How to Get Rid of Bad Breath: Tips for Relieving Transient Bad Breath

There are two types of bad breath, transient and chronic. Transient bad breath, as the name implies, is a temporary condition. Transient bad breath may be caused by a variety of factors including, but not limited to dietary habits, inadequate oral hygiene, dehydration and certain prescription medications. Chronic bad breath also known as chronic halitosis is a long lasting and recurrent condition frequently caused by a proliferation of a specific types of bacteria residing in the mouth, gum disease, or an underlying medical condition. Unfortunately, chronic bad breath may be difficult to treat and will most likely require that you visit a dental professional who is knowledgeable about halitosis to fully cure chronic bad breath. On the other hand, most causes of transient bad breath are highly treatable. Below are a few tips for getting rid of transient bad breath.

Dietary Habits

Simply avoiding pungent smelling foods such as onions and garlic is an easy way to avoid bad breath. If you’re suffering from frequent bad breath your may also want to avoid alcohol based mouth rinses, excessive drinking of alcoholic beverages, and spicy foods because these have been shown to cause transient bad breath as well. If you do not wish to modify your diet, you can always elect to chew medicated sugarless gum or fresh parsley in an attempt to mask any offensive odors. A really effective product we recommend for food induced odors is a product called Breath Gemz.

Oral Hygiene

Regular brushing and flossing is not only important for maintaining proper oral health, but will play a tremendous role in your efforts to combat bad breath. A high quality sonic toothbrush not only provide excellent cleaning, but will reduce hard to reach plaque and bacteria which frequently cause bad breath. Standard dental floss or better yet a hydro floss oral irrigator are excellent methods for improving overall oral health and alleviating bad breath too.

Dehydration

Dehydration is another common and often overlooked cause of bad breath that can easily be treated. When the body becomes dehydrated there is a decrease in saliva production which can cause an increase in the number of odorous bacteria residing in the mouth. Simply drinking a glass of water after each meal is a great way to promote adequate hydration and to prevent bad breath caused by dry mouth. If you’re suffering from frequent dry mouth due to factors other than dehydration such as an adverse reaction to a prescription medication you can use a saliva stimulating product such as SalivaSure, OraMoist, or Salese to promote proper saliva production. We do recommend adults to consume 8 glasses or 2 quarts of water per day.

Bad breath should be taken seriously as it can be an indicator of a more serious underlying medical condition. Various lung conditions, kidney problems and certain rare gastric issues can all cause bad breath. If you’re experiencing frequent bad breath and you are unsure as to what the underlying cause may be, we highly suggest you seek professional medical or dental treatment.

About the Author: Dr. Anthony Dailley has been practicing dentistry since 1981 and specializes in bad breath treatment. He has a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from San Francisco State University and a dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr Dailley founded the Center for Breath Treatment in the bay area and currently conducts research on curing halitosis at the California Pacific Lab facility in Novato California.

Sinus Irrigation - The Benefits of Effective Nasal Irrigation

Sinus irrigation, also known has nasal irrigation, is a procedure that clears the nasal passages of mucus and debris, yielding significant health benefits. The procedure is simple and with the right tools, can be performed safely in the home. There are several ways to perform a sinus rinse, starting with the very basic cupping water to the nose and inhaling. This approach is not very effective at clearing the nose, but can help to rehydrate the nasal cavities. A more effective method is the netti pot, an ancient yogic tool. This tea-pot like device channels salt-water solution into the nasal cavities which can clean out the passage and help reduce inflammation. The netti pot is acceptable for individuals with minor sinus issues and seasonal allergies, but individuals with chronic conditions will require a more effective system such as the Hydro-Pulse™ Nasal Irrigation System. The Hydro-pulse literally pulses saline solution through the sinus cavities, thus removing excess phlegm and mucus and promoting a healthy nasal environment.

There are many health and quality of life benefits to sinus irrigation, a few of which are outlined below.

Allergy Symptom Relief

The most common allergies are caused by dust, pollen and mold. These irritants are inhaled and embed within nasal mucus, resulting in congestion, post nasal drip, irritation and swelling. While many allergy medications simply counteract symptoms, an effective sinus irrigation system gets to the very root of the problem and removes the allergens. The end result is fewer allergy symptoms, a healthy sinus environment and fewer sinus infections. For this reason, you should conduct a sinus rinse every day during allergy season.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis is the persistent buildup of mucus in the sinus cavities, resulting in head-aches, discomfort and infections. Acute sinusitis last up to a month while chronic sinusitis lasts for months at a time. If you suffer from sinusitis, a daily sinus rinse is recommended by doctors to wash out the mucus that causes the buildup. Not only will it reduce infections but it will vastly improve your quality of life. I personally recommend that anyone with sinusitis invest in a Hydro-Pulse sinus and nasal irrigation system.

Chronic Bad Breathe

Allergies and sinusitis are a major cause of halitosis. When mucus builds up in the nose and mouth it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria. Bacteria build up in your mouth and on the back of your tongue is a major contributor to chronic bad breath. A sinus irrigation rinse has proven very effective in curing bad breath as it clears out the excess mucus in your nose, thus preventing the buildup of bacteria.

Respiratory Issues

Sinus irrigation is also known to improve many other respiratory ailments including common colds, hayfever, asthma, and bronchitis. I recommend sinus irrigation to all my patients, but especially those who have respiratory complaints. Nasal irrigation will help clear your sinuses and help you breath more clearly.

About the Author: Dr. Anthony Dailley has been practicing dentistry since 1981 and conducts research pertaining to bad breath treatments and remedies at the California Pacific Lab. He has a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from San Francisco State University and a dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr Dailley specializes in curing bad breath and founded the Center for Breath Treatment as well as NovaBay Pharmaceutical, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company.