May 12, 2007
Bad Breath
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Transient bad breath is a very common temporary condition such as morning breath and can be caused by such things as oral dryness, stress, hunger, smoking, eating certain foods such as garlic or onions, or by poor oral hygiene. Transient bad breath gradually disappears on its own, or remedied by chewing gum or teeth brushing.
Chronic bad breath is a more serious and persistent condition which can negatively impact personal and business relationships and lead to poor self-esteem and increased stress.
| 'The Easy Guide to Understanding and Treating Halitosis' |
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When these bacteria (primarily streptococcus mutans which is also the primary cause of tooth decay) overpopulate, they begin to break down proteins at a very high rate, resulting in the offensive odor we call bad breath. These anaerobic sulfur producing bacteria normally live within fibers of the tongue and in the throat and can not be removed by tongue scraping, brushing or mouthwashes. As the largest quantities of these naturally-occurring bacteria reside on the back of the tongue, they are undisturbed by normal activity and therefore left to putrefy. Among many reasons, such bacterial overpopulation can occur due to many factors such as genetics, hormonal changes or medications.
Other factors which can lead to or aggravate bad breath include: dry mouth syndrome, chronic liver failure, gum disease, intestinal parasitic infections, diabetes, kidney failure, sinusitis, tonsil stones, gastroesophageal reflux disorder, dentures, cavities, throat infection, lung infection, abscessed or impacted teeth.
BAD BREATH TREATMENTS
How to get rid of bad breath can depend on the cause. The use of mints or gum can provide temporary relief from transient bad breath by masking odors. Commercial mouthwash often contains alcohol, which can worsen the problem by drying the mouth. Bad breath also may be temporarily relieved by using a hydrogen peroxide rinse which is a powerful oxidizer which kills most bacteria, including the useful aerobic bacteria and should therefore not be not used for prolonged periods.
To improve oral hygiene, brushing after meals and flossing at least once daily is necessary to remove rotting food debris from between the teeth, especially at the gumline. Cleaning the tongue surface with a tongue scraper or brush while avoiding the taste buds found at the extreme back of the tongue will reduce this primary source of bad breath. Also, a dry mouth can increase bacterial buildup and cause or worsen bad breath, it is important to keep well hydrated by drinking plenty of water daily. Lemon juice has antibacterial properties and can be added to drinking water. Slowly chewing fresh parsley is also helpful way to get rid of bad breath.
If you have tried everything and your breath seems to smell no matter what you do, you need to fix the problem from the inside out.
To find out more about bad breath and bad breath treatments, get the free E-book 'The Easy Guide to Understanding Halitosis'










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