Halitosis is a term used to define bad breath. According to studies conducted, halitosis effects about 85% of people who have one or more dental problems. The problems include: oral cancer, periodontal (gum) disease, cavities, bacteria on the tongue and/or generally, poor dental hygiene. Practicing a good oral hygiene program which includes regular dental checkups and cleanings, flossing daily, and brushing your teeth & tongue at least twice a day can help to reduce and even eliminate halitosis.
Some at home strategies to help you combat halitosis include:
Diet and Nutrition
Eating a healthy breakfast that includes "rough" foods such as dry toast or a bagel. This will help clean the back of the tongue.
Cleaning the Tongue
Many of the bacteria which causes bad breath can be attributed to the tongue. Clean the surface of the tongue at least twice a day using a tongue brush, scraper or cleaner, such as the OraSweet Tongue Cleaner. These items are designed to remove bacterial biofilm, debris and mucus on the tongue area. In the absence of a tongue cleaner, using an inverted teaspoon, is also an effective replacement. In addition, try applying a small amount of antibacterial mouth rinse or tongue gel onto the tongue surface to decrease the amount of bacteria on this area. Note: Never use a toothbrush to clean the tongue - the bristles may scrape the tongue, causing damage.
Sugarless Gum
Use sugarless gum to increase saliva production. A dry mouth increases bacterial buildup that can make bad breath even worse. It has been suggested that chewing sugarless gum, which helps in the production of saliva, be used. Chewing is particularly helpful when the mouth is dry, or when it is not convenient to practice oral hygiene care (e.g., after high protein latent meals). Chewing helps promote the production of saliva, which contains antibacterial properties that can helps to reduce the amount of bacteria in the mouth. Some chewing gums may also contain anti-odor ingredients. In the absence of chewing gum, fennel seeds, cinnamon sticks, or fresh parsley are common folk remedies that have been used.
Use Mouthwash
Use an effective mouthwash, especially at night - right before going to bed. According to some studies conducted, there are several types of mouthwashes on the market that have been shown to reduce bad breath for hours. Note: Some mouthwash may contain ingredients that become inactivate when having contact with most toothpastes. It is highly recommended that you not use mouthwash directly after toothbrushing your teeth. Instead, rinse the mouth thoroughly with water after brushing your teeth - then follow up with mouthwash or mouth rinse. See the product label for more information on how to use the product. Some mouthwashes may contain antibacterial agents such as cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorhexidine, zinc gluconate, essential oils, and chlorine dioxide. They may also contain alcohol, which is a drying agent and may worsen the problem. Again, be certain to check the product label for indepth information to ensure that you are purchasing the correct product for your needs.
Consume lots of H2O
Make sure you maintain the proper water levels in the body - drink at least 8 glasses of water a day to help flush out toxins. Colon Complex and Dual Action Cleanse are two products on products on the market designed for cleansing the body.
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Oral Hygiene Program
Follow a good oral hygiene program. This includes, brushing at least three times a day with a product such as AloeDyne™, a . AloeDyne™ Toothpaste is certified organic and with regular use, naturally helps against the causes of cavities, plaque, tartar, gum problems, bad breath and discoloration. You should also floss daily, and visit your dentist for annual checkups and dental cleanings. If you wear dentures, they should be cleaned and soaked overnight in an appropriate denture solution. Go here for more information on taking care of your dentures. For your convenience, below are video presentations which demonstrate proper brushing and flossing techniques. Click on the arrow in the center of the screen to play. Additional videos can be found here. Feel free to share this information with family and friends and sign up for the Dental Clinic Manager newsletter. Get the latest lowdown on free and affordable dental care as it becomes available.
How to Brush your Teeth
How to Floss your Teeth
Other items that have been suggested for combating bad breath include the use of odor eliminators, like oxidizers, to eliminate existing bad breath. Rinses in this category include TheraBreath™ and Closys II™. Flossing is important for removing food debris and bacterial plaque in between the teeth, especially at the gumline. The OraSweet Flossing Toothbrush is the only toothbrush that brushes and flosses at once. While this item is not designed to replace the flossing process, you must still do that, it greatly enhances the effect of flossing. Learn more.
