Cure for Bad Breath (Halitosis)

If you've ever experienced people stepping back away from you as you speak to them, or a friend commenting outright about your bad breath, or subtly offering you gum or mints, then in all probability, you have chronic bad breath or halitosis.

Diseased gums and teeth; parasites lurking in your stomach; bacteria at the back of your tongue and throat; a penchant for spicy & pungent foods and sulfur leftovers; dirty tongue; sinusitis, periodontal disease and digestive disorders; side effects of drugs like antidepressants and heart medications.... Any or a combination of these may be the culprit for your bad breath.

Some people are so dense, though, that they do not acknowledge that they have foul-smelling breath, thereby putting off a suitable cure for bad breath, and risking more embarrassing situations. Bad breath sometimes springs to life and makes itself known through a dry metallic taste in the mouth. In certain instances, bad breath accompanies certain conditions like tonsil stones, milk intolerance, stomach and intestinal disturbances. In such cases, proper medical consultation will enlighten you on the best procedures or remedies to treat your particular ailment and in the process arrive at a cure for bad breath too. Some dental clinics recommend zapping the mouth with lasers to get rid of bacteria lodged in the tonsils. Laser is recommended for people who require more dramatic, high-tech approaches to addressing bad breath which simple brushing of the teeth, flossing and other routine dental care cannot do.

For other causes of bad breath, like unhealthy lifestyles as excessive smoking and drinking, or vitamin deficiencies, alongside daily dental care habits like brushing & flossing, you may want to consider herbal remedies. Do check first with a health expert or medical professional before opting for a herbal cure. One example of herbal remedy is tea tree oil, a non-toxic, naturally occurring oil which can be used as a mouthwash. Tea tree oil is a great natural alternative to chemical mouthwash solutions. With its antiseptic compounds, tea tree oil is a suitably powerful disinfectant to go with other approaches you have selected as a cure for bad breath. An option is to use a natural toothpaste formulated with tea tree oil. Other mouthwashes to kill oral bacteria may be formulated form other herbal wonders like myrrh (put a few drops of the myrrh tincture in a glassful of water).

Aside from taking the herbal route, there's no substitute, of course, for a good diet. Drink plenty of water and increase your intake of vitamins C and E, without exceeding recommended daily levels. Go for seeds, nuts, vegetables, grains and fruits. If brushing teeth immediately after a meal is not possible, snack on sliced apples, or chew sugar-free gum, the better to stimulate saliva production and prevent dry mouth syndrome and bacteria from setting in.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Teatro Naturale

Copyright 2009

Our Tonsils - A Problem the Size of a Pea

As a child, Meghan Swann had suffered several bouts of strep throat, and when she was a teenager, she thought she felt another one coming on. The main symptom was familiar — a dull sore-throat pain.

But this time something was different; there seemed to be a foreign object stuck in the back of her throat, something she couldn’t quite swallow. “So I pushed on my tonsil, and something popped out,” Ms. Swann said. The yellowish object was about the size of a piece of gravel and had the sulfurous odor of bad breath. “I thought it was a piece of food or something,” she said.

From then on, Ms. Swann, now 25 and living in the St. Louis area, engaged in a secret ritual: popping the mushrooming bits of debris out of her tonsils with a cotton swab whenever they got big enough to cause discomfort.

One day, she mentioned her problem to her mother — and was surprised at the knowing response. Those squishy little things were tonsil stones, her mother explained, and she sometimes got them too. This year, when Ms. Swann posted a blog entry about her stones, readers came out of the woodwork to tell her they also had the problem. “Wow,” she remembers thinking, “there’s a lot of people out there with this.”

Formally known as tonsilloliths, the stones consist of mucus, dead cells and other debris that collect in the deep pockets of the tonsils and gradually condense into small, light-colored globs. Bacteria feed on this accumulated matter, giving rise to the odor. Most commonly, the stones are no bigger than a pencil eraser, although doctors have reported individual cases of patients with stones more than an inch wide.

In recent years, tonsil stones have become a frequent topic of discussion on the Internet. Lively message-board threads on sites like wrongdiagnosis.com draw dozens of anonymous sufferers looking for advice, sympathy and possible remedies. “All these years I’ve suffered in silence,” one typical post reads. “Good to know I’m not some weirdo after all!”

Indeed, tonsil stones appear to be a widespread affliction. In a 2007 study, French researchers found that in a sample of 515 CT scans, 31 subjects — about 6 percent — showed evidence of calcified matter in their nasopharyngeal tonsils, better known as adenoids.

No comparable data is available for the United States, but Dr. Harold Katz, a dentist in Los Angeles and author of “The Bad Breath Bible,” says he suspects that a sizable percentage of Americans suffer from tonsilloliths.

“I travel around the country a lot,” he said, “and one of the No. 1 questions I get is, ‘What are those things growing in my tonsils?’ ”

Dr. Katz speculates that the stones are prevalent nowadays for a number of reasons. “As people get fewer and fewer tonsillectomies, the potential for tonsil stones grows,” he said. “Also, many prescription medications have dry mouth as a side effect, which causes anaerobic bacteria to go into overdrive.”

While tonsil stones are relatively common, they remain little understood among many ear, nose and throat specialists. Sufferers are used to hearing from doctors that there’s nothing wrong with them or that the particles trapped in their tonsils are simply the dregs of last night’s dinner.

“My daughter used to cough them up,” Dr. Katz said. “I went to U.C.L.A. to have it checked out, but no one ever told us what a tonsil stone was.” He took her to a friend who was an ear, nose and throat specialist and was told, “It’s just a piece of food.”

Perhaps because tonsil stones are not typically considered a pathological condition, few research reports have been published about them. Nevertheless, the stones can cause an array of uncomfortable side effects, including sore throat and ear pain, not to mention the maddening sensation of a foreign body in the throat. In a 2008 case report from India, doctors described removing a giant tonsillolith that was making it painful for a young patient to swallow.

Some research suggests that tonsilloliths also have the potential to take a toll on sufferers’ social lives. In a 2007 study at the State University of Campinas in Brazil, doctors found that tonsilloliths were present in 75 percent of tonsillitis patients who had bad breath and in only 6 percent with normal breath.

But Dr. Toshihiro Ansai, an associate professor at Kyushu Dental College in Japan who has studied the link between tonsil stones and bad breath, does not think all stone sufferers need to be concerned. “Most halitosis is caused by periodontal diseases and tongue coat,” he said. “Tonsillolith would be a minor cause.”

While having tonsils surgically removed is the only solution likely to banish tonsil stones for good, Dr. Lee A. Zimmer, an otolaryngologist at the University of Cincinnati, hesitates to recommend tonsillectomy to stone sufferers right off the bat. (In some patients, tonsil removal results in complications and excess bleeding.)

Instead, Dr. Zimmer offers an arsenal of less drastic remedies. “Gargle with a non-alcohol-based mouthwash, and use a Waterpik — literally blast the tonsils to see if you can force the stones out,” he said. “Try that for a month or so and see how it goes.”

Dr. Katz offers another alternative to surgery: oxygenating mouthwashes and sinus sprays he sells on his Web site, therabreath.com, which he claims neutralize the anaerobic bacteria responsible for stone formation.

For Ms. Swann, noninvasive remedies have not helped much. For the time being, she is continuing her tried-and-true maintenance routine of dislodging the stones as soon as they get big enough to annoy her.

“I don’t mess with them until I feel my tonsils starting to hurt,” she said, “and then I go to the bathroom for 10 or 15 minutes and push on my tonsils until they start popping out.”

She views her problem as manageable, but savors the thought of doing away with her tonsil-plumbing sessions forever. “I’m on the fence about surgery,” she said, “but maybe I should just pull the trigger and go for it.”

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source New Your Times

Copyright 2009

Dentists Offer Advice For The Healthiest Smile

By DAPHNE HOWLAND / Special Contributor to The Dallas Morning News

The advice to "brush and floss," plus a new toothbrush, is the usual take-away from the dentist's office. The hygienist cleans and polishes, the dentist pokes and prods, and they update you on your teeth and gums.

BRIAN STAUFFER/Special Contributor - But it turns out there's a lot more your dentist would like you to know. We poked and prodded at a couple of dentists, an orthodontist and a hygienist to find out what.

Your teeth were designed to last 100 years: "Every dental material we use – porcelain, plastic, metal – to fix teeth is a poor substitute for the enamel and dentin that's in the patient," said Dallas dentist Linda Niessen, a professor at Baylor College of Dentistry. Most of the issues that require fillings, crowns and other replacements are preventable with basic care, all experts said.

Keeping plaque off teeth fitted with braces is especially challenging, but no less important, reminded Dallas orthodontist C. Moody Alexander. Not only will plaque cause maladies in the teeth and gums, but it also could prolong the need for braces.

"Good hygiene, period, prevents most dental disease," said Rockwall dentist David R. Maxwell. "It's as important as washing your body."

You need to tell us everything about your health: "A lot of times people don't remember their mouth is connected to the rest of their body," Maxwell said. "I want to hear about everything – medicines you're taking, any problems you're having. We'll make the determination if it's dentally related."

Many diseases or their treatments can affect oral health or treatments, and vice versa, experts said. "Don't be surprised if I ask you about diabetes, about smoking, about arthritis. You need to be forthcoming," Niessen said.

There is no such thing as perfect white teeth: The seeming perfection, the flawless whiter-than-white pearls you see in the mouths of models and movie stars are usually the result of Photoshop, not whitening treatments, according to Niessen. Many such treatments are dehydrating to teeth, which can weaken them and make them sensitive, so they should be used with caution.

"All dentistry should be cosmetic," Maxwell said. "If a cosmetic treatment is healthy, I'm fine with it. But not if it's not best for your overall health in the long term."

You don't brush your teeth long enough: "Two minutes feels like a long time, but that's how long you should be brushing your teeth," said June Rose Bandy, a hygienist in Highland Park. "Two minutes for brushing, and, at night, another three for flossing. Five minutes of your time."

To put that in perspective, Bandy instructs children to play a two-minute song on their MP3 players while they brush. "They see their brushing's over, but the song's not. This also works for busy adults."

She suggests using an electric toothbrush to make brushing even more effective. "With an electric brush, you're cleaning areas, like the back of the teeth, that are very hard to get," Bandy said. "But you still need to take two minutes. And I remind people, your teeth don't lie."

Dental floss is not a toothpick: Cleaning your teeth requires two tools: a brush and floss. Flossing is required only once a day, most effectively at night, but it's the only way to clean in between teeth and under the gums. "A lot of people think with floss they're popping food out of their mouth," said Bandy. "But it's about taking plaque off. We're cleaning areas of teeth with floss you can't reach with a toothbrush."

Your tongue needs cleaning, too: What we call "taste buds" our dentists call "papillae." They collect bacteria and hold plaque, so gently cleaning your tongue using a tongue scraper or your toothbrush can help prevent bad breath and keep your teeth clean, according to Bandy.

Teach your children well: Although people think baby teeth are disposable, their health can affect the health and quality of permanent teeth, even ones that haven't yet erupted, Maxwell said. Plus, children's dental care at home is not just about cleaning teeth, but also about building lifelong habits and expectations, the experts agreed.

With routine care, children grow to be adults who won't go to bed without brushing and flossing. And early experiences at the dentist can prevent much of the anxiety many adults feel.

Daphne Howland is a freelance writer in Portland, Maine
Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source The Dallas Morning News

Copyright 2009

Dental Retainer Care

How to Get a Clean Retainer

There are few things more disgusting than a dirty retainer. Keeping your dental retainer clean is important, not only so that it remains in good condition, but so that your teeth stay clean too. Your dental retainer will be placed right up against your teeth, so it makes sense that a clean retainer correlates with clean teeth. Dirty retainers can also lead to bad breath in the same way that forgetting to brush your teeth gives you stinky breath-the bacteria living in your mouth give off waste products that contain sulfur compounds, which give your breath that horrific stench. And even if you think a breath mint will do the trick, do you really want to wear a dental retainer with bits of dirt and who knows what else clinging to it?

How do retainers get dirty in the first place?

The orthodontist probably failed to tell you this, but it’s actually really easy for retainers to get dirty. Plaque and bacteria build up on the retainer rather quickly, especially when you wear it for hours. This buildup can be exacerbated if you don’t brush your teeth between eating and replacing the retainer or if set the retainer down somewhere other than the case that the orthodontist gave you.

Forgetting to brush your teeth before putting in the retainer will mean that there are probably bits of food hiding between your teeth, or old plaque sticking to the teeth. This will attract bacteria that will feast on the food particles and create new plaque and foul odors.

Haphazardly setting down retainers can be just as bad for keeping the retainers clean as not brushing. The orthodontist provided you (I hope!) with a dental retainer case for a reason-to keep it clean. Supposedly clean retainers can pick up a ton of bacteria from seemingly harmless places like bathroom counters. The bacteria picked up by the retainer will go straight into your mouth when you put the retainer back on. You should also be sure to clean out your dental retainer case, so that the retainer isn’t also picking up bacteria and grime from a dirty retainer case.

How do I clean my dental retainer?

Fortunately, obtaining a clean retainer is not that hard, no matter how disgusting the dental retainer be at the present moment. You’ll need to buy some dental retainer cleaning solution, which is available at the orthodontist office or even in many drugstores. The brands of dental retainer cleaning solution include Retainer Brite, Denta Clean, and Retainer Fresh. Cleaning solution is not very expensive, and since it makes it quick and easy for you to get a clean retainer, the cleaning solution is worth every penny! Once you’ve purchased some dental retainer cleaning solution, just follow these easy steps and you’ll have a clean retainer in no time!

1. Rinse the retainer in warm water

If you wear your dental retainer at night and during the day, take a moment in the morning to rinse it off. Even if you’re in too much of a hurry to give the dental retainer a full cleaning, rinsing will ensure that you have at least an acceptably clean retainer.

2. Retainer Cleaning Solution

Follow the directions for whichever retainer cleaning solution you decide to use. After rinsing the retainer, place it in the cleaning solution. Soak the retainer in the cleaning solution for however long the cleaning solution instructions dictate. You should go through the whole routine for a clean retainer at least once a day, but preferably two or three times every day. You can soak the dental retainer in cleaning solution while you brush and floss your teeth, since you can’t do these tasks with a retainer on anyways.

3. Rinse your dental retainer again in water before putting it back on

Many people make the mistake of putting their retainers on without washing off the retainer cleaning solution. Wearing retainers that haven’t been rinsed makes about as much sense as skipping the rinse cycle on the washing machine. Retainers drenched in cleaning solution don’t taste that great, and the cleaning solution is not meant to be ingested. If you accidentally swallow a bunch of retainer cleaning solution (not sure how someone would manage this, but it has happened before) call a poison control center immediately.

4. If the cleaning solution routine doesn’t get you a clean retainer…

If you’ve tried rinsing your dental retainer in cleaning solution several times and still don’t have a clean retainer, you will need to take it in to the orthodontist. The orthodontist will have your dental retainer cleaned with an ultrasonic machine at the orthodontist office. If treating the retainer in the ultrasonic machine still doesn’t elicit a clean retainer, you’ll need to buy a new one. It’s pretty rare for people to have to buy new retainers if they’ve taken proper care of them.

Usually, cleaning the retainers every day will be more than enough to keep them in good shape. Even when it’s impossible to get a clean retainer, an ultrasonic machine will almost always work. But sometimes there are extreme cases-usually retainers need replacing if they have gone several weeks or months without being cleaned, or if the owner was careless and sat on them or lost their dental retainer (you’d be surprised how often people break and lose retainers).

A new set of retainers is expensive, so it would be well worth your time to make sure you always have a clean retainer!

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Ethopia Review

Copyright 2009

Chinese Astronauts Must Not Have Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Chinese officials have produced a list of 100 health requirements for would-be astronauts (taikonauts), including not having bad breath.

The list of requirements states that those wanting to be part of China's next space programme must not have runny noses, drug allergies or ringworm.

Doctors from the 454th Air Force Hospital in Nanjing, eastern China say scars and tooth cavities - which could explode in space - could also rule people out on grounds of safety.

In a moment of consideration for the taikonauts, who could spend months in confined space with each other, they say bad body odour and bad breath are also no-no's.

Oddly, under new rules married astronauts will only get to go into space if their wife says they can ... which probably means they will have to bring back a bottle of milk on their return.

China will launch a space module next year with plans for a docking by 2011.

Given that most other space-faring nations now seem to require little more of astronauts than a good level of general physical fitness and for space tourists, the only requirements seem to be enough cash to pay their way, I think the Chinese are being overly-cautious in their requirements.

The Russians, Americans and Europeans all had similar restrictions back when space travel was entirely new and unknown but, since they now know what's required of space travellers, such rigorous 'specifications' for a prospective astronaut seem pretty redundant.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source NewsLite

Copyright 2009

Dentist Discovers Bad Breath (Halitosis) Secrets

Only 9% of people alert friends and family to a 'bad breath(halitosis)' problem

Only one in 10 people are willing to tell friends and family that they have bad breath, a survey reveals.

The poll of more than 1,500 patients at a Cheshire-based dental practice found only 9% of people would alert friends and family to the problem, with the others preferring to keep quiet and save people's feelings.

Dr Anjali Shahi, founder of Manor Dental Practice in Sale where the survey took place, said she was 'completely taken aback' with the results and launched an ‘emergency fresh breath clinic', in the hope of keeping bad breath at bay.

‘It was after one patient requested that I help to freshen-up his breath for a first date that I realised this would be a great service for men and women on the go – wherever they're going to,' she said.

Referring to the survey results, she added: ‘No-one likes to be rude, but I did expect a few more people would come forward and tell others when their breath smells.'

At www.dentalhealth.org, the website of the British Dental Health Foundation, it reads:

Question: How can I tell if I have bad breath?
Answer: Lots of small signals can show that you have bad breath. Have you noticed people stepping away when you start to talk? Do people turn their cheek when you kiss them goodbye?

If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Simply lick the inside of your wrist and sniff – if the smell is bad, you can be pretty sure that your breath is too or ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest, but do make sure they are a true friend!

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.


Source Dentistry.co.uk

Copyright 2009

Bad Breath (Halitosiss) Could Be Warning Sign of Cardiovascular Disease

Suffering from persistent bad breath could be an early warning sign of an otherwise silent condition known as periodontal (gum) disease. Left untreated, gum disease can lead to tooth loss. Research has also shown, and experts agree, that there is an association between periodontal diseases and other chronic inflammatory conditions such as cardiovascular disease. In the United States, cardiovascular disease contributes to the deaths of 2,400 Americans a day.

More research will further explain the relationship between periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease but recent emphasis has been placed on the role of inflammation in the body. Inflammation is the body’s way of fighting infection, guarding against injury or shielding against irritation. Chronic inflammation left untreated can lead to dysfunction of the affected tissues and to more severe health complications. Both periodontal disease and cardiovascular disease are inflammatory diseases, and inflammation is the common mechanism that connects them.

Treating inflammation may not only help manage periodontal diseases but may also help with the management of cardiovascular disease. When an inflammatory condition is suspected or diagnosed, it is important to consult with both a general physician and a dental health professional.

It is estimated that 75% of Americans have gum disease and millions don’t know it. To assess your risk of gum disease click here. Bad breath is only one early warning sign of gum disease. Click here for other warning signs.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Houston Dental Health Examiner

Copyright 2009

Tea Health and Beauty Tips to Give Your Body a Boost

Here are 15 little known health and beauty tips to give your body a tea boost. It’s good to know you can get double the pleasure when you drink tea--delicious liquid refreshment, and the satisfaction of knowing you’re giving your body a healthy boost.

1. Gargle with black tea instead of mouthwash to eliminate bad breath and prevent cavities. Certain natural agents in black tea can stop bacteria growth that causes bad breath and other dental problems.

2. Drink black tea to lower bad cholesterol levels. It may also help to reduce heart disease for those at risk.

3. Place cold used Chamomile tea bags on the eyes to reduce puffiness and diminish dark circles.
4. Control pimple outbreaks naturally with a moist tea bag. Lightly pat the pimple to help it dry out.

5. Save money on lip toner—use tea instead. Apply a warm moist used tea bag to your lips for about five minutes.

6. Add mint tea to your foot bath for a fragrant and relaxing soak when giving yourself a pedicure.

7. Stuff sneakers and dress shoes with dried green tea leaves to eliminate odor and freshen shoes.

8. Condition your hair with green tea and lemon juice. After each shampoo, use this tea conditioner as a leave-in rinse for soft and silky hair.

9. Treat shaving nicks with a wet teabag. The tannic acid in the tea reduces redness and stops the bleeding.

10. Soothe fever blisters and canker sores with cool wet teabags. Place them on the sore and hold for several minutes. Use as often as needed.

11. Drink green tea to reduce the risk of cancer. Research has found that green tea contains anti-cancer agents that naturally reduce the risk of certain types of cancer.

12. Substitute green tea for diet beverages. Green tea burns fat, increases the metabolism, reduces cravings and has no calories.

13. Chamomile tea has been found to reduce complications from Type 2 Diabetes. Studies show that drinking chamomile tea may help to prevent blindness, and nerve and kidney damage from Diabetes.

14. Drink green tea with lemon juice to prevent flu, viruses and colds. Research has shown that drinking hot lemon tea may help you stay healthy during the cold and flu season.

15. Sipping four cups of black tea a day can help you manage stress levels. Ingredients in black tea have been found to have a positive effect on the brain.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Examiner

Copyright 2009