bad breath relief : The-Counter Mouthwashes
The Truth About Over-The-Counter Mouthwashes
People often combat chronic bad breath using mouthwash as their weapon of choice. Ironically, most commercial mouthwashes are useless in eliminating chronic bad breath.
Recent studies have reported that mouthwashes only temporarily mask the odor of bad breath for as little as 10 minutes after brushing. In fact, because they contain alcohol, mouthwashes can actually make the situation worse by drying out the mouth creating a more hospitable environment for odor causing bacteria.
A new breed of mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide, however, have proven very effective in combating bad breath. These mouthwashes do not mask bad breath odor like conventional mouth washes. Instead, the chlorine dioxide in these rinses directly attacks the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath .
Post-Nasal Drip
The nose can contribute to bad breath. Thick mucus discharge resulting from colds, allergies, medications, pregnancy or hormonal changes can collect on the back of the tongue. This layer of mucus provides a protective blanket under which bacteria hide. Bacteria can also break down proteins in the mucus to create volatile sulfur particles.
Sometimes mucus, bacteria, and debris condense onto the surface of the tonsils forming small hard balls of material. Known as tonsilloliths, these odorous balls of material are sometimes coughed up.
Using an over-the-counter nasal spray helps thin out post-nasal drip making it less useful to odor causing bacteria. Drinking water may also make mucus less viscous and therefore less likely to collect on the back of the tongue.
Periodontal Disease - A Treatable Cause of Bad Breath
If you try:
Staying away from certain foods that are known to cause bad breath,
Removing bacteria and food particles by brushing your teeth and flossing,
Removing bacteria from the tongue,
Making sure that your mouth does not become too dry (maintaining saliva flow),
and still have bad breath, you may want to see your dentist. This is because anaerobic bacteria in your mouth may have found special places to hide. Normally there is a small 1-3 mm space between your gums and teeth. This is known as the periodontal pocket or pocket for short. When pockets get to be 5mm or more they create deeper and more secluded hiding places for bacteria.
Your dentist should be able to detect these periodontal pockets during a routine gum exam. These areas are difficult to keep clean and may create a continuous supply of sulfur gases. The more areas that you have harboring these bacteria, the worse the breath.
What creates these widened pockets which harbor bacteria? These deep pockets often result from the breakdown of the gums caused by periodontal disease.
If you have persistent bad breath, you should definitely see your dentist to find out if you have periodontal disease. Other symptoms of periodontal disease include:
Swollen or bleeding gums
Tender gums
Loosening and shifting teeth
Sensitive teeth
Pain upon chewing
If you have periodontal disease, your dentist can help you treat it and consequently treat the bad breath associated with it.
Copyright 1998, 1999 - Market Access-----
People often combat chronic bad breath using mouthwash as their weapon of choice. Ironically, most commercial mouthwashes are useless in eliminating chronic bad breath.
Recent studies have reported that mouthwashes only temporarily mask the odor of bad breath for as little as 10 minutes after brushing. In fact, because they contain alcohol, mouthwashes can actually make the situation worse by drying out the mouth creating a more hospitable environment for odor causing bacteria.
A new breed of mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide, however, have proven very effective in combating bad breath. These mouthwashes do not mask bad breath odor like conventional mouth washes. Instead, the chlorine dioxide in these rinses directly attacks the volatile sulfur compounds responsible for bad breath .
Post-Nasal Drip
The nose can contribute to bad breath. Thick mucus discharge resulting from colds, allergies, medications, pregnancy or hormonal changes can collect on the back of the tongue. This layer of mucus provides a protective blanket under which bacteria hide. Bacteria can also break down proteins in the mucus to create volatile sulfur particles.
Sometimes mucus, bacteria, and debris condense onto the surface of the tonsils forming small hard balls of material. Known as tonsilloliths, these odorous balls of material are sometimes coughed up.
Using an over-the-counter nasal spray helps thin out post-nasal drip making it less useful to odor causing bacteria. Drinking water may also make mucus less viscous and therefore less likely to collect on the back of the tongue.
Periodontal Disease - A Treatable Cause of Bad Breath
If you try:
Staying away from certain foods that are known to cause bad breath,
Removing bacteria and food particles by brushing your teeth and flossing,
Removing bacteria from the tongue,
Making sure that your mouth does not become too dry (maintaining saliva flow),
and still have bad breath, you may want to see your dentist. This is because anaerobic bacteria in your mouth may have found special places to hide. Normally there is a small 1-3 mm space between your gums and teeth. This is known as the periodontal pocket or pocket for short. When pockets get to be 5mm or more they create deeper and more secluded hiding places for bacteria.
Your dentist should be able to detect these periodontal pockets during a routine gum exam. These areas are difficult to keep clean and may create a continuous supply of sulfur gases. The more areas that you have harboring these bacteria, the worse the breath.
What creates these widened pockets which harbor bacteria? These deep pockets often result from the breakdown of the gums caused by periodontal disease.
If you have persistent bad breath, you should definitely see your dentist to find out if you have periodontal disease. Other symptoms of periodontal disease include:
Swollen or bleeding gums
Tender gums
Loosening and shifting teeth
Sensitive teeth
Pain upon chewing
If you have periodontal disease, your dentist can help you treat it and consequently treat the bad breath associated with it.
Copyright 1998, 1999 - Market Access-----
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