Thursday 2 December 2010

Health Q&A: Bad Breath (Halitosis)


Question - I have a problem with bad breath. I don’t smoke, drink only one cup of coffee per day and try not to eat any 'smelly’ foods such as garlic, but it doesn’t seem to help. If I can’t find the cause, could you suggest some natural ways of combating Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

There are many causes of bad breath or halitosis. Common problems are tooth or gum disease, an overly dry mouth or more rarely a medical condition such as diabetes or acid reflux. If you feel otherwise well, your symptoms may improve if you drink plenty of water, brush your teeth and tongue at least twice a day and chew a sugar-free gum to increase saliva production. Chewing on mint or parsley can help to disguise bad breath, too.


THE NUTRITIONAL THERAPIST Melanie Brown

Milk can often make breath smell, so try avoiding it for a while, or use lactose-free milk. After meals chew crunchy foods like plain nuts or crackers such as Ryvita to clean the mouth. Chewing parsley or orange peel also helps. Two useful supplements are chlorella (try Pukka) and bioacidophilus (try Bio-Kult). Flossing your teeth daily, using a tongue scraper in the morning and a chemical-free mouthwash like Tom’s of Maine can help.


THE NATUROPATH - Susan Curtis

Visit the dentist and find out if the problem is caused by teeth or gums. If gums, make a mouthwash by mixing tinctures of sage, myrrh and calendula. If your GP has ruled out any underlying problem, defective elimination is often the cause, in which case go on a gentle cleansing diet and take detoxing tinctures of dandelion and burdock three times daily for six weeks. Chew fennel or dill seeds after meals to stimulate digestion and sweeten breath.

Always consult a medical practitioner if your symptoms persist.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source The Telegraph

Copyright 2010

Monday 29 November 2010

Dehydration Puts Oral Health at Risk


In recent weeks, the Washington Redskins' star defensive end, Albert Haynesworth has missed several practices and other preseason activities due to severe dehydration. He missed the first nine days of training camp due in large part to the problem.

His experience with dehydration underscores a major issue that affects many athletes. Failure to drink enough fluids before vigorous physical activity can result in serious issues. It may be important for athletes to keep this in mind as they prepare to head out onto the playing field.

One of the first warning signs of dehydration is dry mouth. Athletes may find that they have trouble swallowing, and their teammates may notice that they have bad breath, which is a product of dry mouth.

While dry mouth may be a symptom of a larger problem, if athletes regularly experience the condition due to poor hydration, it may lead to more serious complications. A mouth that is not producing saliva becomes an ideal breeding ground for bacteria. Many of these microbes cause infections that may lead cavities and gingivitis.

With the summer coming to a close, students across the country are heading back to school. High school students in particular will be rejoining their teams. Many will work out and participate in practices in the late afternoon heat after classes. The need for these children to maintain adequate hydration is great, considering the complications it can cause.

However, they are not being given a good role model. Many high school football players look up to and admire professional athletes. By failing to take proper care of himself and monitor his hydration levels, Haynesworth has missed an opportunity to move the matter into the public consciousness.

While some pro-athletes may fail at this, other individuals are working to bring hydration out into the public eye. "Thank God there are no fatalities in the football level so far. But in the northern part of the country, now is when high school practices start," Doug Casa, who researches the effects of dehydration, told USA Today.

However, he added that high school athletes would need to be careful to avoid the problem.

Athletes who are worried about the effects of dehydration can have on their oral health may benefit from looking into TheraBreath's line of mouthwashes that are specially formulated to moisten dry mouths. These products may help protect against these specific dangers of poor hydration.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Therabreath

Copyright 2010

Friday 26 November 2010

Glass of Milk Fights Garlic Odor Research Says


Scientist in a new study claims that drinking a glass of milk helps battle the lingering aroma of garlic in mouth.

The Journal of Food Science of the Researchers at Ohio State University stated that both non-fat and whole milk could counteract the chemical components of garlic that gives its strong smell. Garlic is used worldwide because of its pungent flavor as seasoning. Its flavor differs in strength and aroma with the different cooking techniques.

Researchers stated that to achieve the optimum effect, sip milk while munching garlic at the same time. It is more effective when you mix garlic and milk in the mouth before swallowing than drinking milk after eating garlic.

The allyl methyl sulphide (AMS) is the chemical found in garlic that milk counteracts. It is a metabolite of garlic and responsible for the “garlic odor”. In the process of metabolizing garlic, AMS is absorbed in the blood, travels through the lungs and skin, and exudes in skin pores.

AMS is not broken down in the process of digestion thus, it is released in the form of sweat and gas. Studies say that garlic protects against cancer, urinary tract infections, and common colds. However, it can cause body odor and bad breath that lasts for hours and worst even for days.

Milk contains large amounts of saturated fat, protein and calcium as well as vitamin C.

Sheryl Barringer and Areerat Hansanugrum, authors of the study also suggest the use of plain water, mushrooms and basil to offset the effect of garlic in breath. On the other hand, combinations of fat and water found in milk has greater efficacy.

Barringer also sad that beverages and other food rich in water and fat content helps mask the flavor of garlic and eliminates the possibility of bad breath.


Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source TREND

Copyright 2010

Jesse James and Kat Von D heat things up in Texas


One of Hollywood's newest and hottest couples is Jesse James and Kat Von D. After a legendary breakup with one of America's sweethearts, the motorcycle riding bad boy has moved on to an occasional tattoo artist, model and reality television star.

While the couple is clearly too cool to worry about things like wearing a helmet while riding their bikes on a recent day out together in James' hometown of Fredericksburg, Texas, according to TMZ, you have to hope that they are not above practicing good oral health. The two were spotted several times locking lips in blatant public displays of affection, which could have been ruined had one of them had bad breath.

From the photos it is clear that the budding romance between James and Von D is progressing quickly. They clearly share many similar interests and enjoy doing the same things.

However, the quickest way to cool off a hot romance is to ignore hygiene problems like halitosis. Anyone who has recently started a new relationship should consider specialty breath freshening products, like those offered by TheraBreath.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source TheraBreath Blog

Copyright 2010

Denture Wearers Risk Oral Infections


Denture wearers may find it a daunting task to clean their dental appliances every single day. However, failure to do so could result in an oral environment that is a perfect breeding ground for many microbes, including some that cause bad breath.

In fact, studies have shown that the oral fungus Candida albicans - a type of yeast - grows particularly well on acrylic surfaces, such as those found in many dentures. When these appliances are poorly maintained, the fungus thrives.

"Very rarely, however, do people suspect that the bad condition of removable dentures and other dental appliances such as retainers and mouth guards may, besides bad breath, also cause serious mouth-related and general health problems," wrote Margaret Slubowski in Coquitlam Now.

She added that it can be difficult to properly clean dental appliances with traditional, commercially available oral care products, and that microbes that are left behind may transfer to the person's mouth.

Denture wearers may benefit from specialty breath freshening products, which are often able to kill a greater number of harmful dental microbes than traditional toothpastes and mouthwashes.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source TheraBreath

Copyright 2010

Wet Weather Causes Dry Mouth, Bad Breath (Halitosis)


As the warm, dry months of summer come to a close, residents in many parts of the country are bracing for wetter weather. While this may mean good things for their lawns and gardens, it may harm their oral health and contribute to bad breath.

Health experts warn that mold and allergen levels increase during times of wet weather, which can cause increased sinus congestion in many people. Vicki Coury, chair of the Department of Dental Hygiene at Oklahoma University, told HealthCannal.com that this increases mouth breathing, causing dry mouth.

"The obstruction of nasal passages naturally increases mouth breathing, which reduces the amount of saliva we produce and results in dry mouth," she told the news source. "Dry mouth is an oral health issue, because it increases a person's risk of gum disease, tooth decay and mouth infections."

She added that individuals who experience this problem should begin drinking more water throughout the day to moisten their mouth.

If water is not enough to resolve the problem, individuals may want to consider specialty breath freshening products. These mouthwashes are specially formulated to kill many of the bacteria that cause bad breath and gingivitis.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source TheraBreath

Copyright 2010

Pop culture reveals the problem of bosses with Bad Breath (Halitosis)



Recently a young women claiming to be the employee of the world's worst boss quit her terrible job by posting a series of photos to the online humor site, TheChive.com. In the photos she accused her boss of, among other things, having some of the worst halitosis she had ever smelled.

Her creative method for telling her boss off and quitting her job quickly became an internet sensation, being reported by countless websites and reposted to social networking sites like Twitter and Facebook. Unfortunately, it was revealed a couple days later that the whole thing was a hoax, and that the girl in the photos was a model hired to play the part.

While the specifics of the case may have been fictional, it seemed to have touched a nerve with the public. The way in which the woman brazenly quit her much-hated job while revealing some of her boss's more embarrassing secrets, like his bad breath, tapped into the desires of nation of workers who, for the most part, don't like their job or their boss.

The experience is apparently shared by many people, as it is often reflected in popular culture. On the second season of the television comedy series, The Office, the manager of the company is criticized for his halitosis. His workers say that he has coffee breath, and suggest that he needs to do something about it.

While many of us would love to get the opportunity to throw these issues in the face of our bosses, sadly, few of us will ever have the chance to do so. All those times when the manager is hovering over our shoulder, his halitosis filling the air with every word he speaks, we are powerless to speak up or call him out on the condition.

This is why these humorous examples of bad breath in the workplace have become so popular. Their characters speak for us when we are unable to do so. They alert the world to the plight of working under someone with bad breath while we remain silent. And most of all, they give us an opportunity to laugh at a situation that drives many people crazy.

If you are a boss reading this, you may want to pay more attention to your breath to prevent the silent wrath of your employees. TheraBreath's line of specialty breath freshening products that may help you avoid bad breath.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source TheraBreath Blog

Copyright 2010

Thursday 22 April 2010

Three Oral Health Care Tips for Kids for Life


St. Christopher's Foundation for Children Ronald McDonald(R)Care Mobile Presents 'Three Oral Health Care Tips for Kids for 2010'

PHILADELPHIA, Jan. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- To kick-off the New Year in a healthy way, Judy Gelinas, director of the St. Christopher's Foundation for Children's Community Oral Health Initiative, recommends that local parents have their children adopt the following three practices in 2010 as part of every New Year's Resolution:

Give your teeth a thorough daily cleaning! Keep gums and teeth clean to avoid decay, gum disease and bad breath. Use a soft-bristled toothbrush, working in small "jiggles" that reach the gums. Don't skip your back teeth. Even the best brushers need to use floss to clean between the teeth, wiping sides and wiggling under the gum line.

Select tooth-friendly beverages! Sugary drinks (even 100-percent fruit juice) feed the germs that cause decay. Carbonated drinks are very acidic, even if they are sugar-free. Save juices for meal time and soda for a special treat. If you need to be sipping all day, do your teeth a favor: Drink water!
Visit your dentist! In these tough economic times, don't think you are saving by skipping your six-month check up at the dentist. Preventing oral hygiene problems will save money in the end.

"Seventy-three percent of our seven-year-old patients come to us with cavities," said Gelinas. "Following good practices will not only keep children's teeth healthy, but also save parents money!"

The goal of St. Christopher's Foundation for Children's Community Oral Health Initiative is to improve the oral health of the community surrounding St. Christopher's Hospital for Children, a federally designated dental health provider shortage area. The five programs within the initiative stress early intervention and prevention of oral disease. One of those programs, the Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, provides comprehensive, quality dental treatment to more than 2,500 children each year, at no cost to their family.

About Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of the Philadelphia Region, Inc.

RMHC of the Philadelphia Region, Inc. grants hundreds of thousands of dollars per year to support non-profit programs that directly improve the health and well being of local children. The Charity also supports the Philadelphia, Southern New Jersey and Delaware Ronald McDonald Houses, in addition to the St. Christopher's Foundation for Children Ronald McDonald Care Mobile, and receives its support from McDonald's Corporation, McDonald's Owner/Operators, corporate donors and McDonald's customers.

For more information, visit www.rmhc.org.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source PR Newswire

Copyright 2010

What's Going Around


Local doctors explain what they're seeing in their offices this week.

Bronchitis is making the rounds in Lansing this week. That's what Dr. Thomas Stout at Mt. Hope Community Medical Center is treating patients for.

Symptoms include a cough that is dry or hacking at first, a mild fever, fatigue, wheezing while breathing, and hoarseness.

You may also feel tightness, burning or dull pain in the chest under the breastbone, which is usually worse when taking a deep breath or coughing.

You can treat most cases of acute bronchitis at home.

Drink plenty of fluids, and take an over-the-counter cough medicine with an expectorant if your doctor recommends it.

You can suck on cough drops or hard candies to soothe a sore throat.

In Okemos, it's sinus infections that are keeping Dr. James Brouillette at Ingham Primary Care Center busy this week.

The main symptoms are runny or stuffy nose, and pain and pressure in the head and face.

Other symptoms include a front headache with pressure behind the eyes, bad breath, dental pain, and reduced sense of taste or smell.

To treat sinusitis, drink plenty of fluids and take over-the-counter pain relievers as needed.

It might help to put a hot damp towel on the face, for five to 10 minutes a few times a day.

Saltwater nose drops can help wash out mucus.

Now, fever can be a symptom of a sinus infection or just a cold.

If you're congested and have a low-grade fever, you probably have a cold, and don't need special medicine or antibiotics.

People with asthma who get a sinus infection may have a flare-up of symptoms, and should stick to their prescribed treatment regimen.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source WILX-TV

Copyright 2010

Eight Reasons to Start Working Out


A few good motivators to shed that extra holiday weight you've packed on.

Overeating—and drinking—is an inevitable part of the last few months. Now, like most Americans, you've probably made a New Year's resolution to hit the gym a little harder. But since most resolutions are made to be broken, we've got a few extra motivators to help you get in gear. Print them out, hang them on your fridge and get going. Or else . . .

You'll Have Bad Breath
Researchers at Tel Aviv University recently found a direct link between obesity and bad breath—the more overweight you are, the more likely your breath will smell rank to those around you. The experts reported that there's no scientific evidence that would explain their results but suggested that obese people may have a diet that promotes dry mouth or that they're less likely to have proper oral hygiene.

You'll Snore
Sleep apnea, a disruption of breathing while asleep, is commonly accompanied by symptoms of extremely loud, irregular snoring. And obesity is the factor most likely to lead to sleep apnea (about 70 percent of people who have sleep apnea are overweight). But don't despair too much: A Temple University study found that obese sleep apnea patients who lost just 10 percent of their weight showed good improvements of their condition.

You'll Spend More Time in the Hospital
A study by sociologists at Purdue University found obesity leads to more frequent and longer hospital stays. On average, overweight patients stayed a day and a half longer than those with normal weight. The experts attributed the connection to more prominence of disease, like high blood pressure, which afflicts 46 percent of obese adults. Next time you're about to dig into a plate of chili cheese fries, ask yourself if they're worth losing 36 hours of your life.

Your Doctor Won't Like You
Doctors have less respect for their obese patients than they do for patients of normal weight, reports a new study by Johns Hopkins researchers. As patient's BMI went up, docs reported a corresponding lower respect for them. Who cares what your doctor thinks of you? Previous studies have shown that when physicians respect their patients, there's a better flow of information and patients are more likely to seek medical help in general.

You Could Die in a Car Accident
As body mass index goes up, seatbelt use goes down. So say researchers at Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee. In a telephone survey they found that about 30 percent of overweight individuals did not use a seatbelt, compared to about 20 percent of the average population. And the seatbelt use continued to decline as BMI increased. The study concluded that obese people are more likely to be involved in fatal car accidents due to the fact that they're less likely to wear a seatbelt. So buckle up!

You'll Get Dumber
Young adults who are in shape have a higher IQ, reveals a new study carried out at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Sweden. The study examined 1.2 million Swedish men doing military service who were born between 1950 and 1976 and analyzed the results of physical and IQ tests when the men enrolled. The results found a clear link between good physical fitness and better results for the IQ test. Researchers attributed the intelligence to the fact that the brain gets plenty of oxygen when people are more physically fit.

You'll Have a Stroke
Men who regularly engage in moderate-to-heavy intensity exercise such as jogging, tennis or swimming may be less likely to have a stroke than people who get no exercise or only light exercise, reports a recent study. The study's more active men were 63 percent less likely to have a stroke than those who did lighter activities like walking and golfing. Strokes, by the way, are the leading cause of disability and the third-leading cause of death in the United States.

You'll Go Broke
With the recent implementation of fat-taxes, sugary and fatty foods are starting to strain people's belts and wallets. Forty states now impose extra sales taxes (up to seven percent) on soft drinks and a few snack items; and the number of taxable items is only predicted to go up. Medically speaking, a 2006 study found that obese people spent 42 percent more than people of normal weight on medical costs (a difference of $1,429). Additionally, airlines have begun enforcing policies that passengers too large to fit in one seat must purchase a second—at standard price. Makes that $12 salad look more reasonable, huh?

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Men's Fitness

Copyright 2010

Want to Beat Bad Breath (Halitosis) ?


If you want that hot chick to smile at you, make sure your breath is minty fresh. A survey conducted by the British Dental Association in England, revealed how bad breath was rated the most unattractive feature in a person, right after body odour. Halitosis or bad breath afflicts more than 90 million people worldwide, so, you aren't alone, my friend.

It's caused by bacteria from foods that group together, attaching themselves to your teeth, leading to plaque build-up. The millions of filaments on your tongue trap tiny food particles, which eventually ferment and emit odour. Interestingly, some of the common chemical compounds detected in bad breath include Hydrogen Sulphide(smells like rotten eggs), Cadaverine (smells like corpses) and Isovaleric Acid (smells like sweaty feet).

Research indicates that people recoil from it because the brain recognizes it as a potential source of infection and forces the body to move away from it.

Here are five simple steps to beat bad breath:

1 Stick to the routine: The combination of brushing-flossing-mouthwashing is deadly for bad breath. Merely brushing twice a day isn't enough since bacteria remains hidden in inaccessible areas between your teeth. Mouthwash works because it can reach hidden crannies that store food particles. Ideally, you should brush twice a day and use a mouthwash that provides 12-hour protection. Clean your tongue with your toothbrush and floss regularly.

2 chew that gum: Saliva is a potent weapon to fight bad breath. When you go to sleep or suffer from dry mouth, there is a slowdown in saliva production. So, food particles end up lingering on the tongue longer, emitting a foul odour. If you chew gum during the day, you stimulate saliva production and wash away the particles. Cinnamon-flavoured gum works best.

3 replenish your fluids: A drop in water levels creates a problem. Make sure you drink at least two litres of water daily.

4 avoid spicy pakodas: Avoid eating garlic and spicy snacks during lunch hour. These are absorbed into the body, and release bad odour through the lungs when you breathe. Cigarettes, coffee, onions, alcohol and foods rich in carbohydrates (rice, pasta and sugar) add to the problem. Eating a portion of parsely with your meals works wonders to fight bad breath.

5 take a trip to the loo: Regular bowel movement eliminates body waste from your gut, cutting down on bad breath. Eating fibre-rich foods such as green leafy vegetables, beans, radish, okra and cucumber also helps tremendously.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source MiDDay

Copyright 2010

Sunday 4 April 2010

Appeal to Smokers' Vanity


Dying from smoking cigarettes is one thing. Yellow teeth, wrinkles and bad breath (Halitosis) are something else altogether, according to one psychological study.

The study, recently published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, indicates that smokers, many of whom develop the habit because they want to boost their self image, are more likely to be deterred by warnings that smoking will make them unattractive than by warnings that it could lead to their deaths.

Further, the study suggests that the more dire death warnings might actually backfire. When confronted with those warnings, some people bolster their habit by developing coping mechanisms to justify continuing to smoke.

According to the Telegraph, a British newspaper that reported on the study, researchers in the United States, Switzerland and Germany, questioned 39 psychology students who said they were smokers.

The answer? Perhaps warnings on cigarette packs should say that smoking can kill you, and while emphasizing that being dead is not at all becoming.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source The Post and Courier

Copyright 2010

Tuesday 23 March 2010

New Plasma Device Used to Eliminate Superbugs


New plasma device may soon be used to eliminate superbugs in hospitals

The rise of the superbug MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) in hospitals may soon be a threat of the past. A new technology prototype is being tested in England that will kill drug resistant bacteria without drugs.

The device depends on the use of a plasma containing an air suspended mixture proven to be lethal for bacteria of many types. Plasmas are common in the cosmos, usually where high-energy processes produce them. But rather than using the high energy sources necessary to strip off a whole group of atoms, this device strips off electrons from just a few of the atoms. Those electrons fly off and collide with unchanged atoms creating a gaseous cocktail of charged particles that roam about freely rather than remain contained within atoms.

This is similar to the expensive method currently used to disinfect surgical instruments. But now there is an economical delivery system for this plasma that will enable more widespread use. The economy of the delivery system is more the breakthrough than the technology itself. This new technology's delivery system can be hand held and used for less serious issues such as eliminating bad breath or underarm odors.

As researcher Gregor Morfill of the Max Planck Institute for Extraterrestrial Physics explained, "The plasma produces a series of over 200 chemical reactions that involve the oxygen and nitrogen in air plus water vapor - there is a whole concoction of chemical species that can be lethal to bacteria".

This procedure can eliminate the need for long periods of washing and scrubbing with no guarantee that all the bugs are killed. There may soon be no need for concerns about patients or visitors who come and go, as well as health care workers who visit different facilities as part of their duties.

In the foreseeable future, this new affordable technology can be placed in hospital halls and doorways. Everyone who walks through would be disinfected from potentially lethal superbugs that are immune to antibiotics.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Natural News.com

Copyright 2010

Nighttime Horrors of Oral Bacteria


GHOSTS, vampires, the Boogeyman - these are just some of the things that scare us at night. But these are nothing compared to the fright fest that are bad breath causing oral bacteria.

At night the flow of our saliva slows down, allowing more than 100 million oral bacteria to feast on leftover food particles and skin cells from the lining of our mouth, which when metabolized creates sulfur resulting to embarrassing morning breath.

"Most people would dismiss it as just morning breath but it’s really more serious than that," says Rico Macasaet, sales and marketing manager of International Market Focus. "Having an embarrassing condition like morning breath can be devastating to one’s self-esteem, to one’s relationship with a partner, and may lead to the person being afraid to talk to others or refusing to go out in public."

And just like facing one’s fear of those that go bump after dark, morning breath is best battled at night with a nighttime toothpaste such as Dentiste specially formulated to inhibit nighttime oral bacteria, thus letting you wake up with fresh breath in the morning.

"Dentist has everything you need to combat morning breath and promote good oral hygiene except for fluoride," says Macasaet. With 14 different natural ingredients made from herbal extracts – eucalyptus, fennel, mentha, catechu, cinnamon, commiphora, glycyrrhiza, ratanhia, myrrhis, sage, clove, salvia, anise and ginger – it is clinically proven effective in inhibiting the growth of oral bacteria.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source Malaya

Copyright 2010

How to Prevent The Horror of Holiday Halitosis (Bad Breath)


-- the 5 Christmas season foods to avoid

You don't want to have bad breath before heading under the mistletoe.

Seasons eatings, as the saying goes, but the holidays also mean lots of socializing. So -- how can you keep your breath smelling fresh?

Dr. Harold Katz, "dentist to the stars," says in a news release that one of the keys is to avoid eating certain holiday dishes that can cause bad breath. Sacrificing certain holiday dishes in order to keep your breath fresh may seem a bit extreme, but would you rather eat hearty and stand alone in the corner, or make a few adjustments and have a real shot under the mistletoe?

“The fact is that brushing your teeth and using some mouthwash to eliminate breath odors is a great start, but the effects of that regimen pretty much wear off before you even make it to lunch,” Dr. Katz says. “Of course you should brush your teeth and floss on a daily basis, but that’s not enough to keep your breath fresh all day. Food is just one of the many variables that can cause bad breath, but watching what you eat is a good place to start.”

Dr. Katz says the five worst holiday foods that prevent your breath from staying fresh include:


5 – Candy canes
4 - Cranberry sauce
3 - Candied yams
2 - Mashed potatoes (if they have butter and sour cream!)

and the absolute worst holiday food for your breath...

1 - Egg nog

These are foods that combine the two worst elements for your breath – dairy and sugar,” Katz says. “Contrary to the myths about bad breath out there, bad breath does not come from your stomach – it comes from the back of your throat and tongue. Dairy foods and sugars promote the creation of bacteria that causes bad breath.”

About Dr. Harold Katz

Dr. Harold Katz is a graduate of the UCLA School of Dentistry and holds a separate degree in Bacteriology, also from UCLA. He is the founder of The California Breath Clinics and the author of “The Bad Breath Bible,” and bearer of the now famous Halimeter which tests the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. Katz is continually researching new ways to improve bad breath treatments and bring them to the general public.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source The POst Standard - Syracuse.com (blog)

Copyright 2010

Monday 22 March 2010

Why The Toothpaste Makers Are Wrong!


Dentist and Fresh Breath Expert Debunks Dental Hygiene Tips From Manufacturers
Every year, the makers of the leading brands of toothpaste come out with their tips for the holidays, mainly angled at promoting dental hygiene. This year, they targeted fresh holiday breath, and the nation's foremost fresh breath expert, "Dentist to the Stars" Dr. Harold Katz is crying foul.

"Their tips made no sense at all," he said. "I can respect them wanting to put out a holiday story that puts their brand names in the public eye, as I know they like to sell toothpaste, but they should be more responsible than to be recommending measures that can actually be harmful to your teeth."

Instead of following the old time toothpaste manufacturers' tips, Dr. Katz has his own Five Tips to Fresh Holiday Breath.

"I have no problem with them if they are disseminating useful, common sense tips," he said. "It's when they recommend to consumers actions that may actually prove harmful that makes me angry. They shouldn't be spreading tips that may actually harm people. It's an irresponsible way to market toothpaste."

Some of these companies recommend rinsing with Hydrogen peroxide, which can be dangerous. Hydrogen peroxide breaks down into free hydroxyl radicals which can eventually damage oral tissue if used every day.

Other companies recommend their strong tasting mouthwash or toothpaste which can contain alcohol, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (a strong detergent to create suds), Saccharin, and artificial flavors and colors as a marketing gimmick. None of these ingredients attacks the root cause of bad breath: Anaerobic sulfur-producing bacteria that breed beneath your tongue as well as the back of the throat and tonsils.

Katz has his own tips, and they include:

Drink More Water to help replenish precious saliva. Healthy saliva contains a high concentration of oxygen, which is the natural enemy of the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath.

Avoid Breath Mints and Gum with Sugar. Sugar feeds the bad breath bacteria, so don't make them any stronger than they already are. Also avoid dairy foods. The bad breath bacteria love proteins - especially those in dairy foods. (They create nasty sulfur compounds when breaking down proteins).

Use Oral Products that contain Oxygenating Compounds, the newest therapy to stop bad breath. Brands include TheraBreath and PerioTherapy. More information is available at www.freshbreath.com or www.therabreath.com.

Keep Your Tongue Clean. GENTLY brush your tongue with a soft nylon toothbrush, but don't use traditional toothpaste on the brush, because most toothpaste contains the harsh drying agent, sodium lauryl sulfate (which is a fancy term for SOAP).

Don't Use Mouthwash Containing Alcohol. Alcohol makes the mouth dry and there is not enough alcohol in those strong tasting mouthwash formulas to kill any bacteria. Anyway, why burn the inside of your mouth during the Holidays!

Katz also recommends that people download his free at Bad Breath Bible

About Dr. Harold Katz
Dr. Harold Katz is widely recognized in the media as the "final authority" on breath. He's been featured on FOX Network, ABC's Good Morning America, and The View with Barbara Walters and countless other radio and TV interviews.

Dr. Katz is a graduate of the UCLA School of Dentistry and holds a separate degree in Bacteriology, also from UCLA. He is the founder of The California Breath Clinics and the author of The Bad Breath Bible, and bearer of the now famous Halimeter which tests the sulfur compounds that cause bad breath.

Dr. Katz has developed oxygenating compounds that have now been used by thousands and thousands of people around the world to eliminate their bad breath. He's personally helped more than 13,000 patients eliminate their breath problem. As the world's leading bad breath expert, Dr. Katz is continually researching new ways to improve bad breath treatments and bring them to the general public.

Dr. Katz's website www.therabreath.com offers a free online bad breath test along with recommendations for eliminating bad breath.

Your current mouthwash and toothpaste could be causing your breath to get worse, NOT better! Try a free trial of the most popular mouthwash to stop bad breath (a $33.45 value) at Therabreath

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source News Blade

Copyright 2010

Yogurt May Chase Away Bad Breath (Halitosis)


If you’ve tried mints, mouthwash and toothpaste but your breath still offends, maybe you should skip the oral hygiene aisle. Next time, try the dairy case.

In a small study, Japanese researchers have found that eating traditional, sugarless yogurt reduces the malodorous compounds that cause bad breath. It also cuts down on plaque and gingivitis, they discovered.

The study, funded in part by a major Japanese yogurt maker, was presented March 10 at the International Association for Dental Research annual meeting, in Baltimore.

Halitosis, or bad breath, is caused by anaerobic bacteria that breed on the back of the tongue, producing volatile sulfur compounds. One of those compounds, hydrogen sulfide, is the stuff that causes your breath to smell like rotten eggs.

Lead author Kenichi Hojo and colleagues from Tsurumi University in Yokohama, Japan, decided to investigate yogurt because of its effects in preventing gastrointestinal problems and research indicating that regular yogurt consumption reduces the risk of dental decay.

We are thinking that yogurt must be good for oral health, also,” said study co-author Nobuko Maeda, a professor of microbiology at the university.

Researchers recruited 24 volunteers. Each person received identical instructions for oral hygiene, diet and medication intake. In the initial phase of the study, participants were asked not to consume yogurt or products containing streptococci and lactobacilli, such as cheese and pickled vegetables. During the second phase, they consumed 90 grams of yogurt, or a little more than 3 ounces, twice a day for six weeks.

Researchers collected samples from the participants’ saliva and tongue coatings, and measured volatile sulfide compound concentrations in the air of people’s mouths.

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Source The News International

Copyright 2010

Friday 19 February 2010

Mint Fights Gum Disease, Whitens Teeth



MYFOXDETROIT - Earlier this year, a Florida scientist discovered a natural way to ward off gum disease -- and whiten teeth.

Fox's Lloyd Sowers reported it's a power-packed breath mint now available in stores.

"I'm just a silly scientist," said Dr. Jeffrey Hillman, but he's just being modest.

There's nothing silly about this little pill-sized mint he invented.

EvoraPlus took years of research and testing using "probiotics," boosting natural good bacteria found in your mouth to outnumber and fight off the bad.

Hillman said the product has "three different types of bacteria, two of which address gum disease – they help to maintain gum health – and a third strain which addresses tooth health."

Early results show some people are spending less time in the dentist's chair and having less work done.

"Patients that take a probiotic potentially avoid periodontal surgery and cavity drilling," said dentist Kelly Laird, who is a big advocate.

Businesswoman Fran Bartlett was courted as an investor. She was very skeptical before she tried it.

"Let it melt in your mouth so that it coats your teeth and the inside of your mouth," Barlett advised.

Bartlett said she was taking it during a time when her business was hectic. She missed a scheduled dentist appointment and had gone almost a year without a cleaning.

"There is no plaque. The pockets are not bleeding, and normally you would get a little bit of bleeding when you do a cleaning," Bartlett said.

A side-benefit of this natural probiotic is it creates a safe, low level of hydrogen peroxide in your mouth, which is a bleaching agent, Sowers reported.

"I didn't notice this directly myself. Friends and family and those around me kept saying, you know, 'How do you get your teeth so white?'" Bartlett said.

The FDA approved Evoraplus as a safe "food additive" for sale over-the-counter. It just started to appear on store shelves.

A month's supply costs about $20. You still have to brush twice a day and floss.

"We expect within a month you should start to see an improvement in both breath and whiteness," Hillman said.

A top professor and scientist from the University of Florida Dental School, Hillman hopes this invention and others to follow will help eradicate gum disease around the world, Sowers reported.

There's another formulation for use in dogs and cats. It's a powder you mix in pet food to fight gum disease and bad breath. And there's another one for kids to fight tooth decay.

Source - myFOXdetroit

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

How do you tell someone they have halitosis?


Every day we all wake up and brush our teeth and tongue to make sure we do not have the bad breath syndrome. However, there are some who suffer from bad breath because they do not brush or still symptomise even if they do.

We all know people who suffer from situational or chronic halitosis. Nobody wants to have bad breath, but people who do usually don't know it because of a phenomenon called acclimation. In essence, the body gets used to the smell of its own breath so it can still smell other things. Sometimes it may be a close friend or relative, or even a complete stranger. The truth of the matter is, it's not only embarrassing for that person to keep going around with bad breath, it is simply socially uncomfortable.

Asking someone if they have eaten garlic can be a hint that their breath is not the best.

Here's what you can do:

Tell one of their close friends or relatives. Most of the time people are not as offended when someone close tells them about their bad breath. If you feel as though you are close enough to that person, then you could possibly be the one to break the bad news. Obviously, anytime someone is told that they have bad breath, it is not always a pleasant time nor will that person always respond positively, but at least they know and they can do something about it.

Just go up to them or near them and say "wow, something smells like garlic, is it you?" Moreover, hopefully they will get the hint that their breath is not the best. Or you can simply offer that person a breath mint after a meal is an easy and relatively inoffensive way to get the message across. By saying that and doing that, you are not directly saying your breath is horrible, but at the same time, you are sending a message

The best way to sympathise with a person who has bad breath is to understand the possible reasons why. One of the main reasons is poor hygiene, such as not brushing and flossing enough or correctly, which leaves food to decay in that person's teeth.

Similarly, bad breath can be caused by respiratory tract infections, such as throat, lung, and sinus infections. Once again, these are possible causes that cannot always be prevented, so it is important to be respectful and understanding of the situation at hand.

Source - Jamaican Observer

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

Thursday 18 February 2010

Brief History of Fad Diets



Critics say it can also cause high cholesterol and bad breath.) Its success spawned imitators like the popular South Beach Diet, a more lenient version ...

The holidays are upon us, which means 'tis the season to overindulge. But once the calendar turns, we'll have to shed some of those pounds, which is why Dr. Sanford Siegel appeared on the Today show on Dec. 14 to tout a mouthwatering diet plan: eat six cookies a day as part of a limited-calorie diet, and watch that extra weight melt away.

Forgive our skepticism, as these aren't snickerdoodles or chocolate-chip cookies but rather protein- and nutrient-packed biscuits that stretch the definition of cookie. The cookie-meal plan has actually been around since 1975, but the quest for the magic diet solution goes back much further. There's a (possibly apocryphal) story that after becoming too fat to ride his horse, William the Conqueror devised an alcohol-only diet in 1087. The monarch didn't grow thinner; instead, he died later that year after falling from his beleaguered steed, leaving his subjects to struggle with finding a coffin big enough to fit the corpulent king.
(See the 2009 Year in Health.)

Despite its dubious beginnings, fad dieting gained mass appeal in the 19th century. In 1829, Presbyterian minister Sylvester Graham touted the Graham diet — centered on caffeine-free drinks and vegetarian cuisine and supplemented by the eponymous graham cracker — as a cure for not just obesity but masturbation (and the subsequent blindness it was thought to cause). The diet became so popular that the students of Oberlin College were forced onto it for a brief period in the 1830s before they successfully rebelled through mass dissent in 1841. Thirty-five years later, an English casketmaker named William Banting became famous by pioneering the concept of a low-carbohydrate diet, which helped him lose 50 lb. He published his results in the 1864 "Letter on Corpulence," and the plan became so popular that banting became a synonym for dieting across Britain.
(See nine kid foods to avoid.)


From there, things got a little strange. In 1903 self-taught nutritionist Horace Fletcher became known as the Great Masticator for advancing the notion that one should chew food exactly 32 times before spitting it out completely. (Pleasant dinner guests, Fletcher's acolytes were not.) In 1928 dieters could choose between eating only meat and fat (sometimes in trimmings bought directly from the butcher) on the Inuit diet, or skim milk and bananas on Dr. George Harrop's aptly named bananas-and-skim-milk diet. As late as the 1960s, Dr. Herman Taller was touting the Calories Don't Count diet, which held that the quantity of food consumed was unimportant provided that you chased it with vegetable oil.

The bizarre early history of planned weight loss makes recent fad diets seem enlightened by comparison. The Atkins diet, a modern-day Banting plan that has eaters eschew carbs in favor of protein-rich meals, was written in 1972 and became in later years a weight-loss plan favored by millions. (Critics say it can also cause high cholesterol and bad breath.) Its success spawned imitators like the popular South Beach diet, a more lenient version that invokes the same low-sugar principle. But other modern diets remain pretty far-fetched. One example is the cabbage-soup diet, which promises that adherents will lose 10 lb. in a week by eating only cabbage soup. A more challenging competitor might be the lemonade diet, which requires dieters to subsist on a concoction of lemon juice, maple syrup, red pepper and hot water for as long as 10 days. While it may not rely on sound science, Siegal's cookie diet looks that much more appealing by comparison.

Source - Time (Health & Science

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

Wednesday 17 February 2010

Top Holiday 'Bad Breath (Halitosis)' Food


I expected a “Holiday Foods that Cause Bad Breath” list to involve dishes doused in garlic.

But according to Dr. Harold Katz, dubbed the “Dentist to the Stars,” garlic is the least of my worries during the holiday pot luck.

Instead, he claims foods heavy with dairy and sugars are certain to cause rejection under the mistletoe. Apparently, both are incubators for bacteria that builds up in the back of our mouths — the source area for bad breath.

So here’s his list of Top 5 foods that will “cause breath bad enough to strip the varnish off a foot locker,” says Katz.

5. Candy Canes
4. Cranberry sauce
3. Candied Yams
2. Mashed Potatoes (especially if loaded with butter and sour cream)
1. Egg Nog

Source - Orange County Register

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

Tuesday 16 February 2010

Health Care and Kidney Disease


More than 26 million Americans—one in nine adults—have kidney disease. Millions more are at increased risk for getting it, and most don’t know it. Kidney disease can be found and treated early to prevent more serious kidney disease and other complications.

Chronic kidney disease includes conditions that damage your kidneys and decrease their ability to keep you healthy by doing the jobs listed, according to the National Kidney Foundation. If kidney disease gets worse, wastes can build to high levels in your blood and make you feel sick. You may develop complications like high blood pressure, anemia (low blood count), weak bones, poor nutritional health and nerve damage. Also, kidney disease increases your risk of having heart and blood vessel disease. These problems may happen slowly over a long period of time. Chronic kidney disease may be caused by diabetes, high blood pressure and other disorders.

Early detection and treatment can often keep chronic kidney disease from getting worse. When kidney disease progresses, it may eventually lead to kidney failure, which requires dialysis or a kidney transplant to maintain life. Chronic kidney disease is a growing health problem in the United States. A report by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) determined that 16.8% of all adults above the age of 20 years have chronic kidney disease. Thus, according to eMedicineHealth.com, one in six individuals have kidney disease, and over 400,000 patients are on dialysis or have received kidney transplants. About 67,000 people die each year because of kidney failure.

The prevalence of chronic kidney disease has increased by 16% from the previous decade. The increasing incidence of diabetes mellitus, hypertension (high blood pressure), obesity, and an aging population have led to this increase in kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease is more prevalent among individuals above 60 years of age (39.4%). Kidney disease is more common among Hispanic, African American, Asian or Pacific Islander, and Native American people. Much info is located on their website about kidney disease: http://www.emedicinehealth.com/chronic_kidney_disease/article_em.htm .

The kidneys, a pair of bean-shaped organs, are located at the bottom of the ribcage in the right and left sides of the back, according to LabTestsOnline.org. Although the body is equipped with two kidneys, you can function with one reasonably healthy kidney if the other is damaged or removed. The kidneys receive blood from the aorta, filter it, and send it back to the heart with the right balance of chemicals and fluid for use throughout the body. The urine created by the kidneys is moved out of the body via the urinary tract.

According to LifeOptions.org, many people who have chronic kidney disease don't know it, because the early signs can be very subtle. It can take many years to go from chronic kidney disease (CKD) to kidney failure. Some people with CKD live out their lives without ever reaching kidney failure. However, for people at any stage of kidney disease, knowledge is power. Knowing the symptoms of kidney disease can help you get the treatment you need to feel your best. If you or someone you know has one or more of the following symptoms of kidney disease, or you are worried about kidney problems, see a doctor for blood and urine tests. Remember, many of the symptoms can be due to reasons other than kidney disease. The only way to know the cause of your symptoms is to see your doctor.

Note the following 10 symptoms:

1.) Symptom 1: Changes in Urination. Kidneys make urine, so when the kidneys are failing, the urine may change. How?

--You may have to get up at night to urinate.

--Urine may be foamy or bubbly. You may urinate more often, or in greater amounts than usual, with pale urine.

--You may urinate less often, or in smaller amounts than usual with dark colored urine.

--Your urine may contain blood.

--You may feel pressure or have difficulty urinating.

2.) Symptom 2: Swelling. Failing kidneys don't remove extra fluid, which builds up in your body causing swelling in the legs, ankles, feet, face, and/or hands.

3.) Symptom 3: Fatigue. Healthy kidneys make a hormone called erythropoietin (a-rith'-ro-po'-uh-tin) that tells your body to make oxygen-carrying red blood cells. As the kidneys fail, they make less erythropoietin. With fewer red blood cells to carry oxygen, your muscles and brain become tired very quickly. This condition is called anemia, and it can be treated.

4.) Symptom 4: Skin Rash/Itching. Kidneys remove wastes from the bloodstream. When the kidneys fail, the buildup of wastes in your blood can cause severe itching.

5.) Symptom 5: Metallic Taste in Mouth/Ammonia Breath. A buildup of wastes in the blood (called uremia) can make food taste different and cause bad breath. You may also notice that you stop liking to eat meat, or that you are losing weight because you just don't feel like eating.

6.) Symptom 6: Nausea and Vomiting. A severe buildup of wastes in the blood (uremia) can also cause nausea and vomiting. Loss of appetite can lead to weight loss.

7.) Symptom 7: Shortness of Breath. Trouble catching your breath can be related to the kidneys in two ways. First, extra fluid in the body can build up in the lungs. And second, anemia (a shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells) can leave your body oxygen-starved and short of breath.

8.) Symptom 8: Feeling Cold. Anemia can make you feel cold all the time, even in a warm room.

9.) Symptom 9: Dizziness and Trouble Concentrating. Anemia related to kidney failure means that your brain is not getting enough oxygen. This can lead to memory problems, trouble with concentration, and dizziness.

10.) Symptom 10: Leg/Flank Pain. Some people with kidney problems may have pain in the back or side related to the affected kidney. Polycystic kidney disease, which causes large, fluid-filled cysts on the kidneys and sometimes the liver, can cause pain.

According to eMedicineHealth.com, although chronic kidney disease sometimes results from primary diseases of the kidneys themselves, the major causes are diabetes and high blood pressure. Note the following medical issues that can cause kidney disease:

--Type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus cause a condition called diabetic nephropathy, which is the leading cause of kidney disease in the United States.

--High blood pressure (hypertension), if not controlled, can damage the kidneys over time.

--Glomerulonephritis is the inflammation and damage of the filtration system of the kidneys and can cause kidney failure. Postinfectious conditions and lupus are among the many causes of glomerulonephritis.

--Polycystic kidney disease is an example of a hereditary cause of chronic kidney disease wherein both kidneys have multiple cysts.

--Use of analgesics such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) regularly over long durations of time can cause analgesic nephropathy, another cause of kidney disease.

--Certain other medications can also damage the kidneys.

--Clogging and hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) leading to the kidneys causes a condition called ischemic nephropathy, which is another cause of progressive kidney damage.

--Obstruction of the flow of urine by stones, an enlarged prostate, strictures (narrowings), or cancers may also cause kidney disease.

--Other causes of chronic kidney disease include HIV infection, sickle cell disease, heroin abuse, amyloidosis, kidney stones, chronic kidney infections, and certain cancers. If you have any of the following conditions, you are at higher-than-normal risk of developing chronic renal disease, according to eMedicineHealth. Your kidney functions may need to be monitored regularly if you have any of the following medical issues:

--Diabetes mellitus type 1 or 2.

--High blood pressure.

--High cholesterol.

--Heart disease.

--Liver disease.

--Kidney disease.

--Amyloidosis.

--Sickle cell disease.

--Systemic Lupus erythematosus.

--Vascular diseases such as arteritis, vasculitis, or fibromuscular dysplasia.

--Vesicoureteral reflux (a urinary tract problem in which urine travels the wrong way).

--Problems of the joints or muscles that require regular use of anti-inflammatory medications.

--If you have a family history of kidney disease.

Important treatments for kidney disease are tight control of blood glucose and blood pressure. Blood pressure has a dramatic effect on the rate at which the disease progresses. Even a mild rise in blood pressure can quickly make kidney disease worsen. Four ways to lower your blood pressure are losing weight, eating less salt, avoiding alcohol and tobacco, and getting regular exercise. Not everyone with diabetes develops kidney disease. Factors that can influence kidney disease development include genetics, blood sugar control, and blood pressure. The better a person keeps diabetes and blood pressure under control, the lower the chance of getting kidney disease.

According to the American Diabetes Association, once kidneys fail, dialysis is necessary. The person must choose whether to continue with dialysis or to get a kidney transplant. This choice should be made as a team effort. The team should include the doctor and diabetes educator, a nephrologist (kidney doctor), a kidney transplant surgeon, a social worker, and a psychologist. Kidneys are remarkable organs, according to the American Diabetes Association. Inside them are millions of tiny blood vessels that act as filters. Their job is to remove waste products from the blood. Sometimes this filtering system breaks down. When our bodies digest the protein we eat, the process creates waste products. In the kidneys, millions of tiny blood vessels (capillaries) with even tinier holes in them act as filters. As blood flows through the blood vessels, small molecules such as waste products squeeze through the holes. These waste products become part of the urine. Useful substances, such as protein and red blood cells, are too big to pass through the holes in the filter and stay in the blood. In time, the stress of overwork causes the kidneys to lose their filtering ability. Waste products then start to build up in the blood. Finally, the kidneys fail.

This failure, ESRD, is very serious. A person with ESRD needs to have a kidney transplant or to have the blood filtered by machine (dialysis) as previously noted. Treatment varies depending on the type of kidney or urinary disease present, according to LabTestsOnline. In general, the earlier kidney or urinary disease is recognized, the more likely it is to be treatable. Dietary restrictions, drug therapy, and surgical procedures may be appropriate. If the kidneys can no longer effectively remove waste and water from the body, a dialysis machine used several times a week can take over kidney filtration. Also, as previously mentioned, kidney transplant surgery is another option when kidneys fail. If you have diabetes or hypertension, control of your blood pressure and blood sugar is extremely important to prevent or minimize kidney damage. Until next time.

Your Best Health Care is a blog that was created in 2007 to relay information to readers interested in how to navigate various health care topics. The notes contained on each topic are credited to sources relative to the material. Not all information is original, but the blog references additional sources that have been edited for the benefit of readers. Over the past 10 years as I have been involved in the health care industry, I have found that good information gives value to people who need help finding out how things work in the health care market place. This Blog also links to other valuable sources for health care information from sources like the CDC, the Mayo Clinic, Time, CNN, and many other news feeds. This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical advice, which is only available from your doctor or a licensed health care professional. I hope you find the topics informative and helpful.

Source - Cypress Times

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

Tuesday 2 February 2010

Banish Bad Breath (Halitosis)


Proper brushing and flossing, accompanied by the use of anti-bacterial mouthwash to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, can prevent halitosis, says Dr Ashok Dhoble


Maintenance of good oral hygiene is the key to the prevention of dental disease. Oral care is not complete only by brushing your teeth twice a day. In addition to being careful about your toothpaste and toothbrush, you should take special care to ensure that you also use a good mouthwash.

Brushing efficiency is generally lower at the gum line between the teeth, under the braces, crowns and prostheses. If germs are left there, brushing efficiency drops. However, the liquid active components of mouthwash reach such difficult spots, getting rid of food particles and germs thereby helping to prevent plaque and tooth decay. The active components of mouthwash reduce plaque in hard-to-reach places and prevent germs from spreading.

Mouthwash is of greater benefit to people who do not floss their teeth, since the mouthwash (especially if it contains antibacterial agents) goes between the teeth and prevents the formation of plaque (bacterial colonies), which are the principal cause of tooth decay and gum disease.

A mouthwash also gets rid of germs which reside on the tongue and other inaccessible areas where the toothbrush does not reach, thereby freshening the breath.

A complete oral care routine of ‘toothbrush-toothpaste-mouthwash’ helps prevent dental disease.

Benefits of Mouthwash

Mouthwash generally contains a liquid vehicle to deliver active ingredients. It is more effective than toothpaste since it can reach the hard-to-reach places in the mouth and effectively fight the bacteria that cause plaque. Mouthwash is a simple delivery system and compromises the active ingredients less, thereby enabling control over the delivery of a higher dose of active ingredients.

It cleanses the mouth effectively and treats diseased states of the oral mucosa, thereby providing therapeutic and cosmetic benefits.

Mouthwashes are sold in a variety of flavours and colours, among which blue or green mint varieties are very common. The protection period offered by mouthwashes is an important criterion to consider while choosing the mouthwash that complements your oral care routine. The best option would be to brush twice a day and choose a mouthwash that offers you a 12-hour protection period, so that you are protected from germs for the period in between brushing.

There are two main benefits offered by mouthwash:

1/ It fights and kills bacteria in hard-to-reach places in the mouth, thereby reducing the incidence of plaque and tooth decay.

2/ It also fights bad breath.

Mouthwashes are designed to eliminate bad breath in three ways.

1/ They relieve Bad Breath (Halitosis) by killing the bacteria responsible for producing the foul odour.

2/ They can prevent bad breath for as long as eight hours.

3/ They help reduce bad breath by masking the odour.

Also read about
Why Therabreath Mouthwash Is Better Than Any Other Oral Care Product

Preventing Halitosis

Halitosis could be a sign of serious systemic disorder. However in 90 per cent of the cases, halitosis is due to dental and gum conditions.

Gum Disease (Periodontitis) causes destruction of bone and soft tissue and formation of pus. The release of sulphur compounds by micro-organisms gives rise to a bad smell, which is characteristic of halitosis. Halitosis is an embarrassing condition for people who suffer from it.

Therefore, it is very important to practice correct method of oral hygiene like brushing and flossing, accompanied by the use of anti-bacterial mouthwash to prevent the formation of plaque and tartar, which is the main cause of gum disease.

Plaque — colonies of bacteria — also form on the tongue. The use of a good toothbrush, anti-bacterial toothpaste and tongue scraper are strongly recommended to prevent halitosis.

However, if gum disease has already been established one must visit a dentist who will treat gum disease and will also teach the correct method of oral hygiene.

In a few cases, halitosis could be due to upper respiratory tract infection like infected tonsils. In some others, it may also be due to gastrointestinal problems.

How to Use Mouthwash

Mouthwash is generally to be used in an undiluted form, before or after brushing. The quantity of mouthwash to use would be 20ml or as specified on the bottle. Take the specified quantity of mouthwash, rinse mouth thoroughly for 1 minute or as specified on the bottle, gargle and then expel the mouthwash.

Tips

For normal use, a mouthwash can be bought over the counter. However, if a mouthwash needs to be used for special problems like sensitivity it should be after proper professional supervision. Mouthwash used in proper quantity is not harmful. Dentists advise parental supervision for patients under the age of 8-10 years.

To find out about how what mouthwash to get, click here!

Source - Deccan Herald

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2010

Saturday 16 January 2010

I Want Fresh Breath

I Want Fresh Breath


Simple really - Here is my 3 step strategy

As with everything in life, we Research, Plan and Prepare - Also be prepared to go the extra mile for good health.

Step 1 - Stay hydrated - Hydration is vital to avoid nasty Bad Breath

If food is decomposing in your mouth because it wasn’t broken down or washed out, bacteria can flourish - Drink plenty of water.
Avoid alcohol and tobacco - Both can lead to your mouth becoming dry.
The following Lozenges could help avoid dry mouth hence avoiding Bad Breath


Chewing gum or sucking a sweet, preferably sugar-free, can help stimulate the production of saliva.

If you are concerned that you are not drinking enough water, check your urine. If your urine is usually colourless or light yellow, you are well hydrated. If your urine is a dark yellow or amber colour, you may be dehydrated.

Step 2 - Free yourself from Bad Breath easily and naturally.

Invest in a product that works. "Just don't treat the Symptoms... Fix the Cause!”. Invest in Bad Breath Free Forever™ - the All-Natural Bad Breath Solution!.

Click here to find out more information.

Step 3 - Have Fresh Breath

Learn how you can have clean, fresh breath every day for the rest of your life using Therabreath products.

TheraBreath is a revolutionary premium oral care system created by Doctor Harold Katz at the California Breath Clinics.

All TheraBreath Formulas are backed by a 100% 30–Day Money-Back Guarantee. If for any reason you're not satisfied, let them know and they will promptly refund your product cost.



I have been using the above strategies to maintain my fresh breath.

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

Is Bad Breath a Sympton of Swine Flu ?


Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is caused by Anaerobic Sulfur Producing Bacteria which normally live WITHIN the surface of the tongue and in the throat. These bacteria are supposed to be there, because they assist humans in digestion by breaking down proteins found in specific foods, mucous or phlegm, blood, and in diseased or "broken-down" oral tissue.

Under certain conditions, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate. Proteins are made up of Amino Acids. Two of the Amino Acids (Cysteine and Methionine) are dense with sulfur.

When these "beneficial" bacteria come into contact with these compounds, the odorous and "lousy-tasting" sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat, as Hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other odorous and bad tasting compounds. These "problem" compounds are often referred to as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), where volatile means Vaporous and Effervescent, two adjectives which accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly.

Causes of Swine Flu

The swine flu virus is spread in exactly the same way as the ordinary cold and flu viruses.

How Do I Know I Have Bad Breath ?
It can be difficult to realise that you have bad breath. Other people tend to notice it first, and they may find it difficult to tell you. If you are worried that you have bad breath you may have to ask a close friend or family member to tell you honestly whether they think that you have.

There is a way of finding out if your breath smells bad without having to call in outside help. "You run your tongue a couple of times over your wrist, let the saliva dry for 30 seconds and then smell it," reveals Benno Raddatz, a dentist from the southern German state of Badem-Wurttemburg. The same trick can be carried out using a cotton wool bud.

How do I know I Have Got Swine Flu ?

Just like normal Flu, the symptons of Swine Flu include:

1/ a sudden fever (a high body temperature of 38C/100.4F or above)

2/ a sudden cough

Other symptons may include:

* Headache

* Sore throat

* Tiredness

* Runny nose

* Chills

* Sneezing

* Aching muscles

* Loss of appetite

* Limb or joint pain

* Diarrhoea or stomach upset

Bad Breath is NOT a sympton of Swine Flu

If you think you have Swine Flu, do the following:

Stay at home and check your symptons on government (or your National Pandemic Flu Service) regulated websites.

Only call your doctor, if:

1/ You have a serious underlying illness

2/ You are pregnant

3/ You have a sick child under one year old

4/ Your condition suddenly gets much worse after 7 days (or 5 days for a child)

Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved

Thursday 7 January 2010

Implant Treatment Brings Relief For Denture Wearers


Scots plagued by the curse of loose lower dentures are being offered a permanent solution by a pioneering Scottish dental practice.

Two businessmen behind the Scottish Dental Implant Centre have now set up another practice – Lubiju – where they are adapting the technology to fix dental plates firmly in the jaw.

Patients who undergo the treatment at the state-of-the-art centre require minor surgery that takes less than two hours and provides a permanent solution to loose dentures.

Dr Biju Krishnan, said: “Implant technology is absolutely amazing and now that it has been adapted for lower dental plates it will be a godsend to thousands of Scots.”

It is no exaggeration to say that this minor surgery is absolutely life-changing for those people who live with constant irritation of loose dentures.”

We hear stories every single day of how patients lack confidence because their dentures make it difficult to do the most basic things, like eat or speak comfortably.”

They also spend large amounts of time and money trying to solve the problem with messy and difficult to use pastes, gels and fixatives.”

In the worst cases food can become trapped under the dentures and even cause the wearer to suffer bad breath. Anyone who has had these problems knows what a nightmare they can be.”

The technology involves drilling through the gum into the jawbone where a tiny titanium implant is placed and eventually bonds with the bone. Each implant acts like a replacement root and they were originally developed to secure individual replacement teeth.

However, the implants have now been adapted to hold lower dentures firmly and securely in place. Each mini implant has a ball-shaped head which fits into a socket on the dental plate. While this keeps dentures securely in place, they can still be removed for daily cleaning.

Dr Krishnan added: “Because of our expertise, patients come in for the treatment under local anaesthetic and walk out two hours later with their problems solved. It really is that simple.”

Typically the treatment is ideal for those patients who wear lower denture plates for six to 14 lower teeth and involves fitting four implants at a cost of around £1500 – which can be spread across interest free repayments.

Lubiju was set up by business partners Dr Biju Krishnan and Dr Lubino do Rego, who met while studying dentistry at Dundee University. They have already created a respected UK centre of excellence at the Scottish Dental Implant Centre, in part of their Drake Dental Practice which is open to NHS patients.

In March they launched Lubiju, one of Scotland’s most advanced treatment centres, with an investment of £750,000 to concentrate on adopting and developing emerging, hi-tech techniques in cosmetic dentistry.

It boasts an impressive list of experts in maxilla-facial surgery, anaesthetics and implant surgery. The implant team is led by world-renowned Dr John Cuccio, who ran a Harley Street specialist implant practice for 30 years.

Lubiju has the ambience of a five-star hotel and is fitted out with three state of the art treatment suites, each with a designer flat screen TV on the ceiling, so patients can watch DVDs during longer treatments such as laser tooth whitening.

Each suite is also equipped with powerful, hi-tech, ceiling-mounted cameras, which can film surgical and cosmetic procedures to be beamed to specialist audiences elsewhere in the practice – or anywhere in the world – for training and teaching purposes.

Uniquely in Scotland Lubiju is blending hi-tech technology with traditional alternative therapies and treatments – including massage, relaxation therapies, holistic treatments and hypnotherapy.

This means patients can be treated for needle phobias and gag reflex problems, while recognised pre and post-treatment relaxation techniques can improve the experience and hasten recovery times.

The centre also has its own dedicated massage and complementary therapy treatment room, with expert staff who also provide alternative health advice, relaxation treatments, non-surgical facelifts and other rejuvenation and detox treatments.


CASE STUDY

Dental Implants Bring a Smile to Pensioner’s Face

A retired postal worker has revealed how his life has improved dramatically since he invested in dental implants to end years of denture misery

Iain Robertson’s life was so blighted by loose lower denture plate he even avoided taking holidays abroad because he suffered from painful gum sores, an inability to eat many foods and even problems with his speech.

The 76-year-old was in constant pain and his confidence was shattered. In desperation he turned to cosmetic dentist, Dr Biju Krishnan, who advised him to have his dentures secured with implant technology.

Iain said: “I was at my wits end. My dentures were causing me constant pain and I knew I had do something quickly to improve the situation.”

I had my teeth removed more than 30 years ago and at first I didn’t have any problems. But latterly my mouth was always sore and no matter how many times I visited the dentist nothing seemed to change.”

Finally my wife Liz read about dental implants in a magazine and she asked her dentist Dr Krishnan if he could help me. Previously the pain and inconvenience stopped me living life to the full.”

I was forever taking my dentures out of my mouth which Liz hated. I also felt self-conscious when I was talking and my jaw often ached and I even avoided going on holiday because I was so self-conscious.”

Now I rarely think about my teeth. Liz and I are forever jetting off on holiday and all I have to do is pop the denture out of my mouth twice a day to clean it. I can also eat all my favorite foods again and I am much happier.”

Having implants done was one of the best decisions I have ever made and I would thoroughly recommend the procedure to anyone else having problems with their dentures".

Source - Allmediascotland

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2009

How To Choose A Toothpaste


With no small amount of toothpaste on the market, it can be difficult to find one that does what it promises while also providing optimum health benefits.

Many toothpastes claim to whiten teeth, protect you from tartar, or strengthen weak teeth, but how can you tell if the toothpaste you're choosing is as good as the box claims? Is fluoride safe? Are there alternatives to abrasive whitening toothpastes? Gel or paste? These are all legitimate questions to ask when choosing a toothpaste. Some fall to preference, others to science.

What to Look for in a Toothpaste
It is important to look for a toothpaste that meets your needs and desires. Common things to look for:

1/ The ADA seal of approval This indicates that your toothpaste has met the rigorous standards of the American Dental Association.

2/ Fluoride Despite claims that fluoride is unsafe at any level, the FDA and ADA have determined that the fluoride in toothpaste is not sufficient enough to cause any adverse health effects. Additionally, fluoride toothpaste acts to strengthen teeth and fight decay. Fluoride works to remineralize acid caused by bacteria, and can actually reverse the symptoms of tooth decay.

3/ Tartar Control Tartar is hardened plaque that accumulates on teeth that can cause decay and be terribly difficult to remove. Ingredients such as zinc citrate have been proven effective in combating tartar. Some tartar control toothpastes also contain triclosan, which has been proven to kill bacteria within the mouth. Using a tartar control toothpaste ensures a brighter smile, and less time spend in the dentist chair during cleanings.

Outside of these things, choosing a toothpaste relies heavily on personal choice. Natural toothpastes that have been ADA approved are a great option for people wanting to live a more natural lifestyle. Heavily flavored toothpastes may appeal to people wanting to combat bad breath. Fluoride-free, fruit flavored toothpastes are best for children who have not learned to spit their toothpaste out but still need to have good oral hygiene habits instilled.

Of course, no toothpaste alone is an adequate substitute for regular dental cleanings and checkups. Regular dental checkups help ensure your mouth remains decay and disease free. Professional cleanings remove the plaque from all areas of your mouth, allowing your toothpaste to start working in a clean environment.

If you live in or around Chicago, Illinois, please visit the website of the Colonial Dental Group for all of your dental needs, including information on toothpaste.

Source - 24-7PressRelease.com

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2009

GlaxoSmithKline debuts Sensodyne iso-active Multi Action Foaming Gel


GlaxoSmithKline has announced the introduction of a new product to help alleviate the pain of dentin hypersensitivity for young sufferers -- Sensodyne iso-active Multi Action Foaming Gel.

This new toothpaste is designed to provide patients with sensitivity relief, as well as the all-around benefits of a regular fluoride dentifrice, all in a foaming formula.

The product's iso-active technology generates more than twice the foam volume during brushing compared with ordinary toothpaste to provide rapid dispersion throughout the mouth. This allows the foam to penetrate hard-to-reach areas and deliver active ingredients to more of the tooth surfaces while helping to deep clean the mouth and effectively remove the causes of bad breath.

Additionally, Sensodyne iso-active is proven to reduce the pain of dentin hypersensitivity, even in hard-to-reach areas.

Data shows that dentin hypersensitivity affects one in three people between the ages of 20 and 40 in the United States. Yet only half of these people are actually treating the problem.

Recent results from a consumer insight study on sensitive teeth highlighted the reluctance of younger patients to treat their dentin hypersensitivity, revealing that younger sufferers believe traditional desensitizing toothpastes don't provide all the benefits they want from a toothpaste.

Dental professionals play an important role in helping educate younger patients on dentin hypersensitivity and how to effectively manage the condition with a simple brushing regimen.

Recommending a desensitizing toothpaste that also meets patients' all-around protection needs is a step for dental professionals to discuss with young sensitivity sufferers.

Source - RDH

Discover how I cured my nasty Bad Breath here.

Copyright 2009

Bad Breath Bandit


He could be called the “Bad Breath Bandit”.

Police in a Detroit suburb are looking for a bank robber who tellers say has crooked yellow teeth and particularly bad breath. The Detroit Free Press reports that Ferndale police say the man hit the same Charter One branch in October and again last week.

Lt William Wilson says tellers remember the man as tall, thin and “having very offensive breath and real yellow teeth.” Witnesses also say he looks and smells dirty.

Police say he showed bank employees a note that demanded money. He implied he had a gun but tellers didn’t see any weapon. The suspect escaped with about $1,000 in the latest robbery.

Source - Jamaica Observer

On the minty side, Lt R Shirley, announced that the local Police Station, is now offering the following Minty Gums for free. The bandit is especially welcomed -

Copyright 2009