Don't Give Your Beau the Kiss of Death
Get the Low-down on Bad Breath
and How to Combat It!
On any given day, millions of people pop a breath mint, or use a spritz of breath freshener in an effort to combat the ill effects of halitosis, or bad breath as it is more commonly known. Unfortunately, what many people don'tseem to realize is that halitosis can't be solved by a quick fix. Its cause can be related to any variety of factors including diet, poor dental hygiene, and other potentially serious health risks.
What is Halitosis? In a nutshell, halitosis is simply the clinical term for bad breath. This embarrassing malady occurs if plaque inside the mouth is not taken care of on a routine basis. Dr. Marc Liechtung, a cosmetic dentist in Manhattan explains: "Every time you eat something, the bacteria normally present in the mouth breaks down the food products while chewing. Without proper oral care and hygiene, the waste products left behind cause smelly breath, i.e., halitosis." With continued neglect, the opportunity for a person to develop gum disease, and tooth decay increases, as gum pockets develop around and between the teeth. This provides a perfect breeding ground for plaque build-up and bacterial growth.
What is the biggest misconception concerning Halitosis? "Most people aren't aware of the fact that halitosis can be symptomatic of underlying medical conditions," suggests Dr. Liechtung. Recent studies have determined that bad breath is a possible precursor to certain ailments such as stomach conditions. There has also been a direct proven link to heart attacks, strokes, and certain forms of diabetes. Given this possible connection, it is important to examine what factors may be contributing to a person's bad breath. Certain foods like onions and garlic are harder for the body to digest, and tend to be released over time through various outlets in the body. Common medications like antibiotics and antidepressants have also been found to cause halitosis. Smokers are also at risk for halitosis due to the adherence of tar and nicotine to tissues inside the mouth. "These are all common factors that people should take into consideration after they have examined their brushing habits," adds Dr. Liechtung.
So how about a Tic-Tac? The key to kicking bad breath is not buying into the "quick-fixes" readily available to the average consumer. "Products like Altoids or Tic-Tacs just temporarily mask the problem," explains Dr. Liechtung. He adds, "they eliminate bad breath for the ten minutes you'rekissing your boyfriend or girlfriend, but ten minutes later your bad breath is back again. Most of these products do little if anything to stop the growth of bacteria in the mouth." Then what does work? Old stand-by's like Listerine have proven to be an effective measure in combating halitosis, as well as newer dental products containing chlorine dioxide. These product works by breaking down sulfur compounds that exist inside thebacteria within the mouth. For those looking for a natural means to combat bad breath, new herbal products have recently been introduced that have also proven to be an effective means of eliminating halitosis.
For those who want to combat bad breath naturally, they might try natural mint mouthwash by Aubrey Organics. This is an herbal mouthwash that cleanses mouth and gums and keeps breath fresh with all natural ingredients. It freshens breath with menthol, clove and wintergreen oils in a witch hazel base. An added bonus, it soothes gums with cooling peppermint oil and is a great alternative to synthetic mouthwashes.
The Bottom-line on bad breath? Dr. Liechtung's advice: "The most important thing one can do to eliminate a potentially embarrassing situation like halitosis, is to see your dentist regularly. Have a dental hygienist showyou how to brush your teeth properly. Using reliable products on the market should compliment oral hygiene practices, not become a substitute." It's only after these measures fail, that an individual should consult aphysician with any potential medical concerns. Following this sound advice, one can't help but move from being a "Mr.Yuck Mouth", to a "Mr. Yes Mouth".
