Top 5 Bad Breath Myths Debunked

Unfortunately for those struggling with chronic halitosis, or anyone who simply wants to get rid of bad breath, there are some prevalent misleading myths on the topic. These myths have been perpetuated for many years throughout our culture, so they can be difficult to dispel, but this blog post series hopes to do just that.

Maybe gargling with potent mouthwash everyday isn’t working for your chronic bad breath condition. The reason why could be bad breath myth #1....

1. Myth #1: Mouthwash eliminates severe bad breath

Sometimes, food gets stuck in our teeth and we use mouthwash to break up the bacteria that might form because of it. After all, many of our dentists told us to use mouthwash to aid in dental health. Our friends might say “use mouthwash before a date so you have good breath!” And it is true; food frequently becomes stuck between our teeth and that leads to an encrusting of bacteria, which can produce foul-smelling odors as the food decomposes. Unfortunately, this is something mouthwash cannot fix. In fact, most mouthwashes will actually exasperate the issue because the alcohol dries out the mouth and then your saliva glands cannot remove pre-existing or newly-forming bacteria. For dental care, mouthwash is still necessary and should be used - preferably an alcohol free mouthwash that promotes saliva production; however, do not rely on it to be one of your bad breath remedy.

2. Myth #2: If you blow into your hand, you can tell if you have bad breath

Cupping your hands and blowing into them to check if you have bad breath is an extremely ineffective and unreliable way to assess the odor of your breath. this is because your olfactory sense grows accustomed to the smells immediately nearby the nose, so you simply cannot smell your breath. A more reliable way to check for bad breath is to lick the back of your hand. Wait about 15 seconds for it to dry and then smell it. If it smells strange, you very well may have a breath problem. Diagnosing bad breath is the first step to cure bad breath and from here, you can find effective bad breath solutions to the problem.

3. Myth #3: Chronic bad breath is a hygiene problem

Common bad breath solutions you may hear may sound like “brush and floss your teeth more!” but these sorts of statement are ignorant to the real issue. The majority of my patients practice very good oral hygiene. Their chronic halitosis is typically linked to a genetic or physiological issue.

4. Myth #4: Bad breath is caused by certain foods

Now, it is very clear that after consuming some onion or garlic one’s breath may temporarily smell like that item and some foods actually produce a strong odor as our bodies break them down, but this is a temporary issue. When talking about halitosis, or chronic bad breath, certain foods – like garlic or onions – are not the root cause. Avoiding those foods is not a way to cure bad breath for chronic sufferers of halitosis.

5. Myth #5: There is no cure for bad breath

You can cure bad breath and chronic halitosis... the trick is diagnosing the root cause. If you suspect that your halitosis is something more than the occasional case of morning breath, I encourage you to seek out treatment at a clinic specializing in bad breath. If you cannot make it to a physical clinic, there are a number of home treatments for bad breath worth looking into. Receive a free phone consultation regarding your bad breath problem by calling 1-888-373-7403.

Stay tuned for the next blog on the REALITY behind these bad breath myths.

About the Author: Dr. Anthony Dailley has been practicing dentistry for over 30 years and conducts research pertaining to bad breath treatments and remedies at the California Pacific Lab. Dr. Dailley holds a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from San Francisco State University as well as a dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr Dailley specializes in curing chronic bad breath and founded the nationally acclaimed Center for Breath Treatment.

How to Approach a Friend with Bad Breath

Halitosis, or bad breath, affects more than 90 million people in the United States though many people remain unaware as to how to treat and live with this condition. The good news is that remedies exist for bad breath and it is fixable; the bad news is that few people want to talk about it. Unfortunately, with the vast amount of people suffering from unpleasant odor emission when breathing, just as many bystanders experience the smell. Many times, people with halitosis are unaware they have bad breath because an individual becomes accustomed to one’s own odor. More often than not, friends, family and colleagues, in an attempt to be sensitive and avoid uncomfortable conversations, tend to avoid and draw back from the person suffering from halitosis.

If you notice a close friend or family member exhibiting signs of chronic halitosis (foul odor from the mouth that cannot be eliminated with normal oral hygiene products), you should address them. Getting up the courage to discuss a potentially awkward topic will be hard, but the payoff for your friend will be worth it. Think about it – wouldn’t you want someone to tell you so you could learn how to get rid of bad breath ?

There are a few ways to go about speaking to someone about their bad breath.

Be clear and honest. Find a time where the two of you are in private where you can bring up this potentially embarrassing problem. Start the conversation letting the person know that you noticed the bad breath and weren’t sure if he or she was aware. Let the person know that there is a remedy for halitosis and medical solutions to help fight the smell.

Or you could pull the passive, more inconspicuous route to bringing up bad breath. Offer a piece of gum to a friend, or suggest brushing teeth after going out for a meal. If the friend denies, through in a friendly “I think that you need to.” This slyly brings up the topic without having to talk about the bad breath.

A final way to bring up a friend’s bad breath is to naturally bring up bad breath in an everyday conversation. Inquire and investigate what your friend knows on the cures for halitosis, the medical signs of bad breath and how to remedy and fix bad breath. If your friend is blissfully unaware, bring up some ways to self diagnose bad breath.

I think direct and honest is always the best approach, even if it may be uncomfortable for a short bit of time. Being passive and indirect may eventually lead your friend to figure out he or she suffers from chronic foul breath, but they also may miss your hints entirely. Figure out the best approach that works with your conversational style and remember, be kind.

If your friend listens and wants to know more, let them know about The Center for Breath Treatment. Additionally, if your friend has a raspy voice and has experienced post nasal drip, bad breath is an inevitable side effect. Talk to them about sinus and nasal irrigation systems which help combat bad breath as a result of post nasal drip. The link between bad breath and nasal systems is strong and is worth researching.

For more information on bad breath solutions and products, visit The Center for Breath Treatment online or call 1-888-373-7403.

About Dr. Dailley: Dr. Dailley has been practicing dentistry since 1981 and founded the Center for Breath Treatment in 1996. He holds a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology from San Francisco State University as well as a Dental Degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley is performs on-going halitosis research for both the Center of Breath Treatment and NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, a publicly traded biopharmaceutical company where he serves on the Board of Directors.