Common causes of bad breath

Topical reasons:

a) bad oral hygiene
b) decayed teeth
c) gingival diseases
d) food remains on the back of the tongue
e) unclean dentures
f) mouth ulcers
g) reduced saliva flow
h) mouth infections
i) moth diseases that causes ulcers
j) anaerobic bacteria
k) extremely  heavy smoking

Systemic Diseases

a) Diabetes
b) Liver disease
c) Kidney disease
d) Lung disease
e) Nasal disease
f) Cancer
g) Fever

Medicine

1. Containing iodine or chloride
2. b) Those that reduce the saliva flow

Food

a) Garlic
b) Onion
c) Broccoli

Idiopathic reasons

Psychogenic causes

Common Bad Breath Myths

Myth 1: It is easy for people to tell if their own breath smells

WRONG. We cannot tell if our breath smells because: a) we become accustomed to our own odors; b) additionally in many cases we do not produce bad breath until we talk.

Myth 2: Bad breath comes from the stomach

WRONG. The overwhelming majority of bad breath arises from the back of the mouth.

Myth 3: Good dental hygiene (tooth brushing and flossing) will always eliminate bad breath

WRONG. The problem is that odor causing bacteria often hide deep within the crevices of the tongue under a protective layer of mucus and proteins. Cleaning the tongue with a tongue scraper can remove this layer of mucus and proteins exposing bacteria and freshening breath.

Myth 4: Mouthwashes are effective in treating bad breath

WRONG. In fact, most conventional mouthwashes can actually contribute to bad breath formation. This is because mouthwashes contain a high percentage of alcohol, which tends to dry out the mouth. Bacteria responsible for creating bad breath grow much better in a drier mouth. Mouthwashes that contain chloride dioxide, however, are very effective in treating bad breath.

Myth 5: To prevent bad breath we should be careful of what we eat

WRONG. It is true that temporary bad breath comes from the foods we eat. Instead, chronic bad breath results when bacteria in the mouth break down left-over food particles creating odorous sulphur particles.
The reduction in the number of odours caused by bacteria in the mouth can be achieved by: proper brushing, flossing and cleaning of the tongue with a tongue cleaner (tongue scraper).

Techniques for eliminating bad breath

1. Brushing and flossing are two of the most crucial elements for attacking bad breath.

2. Clean your tongue with a tongue cleaner in order to remove the bacteria, which reside on your tongue. Remember to clean near the back of the tongue where most of the bacteria reside but be careful not to gag yourself.

3. Drink plenty of water.

By drinking water we stimulate saliva flow, wash away left-over food particles, and moisten the mouth making it less hospitable to odor causing bacteria.

Actions, which dry the mouth or reduce saliva flow can increase bad breath odour.

These include:

• The use of prescription medications including antihistamines and
decongestants
• Excessive talking
• Exercising
• Dieting
• Drinking alcohol or using mouthwashes containing a high amount of alcohol
• Smoking

4. Use Chloride Dioxide Mouthwashes

Mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are the latest advance against bad breath.

5. Chew sugarless Gum

6. Check for signs of Gingivitis and other dental problems

Immediately make a dental appointment if you have signs such as:

• Red or swollen gums
• Loose teeth
• Sensitive teeth
• Pus coming from around the teeth
• Pain on chewing
• Tender gums
• Bleeding gums.

7. Get a dental check every six months.

What are they?

Canker Sores are mouth ulcers that are very common, affecting nearly 20% of the population. Some researchers suggest that canker sores may be caused by the body’s own immune system attacking the cells lining the inside of the mouth.

What causes canker ulcers?

Factors related to mouth ulcers are the following:

1. Watch what you eat-consumption of certain food can lead to canker sores, such as whole wheat, chocolate, nuts, shellfish, pineapples, apples, cheese, figs, lemon, vinegar, French mustard, milk.

2. Toothpaste with the ingredient SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate) may cause canker sores to some people.

3. Stress
We all feel stress at one time or another. Stress is simply the body’s reaction to perceived threats or harmful stimuli. In response, the body increases heart rate, increases blood pressure, and releases a host of cytokines and other chemicals. While stress is meant to be a protective mechanism, in today’s society, we often experience so much stress that it can become dangerous to our health.
Uncontrolled stress can cause severe medical problems including migraines, high blood pressure, heart disease, and gastric/intestinal disorders. Not surprisingly, stress has been implicated as a factor contributing to canker sores.

4. Deficiencies in vitamin B, iron, or folic acid.

5. Oral trauma by dentures, or braces or by hard tooth brushing.
Unfortunately may of the food we eat can injure oral tissue and lead to canker sores (e.g. potato chips, sweets).
Sometimes dental procedures can irritate the soft tissue of the mouth resulting in oral ulcers.
Many people cause oral damage by biting their lips and the   inside of their mouth.

Common Treatments of Aphthous ulcers

1. Corticosteroids-They often come in gel or cream form and are usually applied 3-4 times a day

2. Gels or creams with analgesic action

3. Use of mouthwashes with chlorexidine (e.g. Listerine) 2-3 times daily.

4. Salt water rinses-Mix a teaspoonful of salt into a cup of warm water.

5. Lastly, the best way of treating these very painful oral ulcers is with the use of the laser, which can immediately the patient by up to 90% and cause the mouth ulcer to disappear by the day following the laser application.

Ways to eliminate the canker ulcers

1. Avoid food that triggers them
2. Use toothpaste without SLS
3. Eliminate stress
4. Take supplements of B12, iron and folic acid
5. Avoid food that might cause trauma to the oral tissue
6. Inform the dentist about the predisposition of appearance of the oral ulcers
7. Eliminate and control the bad habit of lip biting.

Tips that can ensure a healthier life despite the hectic lifestyle

In today’s society we often spend our lives on the run-rushing from meeting to meeting, taking kids to lessons, picking up a meal whenever we can.
Unfortunately, in this fast-paced society it is more often our teeth that suffer. Vary rarely do we have the time to care for our teeth after meals. Bacteria feast on food particles left after we eat creating cavity causing acids.
How can we take care of our teeth on the run? Brushing after meals is the best bet. Small, traveller’s toothbrushes fit conveniently into purses or coat pockets. But if you cannot brush, try these smile saving tips:

1. Avoid food that tends to get stuck to teeth. Here it creates a feast for bacteria, several hours after the meal is eaten.
2. Consider drinking sodas and fruit juices with straw. These beverages contain acid, which eats into tooth enamel. By using a straw, the drink comes into less contact with teeth.
3. Consider using a clean paper towel to manually wipe your teeth.
4. Drink plenty of water after meals. Water helps wash away food particles that bacteria feast upon.
5. Chew sugarless gum. The chewing actually stimulates saliva, our natural mouthwash. Saliva raises the pH of the mouth, neutralizing plaque acids. Chewing gum containing xylitol actually prevents plaque bacteria from growing, further enhancing oral health.

In case you are in the group of people with dental phobia then some of the following are common to you:

1. You smile rarely, since you are ashamed of showing your teeth

2. When you are talking or laughing you place your hand in front of your mouth to hide your teeth

3. While you are eating and drinking you frequently have pain-preferring it instead of the dental treatment

4. You feel dirty and ashamed of the way your teeth have deteriorated.
5. Frequently, after you wake up, you find broken bits of tooth inside your mouth

6. Abscesses are regular occurrences and you take antibiotics to postpone the visit to your dentist.

Nevertheless, the time comes and you have to ask for dental treatment-you may be terrified. Fear is not a disease; it is a way of thinking. Eliminate your unwanted emotional states and allow yourself the opportunity to once and for all open a clear path to resolving your challenges.

1. The most important thing to do is to find a good dentist. Make sure the person is someone you can trust, that is caring and understanding. Think of your appointment with him/her as an interview and you are the boss. If you don’t like him/her, search for a new one. Remember, it is your mouth, your money, your choice.

2. Ask questions in order to avoid any surprises

3. Develop a positive attitude about your treatment

4. Communicate with us. Always tell us what is going on, what you are afraid of, how we can help you feel more comfortable. We are human, not mind readers. We need you to tell us how we can help you.

5. Have a support system. Sometimes it is difficult to share phobia with others. You often feel alone and embarrassed about your problem, but if you seek out support you will find it.

6. Always focus on the outcome. Think of how great you will feel and look once the treatment is accomplished.

Reasons for a tooth to be extracted

1. Badly damaged
2. Badly decayed
3. Has complications after a root canal therapy
4. Could be causing crowding, malocclusion, preventing a tooth from erupting
5. Loose from advanced periodontal disease.

Procedure

Typically a local anesthetic is used to completely numb the area; in a simple extraction, the dentist will grasp the tooth with forceps, loosen it and then pull it out.

Care after the extraction

1. Immediately following a tooth extraction, keep pressure on gauze until the bleeding stops, changing the gauze every half an hour
2. To reduce swelling, place ice packs on the side of your face for half an hour
3. Avoid smoking for the next 24 hours
4. Avoid rinses for 24 hours
5. Do not drink through a straw for 24 hours
6. Reduce strenuous activity for 24 hours
7. Drink plenty of fluids and maintain as normal a diet as possible which may be limited to soft foods for the first few days
8. Avoid alcoholic beverages and hot liquids for 24 hours
9. Brush and floss as normal, being extra careful around the extraction area.
10. On the following day gently rinse your mouth with warm salt water (1/2 tsp. in one glass of water).

Depending on the situation, medication may be prescribed to help control pain and infection.