairly normal, and they are usually not health concerns. The morning mouth type of bad breath occurs because the saliva that regularly washes away decaying food and odors during the daytime diminishes at night while you sleep. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead cells adhere to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. Bacteria use these cells for food and expel compounds that have a foul odor.

Symptoms

A person may not always know that they have bad breath. This phenomenon is based on the fact that odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually become accustomed to the constant flow of bad smells from the mouth. Socially, the worst symptom is simply having bad breath and not realizing it. Others notice, however, and react by recoiling at the smell as you speak.

Diagnosis

A dentist or physician may notice 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 mellitus. A urine-like smell, especially in a person who is at high risk for kidney disease, can sometimes indicate kidney failure.

Prevention

Bad breath due to dental problems can be easily prevented. Daily maintenance calls for brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals, flossing, and rinsing with mouthwashes approved by the American Dental Association. Regular visits to the dentist should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning. Drinking plenty of water every day to encourage saliva production can also combat bad breath. An occasional swish of the mouth with water can loosen food particles. Other products that keep breath fresh and prevent plaque from forming include sugar-free gum, sugarless lozenges, raw carrots and celery.

Pregnancy bad breath

Editor — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 09:17:17 +0000

Halitosis, to give bad breath its medical name, which affects many human beings, with research suggesting that 98 per cent of us suffer from it at some time in our lives. But the good news is that yet much one hate the thought of having bad breath, it is a temporary condition and one can banish it for good. Even though an initial attack may be down to something one has eaten, the actual long-term cause tends to be poor dental hygiene. The very first thing to establish is whether the problem is temporary or not. Major culprits of the temporary bad breath are onions, garlic, spicy foods, alcohol and cigarettes. Infrequently the problem can also be caused by throat or sinus infections, catarrh or even just a bad cold.

Factors that influence

In fact, any condition that makes you breathe through your mouth, rather than your nose, even if it's only for a short period, may cause bad breath because there's more chance that the salivary secretions, which act as a rinsing agent, dry up. This is exactly what happens at night because we do not eat for around eight hours, the saliva slows down and leaves us with a dry mouth. The result is the dreaded morning breath. Other factors that can influence just how sweet our breath smells are our hormones is the increase in estrogen during menstruation affects mouth odor as well as hay fever and snoring. The reason is that if we don't manage to clean our teeth probably, plaque is a thin bacterial film builds up around the teeth and gums and if not removed regularly, it can cause decay that, in turn, causes bad breath.

Conclusion

In the morning when you brush your teeth, also gently brush your tongue. This will scrape away any bacteria and will have the effect of freshening your breath as well as both the taste and smell of your mouth. Tongue scrapers are obtainable at most chemists but, alternatively, you can use a toothbrush, dipped in mouthwash for cleaning your tongue. Although statistics reveal that around 85 per cent of cases of halitosis are related to the mouth, if you've suffered with bad breath for any length of time it's important to check out the cause, rather than simply masking it with mouthwashes and mints. Although rare, bad breath can be a sign of problems with the sinus, stomach, kidneys, liver or lungs. Which is why your first stop should be your dentist – if only for reassurance or simply to make sure that you treat the root of the problem, rather than just the cause.

Combat Bad Breath

Editor — Wed, 26 Sep 2007 04:07:13 +0000

Many people are extremely embarrassed of their bad breath. Some people suffer from bad breath worse than others. No matter how many times they brush their teeth or gargle mouth wash their bad breath doesn't seem to go away. If you no longer want to be embarrassed by your bad breath and want to stop it immediately, here are some tips that will get your mouth smelling fresh and clean all day long.

Bad breath can happen for many reasons. Bad breath can even affect those that take the proper precautions. There are many people that suffer from bad breath that don't eat forbidden foods such as onion and garlic and brush and use mouth wash twice a day. Some people just have a hard time getting rid of bad breath.

Besides smell inducing foods, bad breath can occur due to two other main reasons, dry mouth and a sinus infection. Many people don't realize that a dry mouth is a big culprit in having bad breath. If you have dry mouth you can do a few things to combat it. First make sure that you hydrate yourself by drinking water during the day. If that doesn't help them either chew gum or suck on a lozenge. All three tips should help you combat your bad breath and should have your mouth smelling better in just a couple of days.

Many people that still have problems with bad breath may be suffering from a sinus infection. Many people have sinus infections that they are unaware of. If you have bad breath and have tried to get rid of it, then you should see a dentist or your physician to find out what the cause of it is.

Getting rid of bad breath

Editor — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 07:19:28 +0000

Many rumors circulate from time to time about the cause of chronic bad breath, or halitosis. One can almost rule out the theory of bad breath coming from places other than the mouth. The esophagus is collapsed normally and air can only escape in the form of the occasional burp. If your mouth and teeth are healthy you should first check the dorsum, or that area on the back of the tongue. Although the postnasal drip doesn't have an odor when it first reaches the tongue, it develops one as it sits there. To combat the source of bad breath, gargle with an effective mouthwash and then actually clean the tongue thoroughly with a tongue scraper or a toothbrush without toothpaste on it. One may find this procedure uncomfortable due to the fact that it triggers the gag reflex, but in time this subsides.

Home check up for the bad breath

After ruling out the mouth, the tongue and infected teeth, the next area is to investigate the nose and the nasal passages. If a person is suffering from sinusitis or another bacterial infection, a blockage of the airway or dry nasal mucous it can lead to bad breath. If the patient breathes our through their nose and the odor is similar to that exiting the mouth, the nose is most likely the culprit. In this case an ear, nose and throat doctor should be contacted for further investigation of the problem. A dry mouth which can be caused by medications or stress can cause bad breath. If this is the cause some chewing gum to get the juices flowing again should remedy the situation.

Conclusion

Flossing is a very important habit to develop. It has been shown that people who make a habit of flossing have cleaner, more pleasant smelling mouths. The floss removes the buildup of bacteria from between the teeth. A bacterium lodged in the mouth is a very common source of mouth odor. In short, there are many products out there to help control chronic bad breath. Chronic bad breath could be a symptom of lung infections, bronchial infections, metabolic disorders, carcinomas or biochemical disorders, however, the mouth and the nose are usually where the problem originates.

Bad breath products

Editor — Tue, 04 Sep 2007 19:46:22 +0000

Bad breath or halitosis can be a serious source of embarrassment and shame. Some people along with bad breath are not even aware that there is a problem. However, one no longer has to let it handicap or affect their social life. There is lot many products meant for getting rid of the bad breath which leaves the person embarrassing anywhere the person goes. There are as many as products meant for reducing bad breath. These products help in treating and getting rid of the bacteria and the horrible taste in the mouth. Maintaining good oral health is necessary for reducing bad breath.

Origination and treatment

Almost all bad breath originates from the mouth, mostly from the surface of the tongue, below the gum line, between the teeth and other hard to reach areas. Bad breath is not contagious and one cannot catch it from someone else. A person just has to follow some simple steps which help in treating bad breath, which includes brushing and flossing by using chlorine dioxide toothpaste. One should avoid using toothpaste which contains sodium laryl sulphate. One should also use an oral mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide and along with it one should also gargle with the same. One should always use a tongue scraper to remove any white coating there in the tongue as far as one can. Apart from these entire one should also go to the dentist regularly for the regular check ups. Above all these one should also drink lots and lots of water.

Products

There are many products to take care of the breath problem of a person. There is profresh kit which is a two minute treatment which eliminates bad odor by attacking the two underlying causes of breath odor i.e. to remove the bacteria from the back of the tongue and to eliminate the sulfur gases which is produced by the bacteria. Then there is BreathRx-Starter kits and accessories which contain an exclusive ingredient containing zinc, eucalyptus oil and thymol. It neutralizes volatile sulfur compounds which is the main or the basic cause of oral malodor. There are other products also which are meant for the removal of bad breath in a human being.

Post nasal drip bad breath

Editor — Mon, 27 Aug 2007 17:57:08 +0000

The nose can contribute to bad breath. Thick mucus discharge resulting from colds, allergies, medications, pregnancy or hormonal changes can collect on the back of the tongue. This layer of mucus provides a protective blanket under which bacteria hide. Bacteria can also break down proteins in the mucus to create volatile sulfur particles. Sometimes mucus, bacteria, and debris condense onto the surface of the tonsils forming small hard balls of material. This is known as tonsilloliths, these odorous balls of material are sometimes coughed up. Using an over the counter nasal sprays helps thin out post-nasal drip making it less useful to odor causing bacteria. Drinking water may also make mucus less viscous and therefore less likely to collect on the back of the tongue.

Causes of post nasal bad breath

The bacteria which cause bad breath and sour or bitter or metallic tastes are anaerobic sulfur-producing. Their goal in life is to break down the proteins in foods that we eat. However, under certain conditions, they will start to break down proteins in mucous and phlegm. Therefore, those people who suffer with post nasal drip, sinus problems, etc are more prone to bad breath and lousy tastes because the bacteria will start to extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids that make up these proteins. Scientifically, they love the amino acids Cysteine and Methionine, which are common to mucous and also in dairy foods. In reality, many 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 awful taste.

Conclusion

If you still have your tonsils, you may be harboring a higher number of the bacteria which can lead to an interesting and misunderstood phenomenon, called tonsilloliths. Literally, they are tonsil stones produced by the conglomeration of mucous draining down the back of the throat and volatile sulfur compounds produced by the bacteria which easily end up in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils, every time one swallows. This is because the oxygenating solution passes directly over the subjected area. It is felt that a cleansing action, which they could not otherwise get by rinsing or gargling. This is because the drops penetrate their sinuses the 'bad breath smell' from their nose is gone.