Fight Bad Breath, Chronic Mouth Odor, and Halitosis

Did you know that 1 out of 4 people have chronic bad breath?

Do you have bad breath very often? How about your spouse? Breath rinses just don't work long, do they? Of course, this can be embarrassing, but most importantly, it usually means some type of tooth or gum bacterial problem. Dr. Edward Reifman has found several typical problems that tend to cause the odor. We help people gain odor-free breath every day! And we can help you too.

Did you know that over 95% of bad breath and mouth odors (halitosis) problems come from bacteria in the mouth?

In a few cases, bad breath may come from the nose, or stomach, but most are from the breakdown of compounds in the mouth which produce that "rotten egg" smell of sulphur (sulfur) compounds.

Sometimes bad breath can be due to gum disease, smoking, cavities, or even a chronic cold or flu. A chronic dry mouth can also contribute to bad breath problems. In many cases, where the patient doesn't have any of those problems, the solution may be something as simple as mildly altering oral home care regimens.

Dr. Reifman was recently interviewed in the Valley Daily News about the new methods of treating bad breath:

"Bad Breath Relief Goes Beyond Brushing"

By Amy Bertrand

"Breath mints, breath strips, mouthwash, toothpaste. It's a multi-billion dollar industry. Why? Because bad breath leaves a bad impression. But the truth is, it could also be a sign of bad health.

"Halitosis, another word for bad breath, can be embarrassing for those who have it. That's why Dr. Edward Reifman, a dentist in Encino, has devoted part of his website to the topic. "People used to be shy about it, but we've had a lot of people come in after seeing the site," he says. "They usually say their husband or wife is complaining."

"Reifman says that although a few cases of bad breath may result from colds and flus or stomach problems, about 95 percent come from bacteria found naturally in the mouth, which produce a 'rotten egg' or sulfur-like smell. Dry mouth, caused by illness, treatments like chemotherapy or medications such as antidepressants, can also contribute to the problem, Reifman says. That's because saliva is a cleansing agent.

"In cases where the patient doesn't have these conditions, the solution may be as simple as a more aggressive dental regimen, Reifman says.

"In addition to periodic cleanings by a dental hygienist, he suggests employing what he calls "the big four." This begins with brushing teeth after meals, and using a tongue scraper at home. Flossing is also key, and using an unscented variety make it easier to detect areas of the mouth that give off odors, he says.

"In addition, Reifman recommends using a mouthwash that contains chlorine dioxide, which destroys sulfur-containing molecules. "I personally like BreathRx, or Crest prohealth, but there's a lot of good products out there. Check the label carefully," he says. "It's a very competitive market, and there are lots of products out there, and not all of them are effective."

"OK, so what can I do to get rid of bad breath?"

• Have your teeth cleaned periodically by a thorough dental hygienist, since any gum disease or inflamed, red gums contribute to bad breath.
• When you floss, choosing unscented floss enables you to detect areas between your teeth that give off odors so you can clean them more carefully.
• Brush your teeth and gums properly. Ask your dentist to recommend a toothbrush or scraper for your tongue (yes, your tongue!) Clean your tongue all the way back gently, but thoroughly.
• Drink plenty of liquids. Chew sugar-free gum, especially if your mouth feels dry.
• Clean your mouth after eating or drinking milk products, fish and meat.
• Use proper mouthwashes. Chlorine dioxide is a common ingredient in mouthrinses for bad breath (i.e. halitosis). There are two types of chlorine dioxide rinses: stabilized and active. Both types can help reduce halitosis for short time periods by destroying the sulfur-containing molecules that cause bad breath.

The Top 10 WORST Home Remedies for Bad Breath

• Excessive mouthwash use... this produces bad-smelling tissue that is worse than you breath!
• Chewing gum... it only masks bad breath.
• Mint chewing tobacco or wintergreen smokeless tobacco causes gums to recede and increases the chance of losing the bone and fibers that hold your teeth in place, plus it can cause oral cancer.
• Infomercial items... use items that have the ADA Seal of Approval. Unapproved items could do more harm than good.
• Alcohol... will cause dry mouth causing bad breath.
• Brushing with home cleaning products... it is poisonous and dangerous...don't laugh people do do this!
• Intestinal cleansing methods... bad breath does not originate from the stomach. Anaerobic bacteria in your mouth produces bad breath.
• Using mouth-rinses containing alcohol... dries out gum tissue and only covers bad breath it does not deal with the cause.
• Tongue piercing... allows you to harbor more bacteria on your tongue where sulfur compounds that cause bad breath live.