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.

Tips for Treating Bad Breath

According to the American Dental Association somewhere between 35 and 45 percent of the population suffers from chronic halitosis. Bad breath can be a social obstacle and a source of anxiety. Gum and mouth washes only temporarily mask the problem. Halitosis is a persistent condition and always returns to create discomfort, shame and embarrassment.

There are a number of biological factors that may be contributing to your bad breath condition. The best strategic approach for treating chronic halitosis is visiting a specialist at a dedicated bad breath clinic. Only a specialist will be able to provide an accurate diagnosis as to the causes of your condition and an accurate diagnosis will allow you to determine which treatments will be most effective. (Be sure to choose a specialist that does not peddle their own brand of products! You want to find someone you can trust to honestly recommend treatments without any underlying conflicts of interest.)

If you cannot visit a specialist, the following are the best bad breath treatments available to you at home.

• Brush your teeth twice a day with a toothpaste that contains fluoride. Do not brush more than three times a day as it can damage your teeth and increase halitosis symptoms.
• If you wear dentures, be sure to soak them every night in a denture cleanser and brush all the areas of your mouth that come in contact with your dentures.
• Use a tongue scrapper or brush your tongue – especially towards the back– every morning.
• Floss every day. Better yet, use a Hydro Floss Oral Irrigator. These devices pulse ionized water molecules through the teeth creating a hostile environment for anaerobic bacteria.
• Use a non alcohol mouth wash that contains chlorine dioxide. (Alcohol based mouthwashes will actually make halitosis worse!) Not all chlorine dioxide formulations are the same nor are they all equally as effective.
• Have your teeth cleaned professionally every 6 months.
• If you suffer from allergies or have sinus issues, your sinuses may be contributing to your bad breath problem. In these cases, a nasal irrigation system can help flush out mucus and bacteria.
• If you suffer from xerostomia (aka dry mouth), a common side effect of medications, consider investing in products specifically formulated to relieve dry mouth such as saliva stimulating tablets, lozenges and sprays.

Still suffering from halitosis? Request an appointment to cure your bad breath problem by calling 1-888-373-7403. I am happy to provide free phone consultations as well.

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.