Posts Tagged ‘Halitosis’
Fighting halitosis or bad breath
In our mouth live at least 600 different species of bacteria and it is estimated that up to 50% of the world’s population could suffer from halitosis.
And while getting a few days with oral malodor is normal, for example after drinking alcohol or smoking in excess, a morning brushing usually tends to end the problem.
But when we suffer every day bad breath or halitosis, something might go wrong. Most likely it means that our mouth is “paradise” of bacteria.
Where does bad breath or halitosis?
Dr. Mel Rosenberg, professor of microbiology at the University of Tel Aviv, has found that living in our mouths at least 600 different species of bacteria, and for them to live in the mouth is like living in a “rainforest.”
But there are bacteria that smell. What these microorganisms is to break down the proteins we eat in our diet to produce molecules that release gases that contain sulfur, which are given off by the smell.
And the more bacteria in our mouth, more sulfur molecules and worst halitosis.
Sometimes bad breath can also be caused by diseases such as kidney or liver failure. But if the person is healthy is probably something very simple, and improve oral hygiene, help to overcome this disorder.
According to Prof. Rosenberg, oral bacteria are most prolific in the back of the tongue, so it is important as part of oral hygiene, tongue scraping every day.
Halitosis can also arise from dental problems like tooth decay or gum disease, nasal passages, throat and tonsils and many other disorders. Read the rest of this entry »
Posted in Dental Care | 
Tags: Bad breath, caused by diseases, drinking alcohol, Halitosis, Smoking, University of Tel Aviv | 
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Therapy eliminates chronic bad breath
Brushing teeth twice a day with antibacterial toothpaste and a toothbrush with a built-in tongue cleaner helps eliminate chronic bad breath.
This was indicated by a study presented at the 2008 annual meeting of the American Association for Dental Research in Dallas, Texas. Chronic bad breath, or halitosis, usually occurs by the breakdown of bacteria in the mouth, producing substances with a strong sulfur smell.
It is estimated that 25% of adults suffer the embarrassment that causes bad breath and the percentage would reach 50% among older adults. In a study that lasted 28 days and was conducted on 14 adults with halitosis, a team led by Peter Moses, a student at the School of Dentistry at the State University of New York at Buffalo, found that brushing twice daily with a paste containing triclosan and clean the surface of the tongue would solve the problem.
Triclosan is an antibacterial drug is used to treat acne, hand soaps, detergents and deodorants. “Most toothpastes do not contain triclosan,” said Dr. Joseph J. Zambon, who participated in the study. Triclosan is found in the pulp Colgate Total, which makes Colgate-Palmolive Co., which funded the study.
At the beginning and end of the study, the researchers measured levels of air in the mouth with the odor-causing bacteria and analyzed samples of tongue scraping for 20 species of bacteria that cause bad breath. According to the authors, brushing teeth twice a day with toothpaste containing triclosan and scraping the tongue with a cleaner reduced levels of bacteria that cause bad breath of about 400 parts per billion at baseline to about 100 parts to 28 days.
All participants solved the halitosis after using the paste containing triclosan and a tongue cleaner, Moses said in a statement from the university. “The fear of halitosis, known Halitophobia, sometimes is so great that up to 25% of people who say they do not have bad breath,” said the expert, adding: “The Halitophobia is related to obsessive-compulsive disorder and even caused suicides, so that effective therapies are needed for this problem.”
Posted in Halitosis | Tags: Antibacterial toothpaste, Bad breath, Halitosis, Mouth, Toothbrush | No Comments »
Against bad breath, parsley, mint or lemon
Bad breath or halitosis is a lesser evil that often does not affect the sufferer, but that may disturb a third and be very harmful on personal relationships.
If you suffer from this problem, you can combat it by following these tips:
- Brush your tongue, just as we brush our teeth
- Parsley and mint: Chewing fresh leaves of parsley or mint for 10 or 15 minutes
- Lemon: chew a piece of lemon peel for a couple of minutes after meals
- Baking: rinsing the mouth after brushing with a little warm water and a pinch of baking
Lesions and mouth such as sores or cold sores-and nostrils are mainly responsible for bad breath. However, are very common causes digestion and decomposition in the mouth of the food consumed, and hormonal factors (certain phases of the menstrual period in women).
The presence of caries and misplaced teeth, along with poor oral hygiene, leads to accumulation of food wastes to decompose causing a stench that is expelled with the breath. Against bad breath, parsley, mint or lemon.
The digestion of certain foods like garlic, onions, peppers, very fatty foods, certain spices, etc. produce gases that contribute to bad breath. The consumption of alcohol and snuff also causes halitosis, as well as the presence of infections in areas where air circulates: pharynx, larynx, bronchi or lungs.
Posted in Halitosis | Tags: Bad breath, Caries, Halitosis, Lemon, Mint, Oral hygiene, Parsley | No Comments »