Brush away bad breath

It's a social disaster everyone dreads -- knocking someone over with your breath.

Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor oral hygiene habits and may be a sign of other health problems, according to WebMD. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.

"The major cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene," said Dr. David Kaelin of Cape Girardeau. "Food particles and other debris not removed from the mouth are attacked by normal flora bacteria of the mouth which produces a sulfur compound that causes an unpleasant odor."

Other causes are diabetes, liver disease, drugs, poor diet, infections, heavy metal accumulations, smoking and stress, Kaelin said.

Basically, all the food you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing -- even mouthwash -- merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body.

Warning signs

Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum disease, WebMD says. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If periodontal disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.

Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth and dental cavities.

Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, liver or kidney problems.

Low-carb diets may be good for your waistline, but you might not be able to say the same for your breath.

"A low-carb diet can cause halitosis because they work by getting the body to burn stored fat as fuel rather than carbohydrates," Kaelin said. "As the fat burns, chemicals called ketones build up in the body. They are released through the breath and urine, and they are very smelly.

'Double whammy'

"If you combine a low-carb diet with poor oral hygiene you get a double whammy, because high-protein foods can produce more sulfur compounds, especially at overnight on the surface of the tongue when saliva production is diminished. This combined with the ketone release makes for a really bad day."

Halitosis can be controlled. Kaelin suggests:

* See your dentist for a periodontal exam and professional teeth cleaning.

* Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day and don't forget to brush your tongue.

* Clean and replace your toothbrush every three months.

* Use a mouthwash after brushing. Avoid mouthwashes with flavorings, dyes and alcohol.

* Drink plenty of water to wash away germs and food particles in the mouth.

* Chew parsley after meals. It is rich in chlorophyll, a natural mouthwash.

* If the bad breath persists, see a doctor. Halitosis can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as diabetes or liver disease.

lredeffer@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160

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Tips for Brushing

Brush at least twice a day. If you can, brush after every meal. Brushing removes plaque, a film of bacteria that clings to teeth. To brush:

* Place a pea-sized dab of fluoride toothpaste on the head of the toothbrush. (Use a soft toothbrush.)

* Place the toothbrush against the teeth at a 45-degree angle to the gum line.

* Move the brush across the teeth using a small circular motion. Continue with this motion cleaning one tooth at a time. Keep the tips of the bristles against the gum line. Avoid pressing so hard that the bristles lie flat against the teeth. (Only the tips of the toothbrush clean the teeth.) Let the bristles reach into spaces between teeth.

* Brush across the top of the chewing surfaces of the teeth. Make sure the bristles get into the groves and crevices.

* Use the same small circular motion to clean the backside of the upper and lower teeth - the side that faces the tongue.

* To clean the inside of the bottom front teeth, angle the head in an up-and-down position toward the bottom inside of the mouth and move the toothbrush in a small circle.

* For the inside of the top front teeth, angle the brush in an up-and-down position with the tip of the head pointing towards the roof of the mouth. Move the toothbrush in a small circle.

* Give your tongue a few gentle brush strokes, brushing from the back of your tongue forward. Do not scrub. This helps remove bacteria and freshens your breath.

* After brushing your teeth for two to three minutes, rinse your mouth with water.

* Replace your toothbrush with a new one every 3 to 4 months.

Source: WebMD

Tips for Flossing

Floss once a day. Flossing gets rid of food and plaque between the teeth, where your toothbrush cannot reach. If plaque stays between teeth, it can harden into tartar, which must be removed by a dentist. To floss:

* Remove about an 18-inch strip of floss from the dispenser.

* Wind the floss around the middle fingers of each hand, leaving a 1-inch section open for flossing. Floss the top teeth first, then the bottom.

* Place the floss in your mouth and use your index fingers to push the floss between the teeth. Be careful not to push too hard and injure the gums.

* Move the floss up and down against the tooth and up and around the gum line. The floss should form a C-shape around the tooth as you floss.

* Floss between each tooth as well as behind the back teeth.

* Use a clean section of floss as needed and take up used floss by winding it around the fingers.

Source: WebMD