Prevent Bad Breath

If you want to prevent bad breath, the first step is a healthy lifestyle. This may seem like an impossibly general statement, but it really is true that a healthy lifestyle benefits the body in so many ways and avoids the conditions that make us predisposed to bad breath. In particular, new evidence suggests that good nutrition is the cure for halitosis we've all been looking for.

Any worthy bad breath tip will include the information that bad breath is usually caused by anaerobic bacteria multiplying in the mouth and producing sulfur compounds that smell foul. That's true as far as it goes, but it begs the question "Why do these bacteria gain the upper hand in the mouths of some people while leaving others unaffected?" And "How can we prevent bad breath by preventing these organisms from proliferating?" The answers to these questions are still not entirely clear but we do know about some health conditions and some nutritional factors that can be part of the picture.

First, a bad breath tip that's been around as long as mouthwash: take care of your teeth and gums. Regular brushing, flossing and professional checkups will keep the mouth healthy and discourage the unhealthy proliferation of oral bacteria. Regular medical checkups are basic to a healthy lifestyle as well. Prompt attention to any physical symptoms that arise may help you prevent bad breath: digestive upsets, sinus problems, mouth infections, respiratory illness, and even chronic diseases such as diabetes can contribute to bad breath.

Another bad breath tip - don't smoke tobacco. And another: avoid alcohol. Both of these habits cause a decrease in saliva production that encourages bacterial growth. For a healthy diet to prevent bad breath, consult a good food guide. Aim for low fat, low sugar, high fiber foods, including lots of colorful vegetables. A lack of carbohydrates in the diet causes the body to burn fat and produce ketones, which have an unpleasant odor when exhaled in the breath - so include carbohydrates like whole grains, potatoes, and pasta in moderation. Make sure you are getting adequate amounts of the B vitamins, as well as Vitamin C and zinc in your diet.

If, in spite of following every helpful bad breath tip, you still find yourself dealing with the problem of halitosis, purchase a reputable bad breath product, remembering that you likely need something that will decrease the numbers of odor producing bacteria in the mouth. Once you get the bacteria under control, continued use of the product and/or living a healthy lifestyle can help prevent bad breath from recurring.

Rid of Bad Breath

Getting rid of bad breath is a challenge that never seems to go away. Though almost all of us have an unpleasant taste in the mouth from time to time, and an offensive odor on the breath, an unfortunate few have a really bad case of chronic halitosis - although we've discovered what generates the odor, we still don't always know why, or how to permanently fix the problem.

When we're fighting bad breath, in some cases the answers are clear: gum disease and dental decay are well known causes of that bad odor. It's not the inflammation and cavities themselves that smell; it's the bacteria that are able to proliferate under those conditions. These are anaerobic bacteria - bacteria that grow in places where there is no oxygen, like in pockets and folds of receding gums, between unhealthy teeth, and on the back of the tongue. When they metabolize proteins for energy, they give of the odor of typical bad breath. To get rid of bad breath in this scenario, the first step is to treat the problems in the mouth.

Similarly, if there are sinus problems, or post nasal drip, fighting bad breath involves trying to make the sinuses and nasal passages healthier places. That constant flow of mucus and dead cells from inflammation down the back of the throat fosters the growth of the same anaerobic bacteria found in gum disease. If the problem can be healed or even improved, it may get rid of bad breath without any other action being needed.

Sometimes, however, it's not clear what's causing the problem, or attempts to remedy the situation don't get rid of bad breath. In these cases, all one can do is treat the symptom rather than the underlying cause. First, visit you dentist and doctor to be sure there isn't something you've missed and to confirm that you really do have bad breath (a lot of people actually think they have halitosis when they do not). If medical specialists confirm that you are fighting bad breath and that you are basically healthy, you'll need to experiment with a few breath products to find something that works for you.

Remember that the odor is caused by anaerobic bacteria - the best approach to get rid of bad breath is to focus on eliminating these bacteria. Fresh breath products approach the problem in different ways. Some contain chemicals like chlorhexidine that are antibacterial and kill the offenders directly. Others deliver oxygen, or the mineral zinc, both of which make the mouth an unwelcoming place for anaerobes. Another type of breath freshener focuses on physical removal of bacteria for fighting bad breath. Some, of course, combine the different approaches.
Fighting bad breath can be a long ordeal, but a step-by-step approach to the problem will eventually yield results.

Bad Breath Symptom

What is the most common bad breath symptom? Well, since people tend not to be able to detect their own bad breath, the most common symptom is probably the reaction that it provokes in other people. When someone has bad breath, others tend to keep their distance while holding a conversation. They may avert their faces, offer a mint or gum, or politely move away. In more embarrassing exchanges, people may cover their noses or make comments about the odor. The more sensitive, usually friends, will tactfully mention that you are having a breath problem and suggest that you invest in some mouthwash.

All of this proves that our noses are the best bad breath detector, at least for the odor on the breath of other people. If you suspect that you have bad breath due to some other bad breath symptom, perhaps a bad taste in your mouth, or a concern about post nasal drip or raw throat, the most accurate way to find out whether you are right is to ask someone else. This can a sensitive and embarrassing experiment - many people are not too keen on sniffing someone else's breath even if it doesn't smell bad. Choose your partner or a trusted friend, or a doctor, to help you with this. Naturally, you should not ask anyone to test your breath if you suspect that you have a contagious upper respiratory infection as you may pass it on.

Some bad breath clinics use a human nose to measure breath odor, but others use a kind of technology that acts as a bad breath detector. This technology generally measures the amount of volatile sulfur compounds that are present in a person's exhalations. Volatile sulfur compounds are molecules containing sulfur that are produced by bacteria living in the mouth. Lots of volatile sulfur compounds on the breath equate to bad breath odor, the same bad breath symptom that is detected by the human nose. Both methods provide an estimate of the levels of volatile sulfur compounds, but the detector can provide a result that is more acceptable to patients because it is less subjective.

In the end, the major bad breath symptom is, in fact, bad smelling breath. Though it may be indicative that something is off balance in the mouth, it is usually not, in itself, a sign of anything dangerous. It's more of a social problem - if you have no indication that other people find your breath objectionable, you probably don't need any other bad breath detector.

Kitten Bad Breath

Although kitten bad breath is not a common problem for new kitten owners, some people do find that their kittens breath smells bad. Not surprisingly, bad breath in cats and kittens can be caused by the same things that cause halitosis in humans - gum or dental problems, respiratory problems, or underlying disease. There are also a few things particular to cats that can cause an unpleasant odor on the breath.

Feline bad breath is often caused by tartar build up on the teeth. Just like in dogs and humans, tartar on the teeth fosters the growth of oral bacteria that produce volatile sulfur compounds, airborne molecules that smell very unpleasant. Although tartar has not generally had time to accumulate enough to cause kitten bad breath, you should check the condition of your kitten's teeth and gums to be sure there is no tartar or inflammation there. If you see signs of trouble, a trip to the vet is probably in order.

Respiratory problems can also be a cause of kitten bad breath. This is usually easy to pinpoint because it will be accompanied by signs of respiratory illness. Again, like humans and dogs, cats can get viral or bacterial infections of the nasal passages, throat and lungs. In turn these infections can encourage the growth of bacteria and may cause feline bad breath. If your cat has a respiratory infection accompanied by bad breath, the breath problem should resolve as soon as the cat recovers.

Another unusual cause of feline bad breath can be underlying illness - some metabolic disorders and organ problems such as kidney disease can cause an unusual odor on the breath. In most cases, the odor will not the typical sulfur smell of classic halitosis, but may still be quite unpleasant. A kitten bad breath problem that can't be attributed to any other common cause may be a sign that your kitten has a more serious problem that should immediately be assessed by a vet.

One cause of feline bad breath that is particular to cats is feline acne. If your cat has feline acne, you will see black specks or bumps on the cat's chin. These black spots are a buildup of secretions from the animal's glands, and the affected area can also be a site for the proliferation of colonizing bacteria. This unhealthy area can be the source of an unpleasant odor around the mouth, so part of your search for the cause of kitten bad breath should be an examination of your cat's chin. Feline acne can be treated with disinfectants: consult your vet for professional advice.

Infant Bad Breath

Usually, when we think about bad breath, we are not thinking of infant bad breath. The breath of infants and small children is generally quite pleasant: halitosis in this age group is relatively rare. It does occur from time to time, however, and dealing with it requires some special considerations.

In a young child bad breath can be a sign of some other illness, so before taking any specific measures to treat the breath odor, ask yourself if your child appears healthy. Is he or she eating a healthy balanced diet? Are there any signs of illness such as digestive upsets, respiratory problems, allergies? Has your child had a checkup with the doctor and dentist recently? Particularly in the case of infant bad breath, some signs of underlying illness can be very subtle, so if you have any doubts, make the appropriate appointments.

Identifying the source of uncomplicated child bad breath can be a process of elimination. If the problem is chronic, it is probably not being caused by occasional ingestion of problem foods like garlic, spices, or strong cheese. In many cases, increased attention to oral hygiene will solve the problem. Because most breath odors originate in the mouth, it's important for children to brush well and often. Avoiding sweet foods can also help as sugar promotes both bacterial growth and tooth decay. These possibilities, however, are seldom applicable to infants and infant bad breath.

In an infant bad breath is not usually due to poor oral hygiene, but may occur if there are sores in the mouth. Many infants suck pacifiers or other objects which become coated with saliva and oral bacteria and may be the source of an unpleasant odor. Wash pacifiers often and replace them as soon as they begin to look worn. If your baby sucks on a blanket or stuffed toy, wash it frequently. Also, check for nasal blockage: foreign objects obstructing the nostrils will soon cause problems of various types. Even sinus congestion due to a cold or allergy will cause a child to breathe through the mouth, which dries out the oral tissues and results in child bad breath.

When attempting to treat infant bad breath, remember that children should not be given antiseptic mouthwash or many of the other things that adults commonly use. Babies can’t be trusted not to swallow mouthwash or choke on breath mints. Before using any product to treat child bad breath, read the label carefully and/or consult your doctor.