Bad Breath

 

For years, the cause of chronic bad breath has been misdiagnosed. 

These days, people spend a great deal of time on their health and fitness. Exercise, nutrition and an emphasis on general wellness are important to people not only for medical reasons, but for social ones as well. Everyone wants to look his or her best. Unfortunately many people around the world suffer from a condition that cannot be cured at a health club, spa or even a hospital: Chronic bad breath. 

It is estimated that over 80 million people worldwide suffer from bad breath, or halitosis. An estimated 90% of people have periodic bad breath or morning breath and 40% suffer from chronic halitosis. In the past, treatment has consisted of masking the odor with mouthwashes or mints, flooding the mouth with alcohol-based rinses, or the latest craze, popping pills that claim to cure the problem in the stomach. None of these treatments work, because bacteria on the back of the tongue cause halitosis and upper throat that produce sulfurous gases. The way to stop bad breath is to stop this process. 

You’re the last to know. Because bad breath originated in the mouth it is virtually undetectable by your own sense of smell. You may notice a bitter, sour taste in your mouth or a whitish coating on the back of your tongue, but you generally find out there’s a problem when family members or co-workers brings it to your attention. At that point, you need an effective long lasting and easy to use method of eliminating the problem. Without proper treatment, chronic bad breath can lead to a loss of confidence and self-esteem, and it can even result in depression. The problem can aversely affect your marriage, social life, career and relationship with family members. 

The source of bad breath does not originate in the digestive system, and the food you eat had no direct effect on your breath. Certain foods, however, contribute to the production of sulfurous gases in the back of your mouth; Acids in coffee and proteins in dairy products exacerbate the problem. Mints and mouthwashes intended to mask or prevent bad breath actually worsen the condition because of the sugar and alcohol dry out the mouth. Many common medications for everything from high blood pressure to depression have the same drying effect, resulting in the formation of odorous gases. Mucous from post-nasal drip contains dense proteins that are full of sulfur.

The surface of the tongue is the main breeding ground for bacteria and plaque that later attack teeth and gums. The bacteria in the mouth has been linked to heart disease and diabetes. Clinical studies have linked periodontal disease and poor oral health to coronary heart disease, the leading cause of death in the United States.