Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Do’s and Don’ts of Halitosis

If you have moderate to severe bad breath, you may be looking for a guide to help make living a normal life easier or how to cure bad breath. This article will detail some of the most important things you should be doing to minimize your bad breath as well as some things you should avoid. Everyone is different, but this guideline can get you feeling and breathing fresher now.

The Do’s of Halitosis
Do practice top oral care. Bacteria, germs and plaque buildup can really incubate bad breath and by brushing twice a day, flossing and using alcohol-free mouthwash at least once a day and visiting the dentist every six months, you can really improve your breath.


Do drink a lot of water. Water has numerous benefits when treating halitosis. It primarily keeps your mouth hydrated keeping xerostomia, or excessive dry mouth, at bay. Drinking water also has a natural rinsing element, removing the dental debris that makes your breath odorous.

Do brush your tongue. Tongue germs, fungi and bacteria can be a huge threat to your oral health and breath. It’s important to clean your tongue every time you brush your teeth. You can clean your tongue with your regular toothbrush or with a tongue scraper or cleaner.

Do eat fruits and veggies. Snacking on crunchy fruits and vegetables are an easy and healthy way to remedy bad breath. These options can help reduce plaque and they also stimulate the salivary glands.

Do see a specialized dentist. If you think you have chronic or severe halitosis, it’s a good idea to see a specialized dentist that can go over some halitosis remedies such as halitosis treatment kits.

Do chew mint, cloves or fennel seeds. Chewing on these natural herbs for a minute or so is a great way to freshen your breath and put a nice taste in your mouth.

Do seek treatment for chronic sinusitis or post nasal drip. Halitosis can be worsened by the biofilm in your mouth left behind from post nasal drip. If you have bad allergies or sinus infections, there is a good chance the two are linked.

Do consider extra oral causes of bad breath. Many cases of halitosis don’t have anything to do with your mouth. Bad breath can have a root cause in diabetes, cancer, liver failure or metabolic diseases. It’s important to consider your whole body when diagnosing your halitosis.

The Don’ts of Halitosis
Don’t smoke. Not only is tobacco putting a ‘smoky’ taste in your mouth, it is also causing your mouth to dry out, which causes bacteria and yeast to buildup in your mouth.

Don’t eat a lot of bad breath foods. Foods that are high in sulfur, like garlic and onions have long been known to cause bad food induced odors. The sulfur compounds linger in your mouth and can enter your bloodstream.

Don’t use halitosis-inducing medication. There are a number of known medications that can lead to dry mouth or halitosis. A few of these types of medications include Zocor, Prozac, Zoloft, Claritin and others. Be sure to ask your doctor or pharmacist if a side effect of your medicine includes dry mouth or halitosis.

Don’t drink alcohol or coffee in excess. Alcohol and coffee create an ideal environment for bacteria growth. They also cause dry mouth. If you drink a lot of coffee or alcohol, try reducing your consumption of these foods.

Don’t chew too much gum. While it is not bad to chew some sugarless gum now and then, do not rely on gum as your sole halitosis-fighting agent. Excessive gum chewing can lead to temporomandibular joint disorders which leads to bad bites and tooth fractures which lead to gum damage and cavities.

Don’t just focus on bad breath. If you’re trying to get rid of bad breath, don’t just try to cover it up! Get to the root of the problem by researching halitosis causes and determining what is causing yours.



About the Author: Dr. Dailley is a practicing dentist specializing in curing bad breath. He founded the Center for Breath Treatment as well as NovaBay Pharmaceutical, a publicly held biopharmaceutical company. Dr. Dailley also offers a variety of oral care products and halitosis remedies online available for purchase including the best bad breath treatment kit.

Monday, April 2, 2012

Complete Your Home Dental Care with Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator

According to the American Dental Association, 75% of Americans have some form of periodontal disease. Gum disease is the number one cause of tooth loss in adults. Brushing twice a day and flossing daily is essential for good oral care, but there are places where your brush and floss don’t reach. This area of the gums is called subgingival and for most people, the plaque and bacteria that gets built-up there is only addressed with a visit to the dentist.

Fortunately there are home-use products that allow you to clean this area. For patients, friends and family, I routinely recommend the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator.

What is a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator?
An oral irrigator is a handheld tool that allows you to apply water in a pressured, pulsating stream straight to the teeth. The stream cleans in between the teeth, on the surface and under the gums to areas where brushing and flossing don’t reach. The removal of this dental debris helps get rid of bad breath, improve gum health, and create a healthier oral environment.

The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator is an irrigator that uses hydromagnetic technology to remove tartar, plaque and bacteria built-up in your mouth.

How does the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator Work?
Your teeth have positive ions on the surface and bacteria that enters your mouth has negative ions. Just as positive and negative magnets attract, bacteria is attracted to your mouth. The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator is designed with a carefully calibrated magnet in the handle that changes the water’s polarity as it passes before hitting your teeth. In this way, the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator uses magnets and hydrodynamics to interrupt the bacteria-teeth attraction.

Who should be Using the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator?
The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator can and should be used by everybody. That being said, it is especially helpful for those that have:
  • Inflamed or bleeding gums
  • Chronic halitosis
  • Periodontal pockets
  • Crown and bridge work
  • Veneers
  • Orthodontic appliances

How is a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator Used?
The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator is simple to use. Start by adding tap water to the 800 milliliter reservoir and placing it securely on the unit. Place one of the tips on the end of the corded irrigator. Adjust the settings to desired pressure level and plug in the unit. When you are ready, turn the switch to "on" on the front. Using the attached tip, direct the pulsating stream a quarter of an inch from the flat surface of each tooth. You should be able to irrigate all of your teeth with the single reservoir in about 2 minutes.

How do I Care for my Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator?

Make sure to empty and dry the reservoir after every use. At least once a week, you should remove the reservoir and wash it and the used tips with warm, soapy water. Once the reservoir has been cleaned, fill it up with regular water and run the unit without the tip. Repeat the last step a second time to ensure it is clean.

When Should I Use the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator?

The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator should be used on a daily basis. It is best to use the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator in the evening before sleeping and after brushing and flossing. Should you need additional Hydro Floss Specialized Tips, you can purchase them separately.

Which Pressure Setting Should I Start with?

While the maximum setting of 60 psi has been proven to be completely safe for the gums, it is recommended to start with a setting of 5 and gradually increase the pressure level.

Should the Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator Replace Brushing & Flossing?

No. The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator is meant to supplement your existing oral regimen. It is essential that you brush twice a day, floss at least once a day and visit the dentist every 6 months.

About the Author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is received his dental degree from the University of the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley is a practicing dentist specializing in bad breath solutions and halitosis products. He also works with his patients offering products for dry mouth and teeth whitening products.