A Simple Bad Breath Solution That's In Your Kitchen Cupboard

One of the unfortunate things about bad breath is that we may not know we have bad breath until we speak. By this stage, we will have engaged in a social or business situation where we may cause people to recoil from us - even if subconsciously - at the very moment when we are trying to improve our relationship with them. If this group knows us well, this is less of a problem. Friends are more likely to be forgiving of the little things about us that perhaps jar them. But if we don't know these people well, we may have just sullied the all important first impressions that are the crucial beginning of any relationship - social, intimate, or business.

Bad breath is undoubtably a problem - frustrating, and usually recurring. Perhaps it gets covered up by mints and candy, but there are situations when we cannot always be chewing on gum. Its unprofessional in a business meeting, impractical when we're having lunch, and impossible when we're intimate with someone.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria. More specifically, the volatile sulfur compounds that are the result of the breakdown of two sulfur containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. These bacteria live in the mouth and throat, and because they are anaerobic bacteria, they do not live on the surface of the tongue. They actually exist in the fibers which the tongue is made up of.

The bad news is that you cannot get rid of these bacteria permanently, despite the promise of some bad breath treatments. And you actually wouldn't want to, despite the inconvenience they cause when they are working overtime to produce bitter tasting and bad smelling metabolic byproducts. These bacteria are actually part of the digestive process, which begins in the mouth. You need them, and they need you!

There are things that make this normal aspect of digestion worse, however. Foods like dairy products and eating too much protein. That's why one very common side effect of the high protein Atkins diet is bad breath. The proteins in these foods gives these bacteria more 'fuel' to create even more volatile sulfur compounds. They are just doing their job, with very unpleasant after effects. And coffee contains acids which allow the bacteria to multiply. So for the social situations where you want to minimize bad breath, its a simple thing to avoid these foods and drinks.

Tea, on the other hand, can stop the growth of these bacteria. Researchers in Chicago at the University of Illinois have found that the polyphenols in tea can not only reduce the output of the volatile sulfur compounds by 30%, but they make it harder for the bacteria to multiply. The polyphenols active in this bad breath remedy are catechins and theaflavins. Catchetins are found in both green and black tea, and theaflavins are only found in black tea. So a strategy to prevent bad breath might be to avoid the alcohol at important lunches and dinners, and drink black tea instead! Alcohol, because it dries your mouth out, will aggravate bad breath.

References:
1. www.therabreath.com
2. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=37915

You don't have to live with bad breath. For your guide to bad breath treatments, click here: http://www.vitaminstohealth.com/bad-breath-cause.html

Discover A Supermarket Bad Breath Remedy That Isn't a Mouthwash

One of the unfortunate things about bad breath is that we may not know we have bad breath until we speak. By this stage, we will have engaged in a social or business situation where we may cause people to recoil from us - even if subconsciously - at the very moment when we are trying to improve our relationship with them. If this group knows us well, this is less of a problem. Friends are more likely to be forgiving of the little things about us that perhaps jar them. But if we don't know these people well, we may have just sullied the all important first impressions that are the crucial beginning of any relationship - social, intimate, or business.

Bad breath is undoubtably a problem - frustrating, and usually recurring. Perhaps it gets covered up by mints and candy, but there are situations when we cannot always be chewing on gum. Its unprofessional in a business meeting, impractical when we're having lunch, and impossible when we're intimate with someone.

Bad breath is caused by bacteria. More specifically, the volatile sulfur compounds that are the result of the breakdown of two sulfur containing amino acids, methionine and cysteine. These bacteria live in the mouth and throat, and because they are anaerobic bacteria, they do not live on the surface of the tongue. They actually exist in the fibers which the tongue is made up of.

The bad news is that you cannot get rid of these bacteria permanently, despite the promise of some bad breath treatments. And you actually wouldn't want to, despite the inconvenience they cause when they are working overtime to produce bitter tasting and bad smelling metabolic byproducts. These bacteria are actually part of the digestive process, which begins in the mouth. You need them, and they need you!

There are things that make this normal aspect of digestion worse, however. Foods like dairy products and eating too much protein. That's why one very common side effect of the high protein Atkins diet is bad breath. The proteins in these foods gives these bacteria more 'fuel' to create even more volatile sulfur compounds. They are just doing their job, with very unpleasant after effects. And coffee contains acids which allow the bacteria to multiply. So for the social situations where you want to minimize bad breath, its a simple thing to avoid these foods and drinks.

Tea, on the other hand, can stop the growth of these bacteria. Researchers in Chicago at the University of Illinois have found that the polyphenols in tea can not only reduce the output of the volatile sulfur compounds by 30%, but they make it harder for the bacteria to multiply. The polyphenols active in this bad breath remedy are catechins and theaflavins. Catchetins are found in both green and black tea, and theaflavins are only found in black tea. So a strategy to prevent bad breath might be to avoid the alcohol at important lunches and dinners, and drink black tea instead! Alcohol, because it dries your mouth out, will aggravate bad breath.

References: 1. www.therabreath.com 2. www.nutraingredients.com/news/ng.asp?id=37915

You don't have to live with bad breath. For your guide to bad breath cause and treatments, click here. And for simple home remedies like this home remedy for a toothache, click here.

Simple Tips To Prevent Bad Breath

Bad breath simply comes and goes for some people. Perhaps we only wake up with bad breath in the morning. Or eating certain foods, like onion or pizza. These are more obvious triggers for bad breath. But the bacteria that release the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath find a great breeding ground in tongues that are coated or lined with cracks. Mucous and phlegm also contain proteins, and these bacteria exist to break down proteins. So if you suffer from phlegmatic nasal conditions, there's a good chance there is an associated increase in bad breath.

However, despite any existing conditions like fissured tongues or excess phlegm, that are more difficult to change, there are things we can avoid to minimize bad breath occurring.

What makes bad breath worse?

* A dry mouth:

Saliva keeps bad breath at bay because it is rich in oxygen. The bacteria that lead to symptoms of bad breath are anaerobic bacteria, meaning they live in an environment that does not have oxygen. When you have a dry mouth you're creating an environment that is more similar to their 'home', one that has little oxygen. So the bacteria thrive, and so does bad breath.

This is a problem for people who sleep with their mouths open, in particular. Breathing through your mouth all night dries out your mouth so you wake up with less-than-pleasant morning breath.

* Certain foods that are high in protein like meat, and for those who are lactose intolerant, dairy:

If you don't digest dairy products well, the bacteria have more of a chance to digest the proteins in milk and produce the volatile sulfur compounds that result in bad breath.

* Not flossing:

Similarly, if you don't floss after a meal, especially if you've eaten meat, the bacteria in your mouth have ample time to break down the meat proteins stuck between your teeth.

* Acidic foods and drinks like coffee:

Acidic foods and drinks create an environment in which bacteria will multiply faster

* Alcohol:

Even if its in a mouthwash, alcohol will dry your mouth out, and then you have all the bad breath problems associated with a dry mouth

* Sugar:

Sugar is food for bacteria. Enough said!! And this is why even mint flavored sugar products won't make your breath smell any better.

* Toothpaste containing SLS, or sodium laureth sulfate:

SLS is a harsh chemical that damages the lining of the mouth, albeit on a microscopic level. In the lab, SLS is used to destabilize membranes, and make protein and fats soluble. That's why it has a 'soapy' or foaming effect. Because it is a soap, it has a drying effect in your mouth. This of course leads to bad breath. It has also been linked to canker sores, and many people who suffer from these have found relief by switching to a toothpaste that doesn't contain SLS.

References:
1. www.therabreath.com

Find out more about bad breath causes in this article. Plus a simple food and folk home remedy for a toothache to tide you over until you can get to a dentist.

5 Tips To Combat Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem that many people suffer. Though it is usually attributed to poor dental hygiene there are other problems that may cause it. Even brushing your teeth two or three times a day will not necessarily alleviate the odor that ruminates from your mouth. The food we eat and the habits we partake in can play a very big part in bad breath. For instance onion, garlic, tobacco and alcohol all have a negative effect on the smell of our breath. As food is digested certain substances from the food stuff are released into our bloodstream which in turn travels to the lungs. This means that by eating onions or garlic we are breathing them in and out all day.

1- Don't just brush your teeth. Use dental floss to get rid of the bacteria that collects between your teeth and use a tongue scraper to get right to the back of the tongue. A special tongue scraper is better than the back of a special toothbrush because of the ease of use. A toothbrush is cumbersome in comparison to these items and unless you give your teeth and mouth the whole works you are unlikely to get rid of bad breath.

2- Consider changing your diet. If you regularly eat garlic or onions then your breath is likely to smell regardless of whether you brush and floss regularly or not. Eating sweet foods will produce cavities and other problems where bacteria can hide and rot giving bad breath.

3- If you have a health problem that is the cause of your bad breath then you should consult your doctor and not your dentist. Obviously, your dentist will be able to tell you if your bad breath is caused by your mouth or by another problem and is your likely first port of call.

4- Drinking water is another good way of combating bad breath. A dry mouth is a veritable banquet for bacteria as they can become firmly lodged inside your mouth and wreak absolute havoc.

5- Chewing gum only really serves to mask the smell of bad breath and not fix it, despite adverts to the contrary. The sugar in gum causes cavities and these cavities are like little shelters for bacteria. If you eat gum with sugar replacements you may find that your body reacts badly to them and you end up with digestion problems that can also cause bad breath.

John Mancini has been writing about Bad Breath online and offline for a long time. Visit http://bad-breath-expert.com or http://bad-breath-treatments.info to read more about matters like halitosis and bad breath home remedies.