Bad Breath Information - Learn to Cure Bad Breath Here
Bad Breath (Halitosis)
Information
Here is some more
information that we hope you find useful.
Bad Breath, also known
as halitosis or fetor oris (Latin), is an embarrassing, condition
that occurs naturally. The prime villain of bad breath is anaerobic
bacteria. This bacteria lives primarily on your tongue and thrives
in the hot, sticky, air-free environment in your mouth. This bacteria
eat the proteins in your saliva, and release a sulfuric gas. This
sulfuric gas is the unpleasant odor that is bad breath.
There are many causes
of bad breath, 90% of which originate in the mouth. Fortunately
for most of us, bad breath is not a serious condition,
and can be easily treated. First, Let us look at some causes of
bad breath;
- Sleeping (Morning
Breath); While you
are asleep, your saliva flows more slowly. Since the flow is
slower, it is unable to dilute the release of sulfuric gas.
- A Dirty Tongue; has tiny little hairs which are
the real culprits for bad breath. These tiny little hairs trap
and breed bacteria.
- Dieting; Eating produces saliva to enable
the easier swallowing of food, and swallowing dislodges bacteria
from the back of the tongue. So, the less you eat, the less saliva
you produce, and the less sulfuric gases you dilute.
- Certain Foods;
All foods can cause
bad breath, but food such as onions, garlic, etc. (you know which
ones you avoid when you have an important business meeting or
a hot date!) have highly volatile gases that are absorbed into
the bloodstream, evaporates into the lungs, and wafts out of
your mouth when you speak. Since this form of halitosis is lung-based,
flushing the system with lots of water will help.
- Menstruation; Hormones released right before the
start of the menstrual cycle create a heavy concentration of
sulfuric protein in saliva.
- Poor Oral Hygiene; Food trap within cavities inside
the mouth can cause bad breath. Poor oral hygiene (proper brushing
and flossing) can result in food particles rotting within your
mouth.
Now that we know the
cause of bad breath let us look for simple solutions.
- Proper Brushing;
Did you know that when you brush your teeth and gums that you
should also brush your tongue and also the roof of your mouth.
Brushing these areas helps dislodge bacteria from the microscopic
hairs on your tongue. By removing these bacteria you will keep
your breath fresher all day.
- Proper Oral Hygiene; If you have dentures, cavities,
or other mouth problems make sure that you cleanse the affected
area thoroughly. Keeping your mouth free of foreign particles
will keep your breath fresh.
- Avoid Certain
Foods; If you don't
want to smell like garlic on the night of a hot date you should
avoid eating garlic. Please don't feel like you are going to
miss good foods our next tips is helpful as well.
- Drink Plenty
of Water; Keeping
yourself hydrated does two things. It allows your system to flush
out odors from onions, garlic, and other aromatic foods. It also
keeps your mouth moist and slows the growth of bacteria.
- Avoid Alcohol
and Caffeine; Alcohol
and Caffeine are both diuretics and can cause your mouth to
become dry. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for bacteria. (Note:
This principle is responsible for the introduction of new, Alcohol
free mouthwashes).
Please see our Hygiene / Dental product
section
