L.A. Dentist Wants to Help You Breathe Easier

It's a silent affliction that can rob you of self-esteem, interfere with your work life and cripple your social life.An estimated 30 per cent of the population suffers enough to seek professional help, but we're all victims to some degree.

"Everyone in the world has morning breath," says Dr. Harold Katz, a Beverly Hills dentist and founder of the California Breath Clinics.

It's when oral malodour persists, despite regular brushing and flossing and overall good hygiene, that it becomes a problem -- for the owner of said mouth and anyone who comes within close proximity.

"Socially, it can be devastating," says Katz, who is also a microbiologist. He started his research in the early '90s to find a solution to his teenage daughter's breath problem.

Bad breath -- the clinical term is halitosis -- is caused by anaerobic, sulphur-producing bacteria that breed in the mouth, beneath the surface of the tongue and in the throat, he explains. Everyone has some number of these nasty critters in their breath.

The good news is that at low levels, the odorous compounds can't be detected by the human nose.

The bad news is that many of our favourite foods and beverages (coffee, alcohol and sugar are major culprits) -- as well as certain popular medications -- can send those levels soaring. And most of the products we use to battle beastly breath actually make it worse, once the minty-fresh, odour-masking effect wears off.

Unfortunately, halitosis is one of those proverbial elephants in the living room. Everyone knows it's there, but no one wants to talk about it.

Until now.

Are you ready to face the truth about your own exhalations?

The Free Press is looking for five volunteers to have their breath scientifically tested by Dr. Katz, who will use a hand-held device called a halimeter to measure bad-breath levels.

Each participant will get a breath analysis, treatment program (if necessary) and samples from TheraBreath, Katz's line of bacteria-banishing oral care products. (A series of three visits to one of his California clinics would set you back US$495.)

We're looking for men and woman of all ages -- from teens with braces to denture-wearing seniors -- who suffer from bad breath. That includes folks who are finally clueing in to the frequent offers of mints and gum from co-workers and friends as well as those who know their breath could strip paint but can't find a lasting solution.

Remember, if it tastes like something crawled into your mouth and died, it probably smells like it, too.

But don't take your own word. As Katz points out, "You can't smell your own breath."


Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Winnipeg Free Press

Copyright 2009