Chronic Bad Breath Cure – The Secret To Curing Chronic Bad Breath
Before we can discuss any form of chronic bad breath cure we need to have a clear definition of what chronic bad breath actually is. You see we all get bad breath from time to time perhaps from forgetting to brush that morning, having a strong cup of coffee or eating that tuna and onion sandwich for lunch.
However after a few hours or a bit of oral hygiene the offending odor is pretty much removed, Chronic bad breath is different however as it has very little to do with the foods that we eat. Chronic bad breath is persistent and reoccurring bad breath that we experience despite constant efforts to keep it at bay by brushing and regular oral hygiene methods.
This type of bad breath is actually called halitosis and it is caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. When allowed to breed and grow these bacteria produce waste products called ‘volatile sulpher compounds’ or VSL’s for short. There are number of different VSL’s the bacteria can produce. VSL’s are what that give rotten eggs and rotting meat their repugnant smell.
VSL’s are referred to being volatile not because they are flammable but rather because they can evaporate really easily at room temperatures. When they do this they can quickly diffuse through the air and can be noticed easily on the breath.
Now we understand what it is we can look at cures for chronic bad breath. The key to curing it will therefore be doing our best to eliminate the presence of these bacteria by making the mouth the mouth an inhospitable place as possible for them. We can do this using this simple three step approach to curing chronic bad breath.
1) Attack Them Directly
2) Flush Them Out
3) Biochemical Warfare
1) Attack the Bacteria That Cause Chronic Bad Breath Directly
The bacteria that cause chronic bad breath grow in the greatest concentration in the spaces between the taste buds at the back of the tongue and while most of us brush our teeth at least twice a day, very few of us actively clean this area.
It is quite easy to do once you get the hang of it and there are even special tongue scraper tools to help you do it. By scraping the tongue from back to front once or twice a day we can remove the layer of mucus under which bacteria thrive, remove a large chunk of the bacteria themselves and expose the area to more oxygen.
2) Flush the Bacteria Out
One of the major causes of chronic bad breath is having a dry mouth. A dry mouth is bad for the breath because lower levels of saliva mean a greater concentration of bacteria and it also means less cell debris is swept away giving the bacteria plenty of free meals from which to feed and subsequently produce waste.
Unfortunately saliva levels decrease with age naturally but we can give them as much help as possible by drinking the recommended 2 liters of water per day and avoiding diuretics like tea, coffee and alcohol.
3) Biochemical Warfare
A third chronic bad breath cures is to attack the bacteria with antibacterial agents and oxidizing agents. Many mouthwashes will contain antibacterial agents and these should be used in preference of mouthwashes that contain alcohol as they will only cause dehydration.
Using an antibacterial mouthwash following proper tongue scraping will make sure we are attacking the rooting of the problem and help us to effectively cure chronic bad breath.
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Halitosis Symptoms – How to Spot the Common Symptoms of Halitosis
Halitosis symptoms can manifest in a variety of ways. In this article we are going to take a look at what can cause bad breath and the symptoms that we should be on the lookout so that we can make the distinction between mild bad breath, perhaps caused by something we have eaten, and the more serious condition of chronic bad breath caused bacteria living on the tongue that we call halitosis.
To check the freshness of our own breath simply breathing out and trying to smell it is not very effective. Instead it is better to lick the back of your own hand, wait a few seconds, then smell it. If there is a smell here then I am sorry to say that the chances are you are indeed suffering from bad breath or some degree of halitosis. At this point I know all too well just how upsetting it can be when we realise we do indeed have this problem, and I do not want to sound in any way patronising but please try and believe me when I say its really not the end of the world (even though I know all too well that it may feel like that at the moment). Many of us have had this problem and there are solutions, so while you may be feeling down right now the good news is that we have now identified the problem and so we can get to work solving it.
For now though, lets examine a few more of the tell tale halitosis symptoms we need to be on the look out for. Another give away may be that despite the fact you brush and floss everyday your bad breath persists. This would be an indication that for some reason the bacteria are still managing to grow and you have halitosis.
You can of course ask an understanding friend or relative if they have ever noticed your breath. Even if they have this does not necessarily mean that you have halitosis and so we need to be able to spot the other halitosis symptoms before jumping to any conclusions.
White or Yellow Film on the Tongue
A white or yellow film on the tongue, particularly at the back is often a symptom of halitosis. The film is caused by an accumulation of both the anaerobic bacteria that cause halitosis and mucous. Although the bacteria that cause halitosis are found throughout the mouth one area that is ideal for breeding is the small spaces between the taste buds at the back of the tongue. If this area has the yellow or white film it is important to clean it each day with a tongue scraper then use and antibacterial mouthwash.
Dry Mouth
Having a dry mouth is not only a halitosis symptom but also one of the common causes of bad breath. A dry mouth aids the development of bad breath causing bacteria for a number of reasons. Firstly the concentration of bacteria in the saliva increases making them more likely to evaporate and be smelt on the breath. The lack of saliva also caused the mouth to become more acidic, an environment ideal for the reproduction of bacteria. Finally less saliva means that there is less of a flushing effect in the mouth and much cellular debris is available for the bacteria to feed on.
It is therefore vitally important to stay well hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day and also avoiding diuretics like coffee that cause dehydration.
Strange Tastes
Another symptom of halitosis can be a strange taste in the mouth. The taste may be bitter, sour or metallic. The most common cause of these tastes is simply a dry mouth but there can be other reasons such as drainage from the sinus, various medications, dental infections and blood.
If you notice that you have any of the above the your best course of action is to speak to a health care professional like a dentist who will be able to recommend the best course of action for the halitosis symptoms you exhibit.
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Halitosis Medication – What Ingredients Make Halitosis Medications?
Halitosis Medication – A Brief Introduction
Halitosis medication is something that many of us halitosis suffers are looking for, feel we need or have used. The reason why is simple, all too often we are seeking a fast and effective way to end the emotional pain and embarrassment of living with bad breath and I for one know that when the problem occurs what I want a solution as quickly as possible.
When we feel unwell or under the weather we can speak to our doctor, who will ask us how we feel or where we are experiencing discomfort, they will then examine us, diagnose the problem and then provide a solution in the form of an appropriate medication.
The problem with bad breath and halitosis is that often the underlying cause can be unclear which in turn makes prescribing the right course of halitosis treatment difficult.
Even after that, there are a range of treatments and medications for halitosis that we may be recommended however any one of these may still not be the most effective course of action as different treatments have been reported to have differing rates of success in varying situations.
What this article aims to do is examine the halitosis medications available and discuss their reported effectiveness so that you can make a more informed decision when it comes to your own personal treatment and use of halitosis medications.
When we discover we have halitosis the first thing we want is a way to get rid of it and get rid of it fast. It’s therefore no surprise that people want halitosis medication as a quick fix for this problem.
A lot of the time however there is no one halitosis medication that will work for everyone as there are a number of factors that can cause the development of anaerobic bacteria that lead to halitosis.
That said there are a number of substances that have been used as medications for halitosis and in products designed to cure or alleviate the problem.
One example is Chlorhexidine, more often known by its brand name Corsodyl. Chlorhexidine is an antibacterial agent that can help to reduce the number of bad breath causing bacteria in the mouth and therefore reducing halitosis.
Another substance used in halitosis medication is chlorine dioxide. Chlorine dioxide has been found to significantly reduce the presence of bacteria in the mouth and thus halitosis. This oxidizing agent is used in many halitosis products but especially the ProFresh Breath Care System by Dr. Richter as much of his research focused on the effects of chlorine dioxide on halitosis.
In his study of over 600 patients with bad breath he found that halitosis could be eliminate with a 99% success rate when used after scraping the tongue.
The reason it helps to remove the bacteria is because they prefer anaerobic conditions, in other words an environment that is low in oxygen. By using an oxidizing agent like this we make the mouth a much more difficult place for the bacteria to grow.
It should go without saying that before you take any medication, even halitosis medications you should consult with your doctor or dentist as they will be able to offer you the most applicable advice to your situation.
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Cures for Halitosis – A Review of ProFresh Breath Care System
Do a Google search for ‘cures for halitosis‘ and you will get a large list of products advertised in the sponsored listings but do any of these products offer a real, long term solution to the difficult and embarrassing problem of chronic bad breath?
In this article we are going to take a look at one of the most popular cures for halitosis, the ProFresh Breath System.
The ProFresh System – How It Works
The First halitosis cure that you may come across is the Profesh System by Dr. Jon L. Ricter. Dr. Ricter was a Periodontist in a private practice in Philadelphia and set up the first clinic in the U.S. that dealt specifically with breath disorders. During a clinical study at his centre, Dr. Ricter tested the effect of chlorine dioxide as an agent to remove the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.
Although chlorine dioxide is a safe germicide that is used in the water purification process, Dr. Ricter also found exciting results in its ability to remove the bacteria that cause halitosis. Of the 600 patents Dr Ricter seen in his first year, 99% said that chlorine dioxide rinse treatment following tongue cleaning eliminated their existing condition and cured their halitosis.
Because of this early success Dr. Ricter received a patent to provide the only mouth rinse solution that could contain meaningful levels of chloride dioxide.
The mechanism by which this halitosis cure is said to work is said to be three fold. Firstly it kills the odor-causing bacteria, Secondly it destroys the volatile sulpher compounds that cause the bad breath smell before they reach the air and thirdly it reduces the proteins that allow the odor causing bacteria to ferment.
In the video below Dr. Ricter talks about the system he developed and how it works.
ProFresh Reviews – From Real ProFresh Users
Some online research for reviews of the ProFresh system by actual users has revealed some interesting findings. One review found was a comment made on this article by a woman called Fiona in response to another comment as to whether anyone had actually used the ProFresh system.
Here is a summary of Fiona’s response:
“Yes, try ProFresh it really works! Previously i was using Retardex which worked temporarily but it was expensive. ProFresh is amazing! It really works. If you look at the profresh website or search for Dr. Ricter on Google scholar you will see he has the scientific studies to back his product up. I was skeptical about buying this product as so many in the past failed to live up to the claims but this one really does! Hope that helps you 
”
This is certainly interesting reading a good start for the ProFresh system however we can not draw too many conclusions from just one review.
Another useful source of user feed back is the Amazon market place where you can purchase this cure for halitosis. Out of six customer reviews of the ProFresh system, users have given the product 4.5 out of 5 stars.
Most users have echoed the sentiments of Fiona in that they have been really pleased with how well the product eliminated odor and how fresh it left their mouth feeling. The lowest review for the product was 3 out of 5 stars as the user was unhappy with the strong taste.
Others also commented on this but said it was either mild or bearable. As we all have differing tastes and sensitivities it is hard to anticipate how you will react until you have tried it for yourself.
To read the full ProFresh Reviews on Amazon.com simply click here.
What does seem to be clear from the reviews is that if you can put up with taste then this is one of the best cures for halitosis money can buy. You are likely to see positive results in the freshness of your breath and reduction of malodor, which is exactly what we want.
As far as the price goes at just $39 this is amazing value and well worth a try since they offer a full money back guarantee if it does not work for you. This makes the ProFresh System one of the best cures for halitosis you can buy.
Click Here to check out ProFresh Breath Care System at Amazon.com now.
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Treatment for Halitosis – The Most Common Ways to Treat Halitosis
Treatment for Halitosis – An Introduction
To properly treat halitosis we must understand that the correct course of treatment for halitosis will vary from person to person simply because the primary cause of the halitosis can differ greatly between individuals. In this article we are going to take a look at the quick look at what causes halitosis before discussing some of the more effective ways that we can treat halitosis.
In short halitosis is the correct name for the condition we commonly call bad breath however it is not simply to do with that tuna or onion breath you can get after eating but rather a more chronic condition associated with an excessive growth of the bacteria that live in the mouth.
As these bacteria reproduce and respire they excrete waste products like all other living organisms. Unfortunately for us, the waste products they secrete have a typically nasty smell due to their sulphur compounds. These compounds in the excreted waste product of the bacteria evaporate readily at room temperatures and can subsequently be smelt on the breath.
There are wide variety of things that we may be unintentionally doing that are actually creating an optimal breeding ground for these bacteria and helping them to grow and create more waste. These causes of halitosis have been discussed in greater depth in this article. If you have not already done so I recommend you read that article first before continuing as fully understanding the cause of your halitosis will help you to treat it much more effectively.
Hopefully by now you can see that any successful treatment for halitosis requires us to make the mouth as inhospitable for the bad breath causing bacteria as we possibly can. Here is a useful list of tips for doing just that.
Remove Food Sources
The bacteria that cause bad breath in the mouth feed on protein which they can get from particles of food trapped in the teeth after a meal, blood cells, enzymes in the saliva, white blood cells in the mucus and dead skin cells that come from the cheek, gums and tongue.
It is therefore vitally important that we do our utmost to reduce these food sources as much as humanly possible. Flossing helps to dislodge food particles trapped in the tight gaps between the teeth that brushing would other miss so it is important we do this first then brush away the particles.
Brushing is something we pretty much all do and for those of us that suffer bad breath it can become a bit of an obsession. However the reason it doesn’t often seem to work is because very few of us actually do it right.
The video below shows the correct ways to floss and brush. (just a heads up, its an older video from YouTube so the picture and sound quality is not the best but it is still a great video with some great tips to treat halitosis.)
Attack The Bacteria’s Home – Don’t Let The Bacteria Settle In
Although these bacteria can grow on the gum line and on the cheeks they are usually concentrated at the back of the tongue where the groves between the taste buds provide a cozy place for them to breed. Don’t let them get to comfortable however and evict these unwanted tenants by using a tongue scraper to clean your tongue.
Scraping you tongue can be a strange experience at first and often activated the gag reflex which can be quite uncomfortable and unnerving the first couple of times you try it but it is worth overcoming this barrier and learning how to do it properly as it one of the key treatments for halitosis.
There a wide variety of tongue scrapers on the market so it is worth researching to see which will suit you best. Amazon have a wide variety plus the reviews from other users will give you an idea of what each has to offer and is like to use.
The dental nurse in the video above gave a good description of how to scrape your tongue correctly so take a look at that now if you have not already done so.
Keep the Mouth Moist
The anaerobic bacteria that cause halitosis thrive in a dry mouth therefore it is important that we keep saliva flowing and the mouth moist. Unfortunately saliva production is one of those things that naturally decreases with age so understanding how we can assist in keeping the mouth moist is of the utmost importance.
The key is to drink plenty of water. This is especially true upon waking as this is when we are naturally dehydrated. The problem is most people drink little more than a cup of strong tea or coffee in the morning. Not only is this an insufficient fluid intake but these drinks contain caffeine, a diuretic that actually causes dehydration! Therefore it is best to drink water in the morning rather than tea or coffee.
Most of us that have ever suffered from halitosis will likely have used mouthwash in our fight against stinky breath but did you know some mouthwashes can actually help the bacteria to grow? Alcohol based mouthwashes also cause dehydration and should be avoided.
If you skip to 4.00 minutes into the video below they talk about how to choose effective mouthwashes for the treatment of halitosis.
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Keep it Neutral
Another factor that will help the growth of the halitosis causing bacteria is the acidity of the mouth. More specifically, these bacteria will be able to rapidly reproduce in an acidic environment and for that reason it is imperative that we do our best to neutralize the pH of the mouth.
We should try to avoid foods and juices that are naturally acidic such as orange juice and sugars as these will worsen the problem. One way to create a more neutral environment is to use regular baking soda. Baking soda can be mixed into a paste to brush onto the teeth and tongue or into a solution that can be gargled and swished around the mouth.
Would You Like a Mint… No, Really PLEASE Take a Mint!
Perhaps your friends and work colleagues are just really generous people or maybe the reason they keep offering you mints and gum is because they can smell your breath. Either way, there is good reason why you should say no to these. While mints and mint flavored gum may give that instant minty fresh breath they are a short term fix. You see most of these products are packed full of sugar and as we said before, sugar makes the mouth more acidic and bad breath causing bacteria thrive in an acidic environment.
If you do need a short term temporary measure to treat halitosis use a sugar free gum. Chewing this will help moisten the mouth without adding to the acidity.
For more great tips on the best treatment for halitosis get your FREE 10 part mini course on the secrets of bad breath. Simply enter your name and email into the boxes on the right and it will be send to your inbox immediately.
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Causes of Halitosis – Understanding What Can Cause Halitosis
There are many causes of halitosis but not knowing what is causing your bad breath can be a very embarrassing and uncomfortable situation to be in. It often makes us very self conscious about speaking to people, especially closely and face to face, and can therefore have a negative impact on our social lives, relationships and performance at work.
It is no surprise then that most of us who find ourselves with a breath problem at some point will be looking for the fastest and easiest ways to get rid of it. However, in order to do that we need to have a clear understanding the causes of breath problems in general and more importantly, what the likely cause of our own bad breath is. This article aims to examine the many possible causes of bad breath so that you can better identify what may be causing your breath problem therefore putting you in a better position to treat the underlying cause.
Anaerobic Bacteria – One Of The Primary Causes of Halitosis?
The underlying cause of halitosis for most people is the presence of anaerobic bacteria which live and breed on the gums, cheek and tongue in the mouth. These bacteria like all living organisms feed and excrete waste. The food that this bacteria eats are proteins that can be found in the food we eat, dead skin cells, enzymes in saliva and blood cells. These enzymes digest these proteins and emit waste products in the form of Volatile Sulpher Compounds or VSL’s for short.
The excreted VSL’s are what cause the malodor of the mouth that we associate with halitosis. An example of a VSL is hydrogen sulfide. This VSL is what gives rotten eggs their foul stench and is just one of the many VSL’s secreted by the bacteria of the mouth.
The reason that it is so easy to notice these sulpher compounds is due to the fact that they are ‘volatile’ sulpher compounds. Volatile in this sense does not mean that they are easily flammable but rather they evaporate readily at room temperatures and diffuse quickly through the air and can subsequently noticed on the breath very easily by others.
These bacteria occur naturally and we all possess them to some degree but obviously those with bad breath are more greatly affected by them. In the following section we will attempted to examine what factors may contribute to the excessive growth of these bacteria and subsequently help cause halitosis.
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What Factors Influence the Development of Halitosis Causing Bacteria?
When it comes to identifying the cause of excessive bacteria in the mouth there are usually a number of common factors that are to blame the most common of which is simply poor dental hygiene. As we mentioned earlier, bacteria in the mouth can feed on particles of food left after a meal therefore is important to floss and brush properly so that these food particles can be removed.
Flossing is important because it helps to remove the particles of food from between the teeth that brushing would normally miss and would other wise be used as a source of food for the bacteria allowing them to feed, breed and excrete their VSL waste products. Brushing helps to ensure any particles of food on the chewing surfaces are swept away and can not be used by the bacteria.
Having a dry mouth can contribute to the development of halitosis as the bacteria that cause it are suited to a dry mouth and will thrive in such an environment. The dryness of the mouth can be influenced by a number of factors with a common one being age. Saliva production and excretion decreases naturally with age therefore it is important that we do not exacerbate the problem if we suffer from and want to get rid of halitosis.
Thinks like alcohol and even tea or coffee in the morning can all contribute as they are diuretics which means they cause dehydration. It would therefore be wise to drink water in the morning and throughout the day instead of your regular tea and coffee to keep breath problems to a minimum. Alcoholic drinks like beer, wine and spirits should be avoided to minimize the chances of morning breath ruining your day. Similarly, many mouthwashes are alcohol based but you should avoid using these and instead opt for a non-alcoholic, antibacterial mouthwash.
Other Causes of Halitosis – Avoiding Dreading Onion Breath!
Not all bad breath is truly halitosis as some breath problems are caused not by bacteria that live in the mouth but from other sources. Some foods contain volatile oils that when eaten can be smelt on the breath for a few days later. Two examples are onions and garlic, two foods that contain volatile oils. When we digest these foods the volatile oils enter the blood stream and circulate to the lungs where they diffuse into the air and can then be smelt on the breath.
To avoid this type of breath problem it is simply best to avoid these foods or you could try removing the germ of the garlic.
More Miscellaneous Causes of Halitosis
Other factors that can cause halitosis are sinus problems, throat infections and even diabetes. If you feel that your bad breath may be related to a more serious cause like this it is imperative you make arrangements to speak to a healthcare professional (dentist or doctor) as soon as possible as they are well trained in spotting the causes of halitosis and will be able to advise you, and your unique situation on your best course of action.
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