Is Your Bad Breath Effecting Your Career? Are You Not  Advancing In Your Career?

Bad breath or halitosis can be extremely embarrassing and even debilitating for some. We all have been in a situation when we are close to someone and have noticed a pungent odor coming from their breath. It can be strong enough that you have to take a step back, but we never said anything. We are too embarrassed for this person, and the situation turns into an awkward situation. You may have experienced this problem yourself, and it can have wide reaching effects on your ability to advance in your job. Over the years we have had many of my patients confide in me that they used to be out going, a get the job done type of person who sets their sights high and would have no trouble achieving their goals. With chronic halitosis they have become isolated and stagnant. There is fear of communication with coworkers and  groups situations and office  presentations are unbearable and holds them back. Many of our patients confided that they have missed out on promotions within their companies and were unable to advance themselves. This was  all do to their chronic halitosis condition. It can cause you to become self-conscious when it comes to interacting with people and clearly insecure. Socializing and networking are two important aspects of most careers, and this can come to a grinding halt with a bad breath problem. Well the good news is there is a solution and you can find the help you need to jump start your career and your social life right here with Dr. Dailley at the Center for Breath Treatment.

 

How can I tell if I have bad breath?

Unfortunately there is no simple test that is effective you can do yourself to test for breath odors. There are many misconceptions about ways to check breath odors. Licking of your hand is the biggest misconception. You must get outside feedback- Ask some one if your breath has any odors and have them describe the odors. 

 

What Could be Causing my Bad Breath

The causes of your bad breath are due to over abundance of oral bacteria. Each individual has at least 3-5 issues that are causing those levels to be high. Examples of a few are: 

• Low Saliva flow or Dry Mouth

• Longer taste bud or geographic tongue

• Sinus Drainage or Post-Nasal Drainage

       A proliferation of volatile sulfur compounds that are produced by halitosis causing bacteria produce.The higher the the concentration of these anaerobic bacteria the more more sulfur compounds and the stronger the odor.

 

So how do I go about treating my bad breath?

Treating your bad breath is not as easy as brushing and flossing your teeth or using over-the-counter mouth rinses. Most the patients we see with this problem have immaculate oral hygiene so brushing more frequently is not the answer. You have to physically alter that oral environment so that those bacteria can not survive at a level which will produce a malodor.

You need an expert in the field to know what is causing your problem and treat those causes once they are understood. At the Center for Breath Treatment  you get an accurate diagnosis followed by an effective comprehensive treatment approach. This is the only way to effectively treat your halitosis condition without guess work.  Dr. Dailley can then devise your treatment program specific to your needs and achieve the results that you have waited so long for… Halitosis free breath. No more dreading going to work. No more constant worrying every time your in a public situation about your breath.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

Why Does My Breath Get Better After Taking Antibiotics?

From time to time patients will ask us why their halitosis condition improved while

taking antibiotics for an infection. This phenomenon is not uncommon and there are

good reasons why it occurs. When taking an antibiotic it is important to understand

that the effect of the antibiotic will not be localized to the area where the infection

is. Antibiotics will travel throughout your entire body via your blood stream and

affect bacteria throughout your entire body. If you are taking an antibiotic that is

effectve against gram (-) anaerobic bacteria, which are the ones that produce

halitosis odors, then anywhere in the body where this type of bacteria exist will

experience a significant drop in numbers.


A good example is someone might have been taking an antibiotic for a sinus

infection and at the same time notice that their halitosis condition improved or even

went away while using the antibiotics. One of the common myths we hear is that a

bacteria called  H. Pylori, which is found in the stomach and is responsible for stomach

ulcers, is the cause of halitosis. This couldn’t be further from the truth. What happens is

the individual is given antibiotics to eliminate the H. Pylori and heal the ulcer but at the

same time they also find that their halitosis is eliminated. The logic is that since the H. Pylori

were eliminated as well as their breath condition, then the H. Pylori bacteria must

have been the cause of their halitosis. In reality what was happening was the

antibiotic being used against the H. Pylori was also effective against the halitosis

causing bacteria, and while the H. Pylori were being killed off so were the gram (-)

anaerobic bacteria in their mouth that were producing their breath problem.


About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

If My Floss Smells Does That Mean I Have Bad Breath?

A common assumption that many of our patients have made is that if their floss has a bad odor on it after flossing then this automatically means they have an accompanying breath problem. Well the answer is…… maybe. Having a bad odor on your floss does not necessarily mean you have a bad breath condition, but is also not a good thing to have an odor on your floss after flossing. There are a few reasons why someone might have a bad odor on their floss.

The most common reason for malodor on the floss is gum disease or periodontal disease. The anaerobic bacteria that are responsible for gum disease reside under the gums and these produce what are known as volatile sulfur compounds, otherwise known as VSCs. The VSCs that are produced by these anaerobic bacteria are the same ones that are produced by the anaerobic bacteria that are responsible for causing halitosis, and the odors are quite similar. It’s easy to see how odors found on one’s floss can be misconstrued as being related to a halitosis condition. It is important to understand that if a gum disease condition is advanced enough, or enough teeth are involved, a breath condition may occur.

It is also not uncommon, especially in people who don’t floss enough, for the anaerobic bacteria to accumulate under the gums. The accumulation may not be sufficient enough to produce a condition of periodontal disease but there may be odors (VSCs) accumulating under the gums. When the floss is placed under the gums during normal flossing the odors can get on the floss and this may be noticeable when you smell the floss. Having odors on the floss is not a good thing because it means the bacterial activity under the gum tissues is increasing, and of course this can lead to gum disease. Regular twice a day flossing will help with this. Also a unique device called a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator can eliminate the odors emanating from the gums and drastically decrease the bacterial load in a matter of days. We commonly recommend this device to our patients as part of their treatment to eliminate their halitosis. It is also commonly used to treat patients with periodontal disease.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

WHAT'S THAT COATING ON MY TONGUE???

Nobody wants a white coated tongue.  A white coated tongue does not look normal or healthy and can be a strong indicator of bad breath. The microbes that live on your tongue are often referred to as "bad breath factories." The anaerobic bacteria that are responsible for producing bad breath odors can be present in vast numbers on the tongue and can release large quantities of waste compounds that form what is known as a bio-film on the surface of the tongue. This bio-film is actually an accumulation of bacteria, bacterial waste products, and mucus. There is a clear and direct link between the biofilm on the tongue and bad breath so removing this biofilm and preventing the accumulation of bacteria on the tongue is paramount to having fresh breath.

People who have the condition known as geographic tongue are definitely more likely to experience a white or splotchy looking tongue. Geographic tongue is simply a tongue that has lots of grooves and fissures and white patches on it. These grooves and fissures make for an excellent breeding ground for the anaerobic bacteria to thrive, and these bacteria have the ability to produce bad breath odors and a white tongue. People who have geographic tongues often have patchy areas of the tongue that have proliferating taste buds that tend to trap anaerobic bacteria. A recent study published by the American Dental Association confirmed that people whose tongues contain large colonies of anaerobic bacteria more often have stronger smelling breath than those whose tongues are clean.

HOW DO YOU TREAT THE BIOFILM THAT IS RESPONSIBLE FOR CAUSING HALITOSIS?

If left alone the anaerobic bacteria will thrive and replicate in an oral environment that has a low pH (acidic). The more acidic your mouth is, the more likely the bacteria will reproduce and develop in greater numbers. A low pH environment will often occur when you have low salivary flow, and this is one of the most common causes of bad breath. An excellent product called Basic Bites has proven very helpful in neutralizing the oral pH levels. There are also some excellent saliva stimulating products available to assist in improving salivary flow.

When treating bad breath it is important to address all the different causes that are altering your oral environment. There are many potential causes and people suffering from halitosis usually have 3-5 different factors that are responsible their bacterial levels being elevated. It is important to find the right professional that understands the microbiology behind halitosis and have them successfully diagnose and treat your condition. At the Center for Breath Treatment Dr Dailley has been doing just that for the last 19 years, and focuses on first determining what the causes of the condition are before treating it.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

KISSING, DATING, AND BAD BREATH

Bad breath can at times be a pretty noxious odor, and when we smell odors our body has a physical reaction. In short, our physical reaction is to repel from the noxious odor. When you are suffering from a case of bad breath, the last thing you want is your guy or gal pulling you in for a long, deep kiss. Talk about embarrassing!

In this world of dating you never, ever let a good egg go because of bad breath. This problem is very

While the relationship is new and there is a lot of spontaneous kissing, dealing with some bad breath or even bad kissing may be a necessity that you need to confront. If your new guy or girl has a personality that turns you on and interests you, it’s worth addressing it right up front so you can move on with the relationship. Putting this discussion off until later only makes it that much more difficult. To deal with your date’s bad breath, the technique I recommend involves a mix of breezy nonchalance with outright honesty. Go in for a quick kiss and then pull back, saying, “Hey, I think your breath might be a bit funky". It's likely they are unaware of the problem so be constructive and not critical.


So, how do you fix it?

Start by brushing your teeth -- and tongue -- twice a day to banish bad breath. While you’re brushing your teeth with a fluoride toothpaste, brush your tongue – especially the back of the tongue.

Floss a minimum of at least once a day for fresh breath. Flossing is must-do. Flossing gets out hidden food particles and removes plaque which is a coating of bacteria that forms around the teeth. Flossing also helps prevent periodontal disease. Even better is to use a device called a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator. The Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator will reduce overall bacteria in the mouth that cause tooth decay, gum disease, and halitosis by almost 50%!

Drink lots of water to help avert a bad breath condition. "Lack of fluids or a low salivary flow can lead to dry mouth (xerostomia) and produce bad breath. Sometimes drinking lots of water is not enough to overcome a dry mouth condition, but sometimes special saliva stimulating products may prove to be necessary. Many prescription medications are also know to have xerostomia as a side effect. Some common examples include blood pressure medications, antidepressants, anti anxiety medications.

Chew gum with xylitol to banish bad breath. Chewing gum makes you salivate if your mouth is dry and causing bad breath. Saliva is what washes away the bacteria in your mouth and helps maintain a balanced pH level. This is a good quick fix when you're in a jam.

See your dentist. at least every six months, see your dentist for teeth cleaning and an oral exam.

And if this does not solve you or your significant other's bad breath issue then what you are experiencing is not tour average case of bad breath. It is chronic halitosis and this needs a professional who specializes in that area of dentistry to get down to the root of your breath problem.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.

A New Breakthrough in The Battle Against Chronic Halitosis

After months of clinical testing at the Center for Breath Treatment we have introduced a new product designed to counter the effects that dry mouth (xerostomia) conditions have on halitosis, and also the effects caused by the acids produced from tooth decay causing bacteria. Over the many years of treating halitosis we have found that a xerostomia is the most common contributor to halitosis. Developed after 40 years of research on saliva chemistry at Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine in New York, BasicBites™ which is a sugar free chocolate flavored soft chew, helps maintain the proper acid-base (pH) levels that are that are necessary for good oral health and the prevention of bad breath conditions. When the oral cavity experiences a reduction in salivary flow the pH in the oral cavity becomes more acidic, and this increases the risk of gum disease, tooth decay and halitosis. The more acidic oral environment results in an overgrowth of the gram (-) anaerobic bacteria (halitosis causing bacteria) in the mouth. Gram (-) anaerobic bacteria are the bacteria responsible for producing the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) that produce halitosis. Another benefit of BasicBites™  is its ability to neutralize the acidic effects commonly caused by "sports" or "power" drinks. These drinks are very acidic and are known to produce pitting in the teeth, especially in children.

     The saliva-mimicking technology in BasicBites™ consists of two main ingredients – arginine bicarbonate and calcium carbonate. Arginine is an amino acid found in saliva and naturally present in many foods. When used twice a day, BasicBites™, will support the proper pH levels on the surfaces of the oral cavity. Keeping the pH of the surfaces of the teeth balanced is extremely important in preventing tooth decay. The bacteria responsible for dental decay produce acids that dissolve the enamel and produce what is commonly referred to as a cavity. BasicBites™ will produce a thin alkali coating that coats the teeth and other surfaces in the mouth and counters the acids being produced by these bacteria. By countering the acidic pH levels found in the mouth of people with xerostomia, BasicBites™ will reduce the overall levels of anaerobic bacteria which ultimately reduces the volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) being produced. BasicBites™ will not increase salivary flow but rather deals with the effects caused by low salivary flow. To improve salivary flow see some of our saliva stimulating products on our web site. These products have been proven to be the best products for countering xerostomia. BasicBites™ also provides calcium to the diet, and studies show that many adults today have insufficient levels of calcium in the bodies and need to take calcium supplements, especially post-menopausal women.  Each BasicBites™ has 20 calories.

About the author: Dr. Anthony Dailley is a practicing general dentist in Berkeley California. He has been practicing since 1981 and graduated from San Francisco State University with a degree in Cell & Molecular Biology, and obtained his dental degree from the Pacific School of Dentistry. Dr. Dailley also holds a fellowship position with the International Congress of Oral Implantologist (ICOI). Dr. Dailley has also been a founder in a biotech company called NovaBay Pharmaceuticals and was a member of their board of directors from 1997 -2014.