Getting rid of bad breath can be a challenge. Typical home treatments if effective at all were only a temporary solution. Dentists, until recent years, would often compound the problem with traditional dental hygiene solutions that never addressed the real issue which are the creation of volatile sulfur compounds or VSC’s. Contrary to the once held belief that bad breath odor comes from the stomach; research has proven that this usually is not the case. There are a variety of bad breath causes but many are the result of giving bacteria natively inherent in the oral cavity an opportunity to produce volatile sulfur compounds. The Ideal home treatment for bad breath will prevent or reduce VSC production.
Who is Dr. Harold Katz
Dr. Katz world renowned bad breath specialist and founder of the California Breath clinics is a graduate of the University of Los Angeles (UCLA) school of dentistry. Dr. Katz has also been awarded a degree in Bacteriology.
In 1993 he began his search to find a bad breath treatment experimented with a series of compounds that would attack the Anaerobic Sulfur-Producing bacteria which caused bad breath. Out of these studies was born what is now known as the TheraBreath
System. After much experimentation Dr. Katz discovered that properly PH buffered oxygenating compounds proved to be a successful treatment for chronic bad breath.
How To Find Out If You Have Bad breath
Clinical testing with the use of a Halimeter for unusually high concentrations of sulfides in the breath.
In Home Testing
Lick the back of your hand wait about 10 seconds and smell for a bad odor.
This works because you are checking for sulfur compounds that have been transferred from your tongue to the back of your hand.
Do Breath Mints, Mouthwashes And Gums Work
Popular over the counter breath mints gums and candies only temporarily freshen breath because they contain ingredients like sugar which help to increase the production of VSC’s (volatile sulfur compounds the major cause of bad breath).
Mouthwashes are no better because most contain alcohol or sugars and both ingredients aid bacteria in producing sulfur compounds.
Zox breath fresheners contain no sugar but a natural sweetener called Xylitol. Zox breath fresheners also contain Zinc Gluconate which helps to neutralize VSC production.
Symptoms Of Bad Breath
• Whitish Globs On Tonsils
• White Coating On Tongue
• Post Nasal Drip
• Dry Mouth
• Thick Saliva
• Sour, Bitter Or Metallic Taste
Causes Of Bad Breath
There is no one cause for bad breath but many which create a fertile environment for bacteria to flourish.
• Hormonal Changes
• Diabetes
• Post Nasal Drip
• Dry Mouth
• Alcohol
• Smoking
• Medications causing dry mouth
• Excess Mucus in the throat
• High Protein Diets
Medications Which Can Cause Bad Breath
• Anorexiants
• Anticonvulsants (seizures)
• Antidepressants
• Antihistamines(Cold Medications)
• Antihypertensive(High blood pressure)
• Bronchodilators
• Decongestants
• Narcotics
Foods
There are many foods that cause bad breath because they produce sulfur compounds. And even though we all hate bad breath it is unlikely that many of us will stop eating these foods entirely. But we can cut our consumption of foods known to produce VSC’s. Furthermore, we can take measures that will neutralize their ability to cause bad breath by using an oxygenating solution.
• Onions
• Garlic
• Coffee
• Milk
• Cheese
• Most Dairy Products
• Fish
• Red Meat
• Beans
• Alcohol
Conditions That Cause Bad Breath
Dry mouth (Xerostomia) produce less saliva resulting in the absence or reduced levels of oxygen. Sulfur compounds thrive under these conditions resulting in what is commonly referred to as bad breath or Halitosis.
Post Nasal Drip
When a person has Post Nasal Drip mucus coats the back of the throat and tongue. Mucus contains protein strands. These protein strands are broken down by bacteria to form Hydrogen Sulfide (rotten egg smell) and Methyl Mercaptan which cause bad breath.
Tonsil Stones
Tonsilloliths or Tonsil Stones are caused by an accumulation of sulfur producing bacteria which become lodged in the tonsils.
AktivOxigen/Nasal-Sinus Drops assist in preventing Tonsil Stones.
A daily routine of using an oxygenating toothpaste, mouthwash and tongue scrapper will help
Getting Rid Of Morning Breath
VSC’s (volatile sulfur compounds) cause morning breath. During sleep VSC’s are produced because of decreased saliva production resulting in dry mouth.
Coating the throat before bedtime with an oxygenating solution can reduce or in many cases remove the symptoms of morning bad breath.
Bad Breath Can Be Treated But No Known Cure
Because the bacteria that cause bad breath are a part of the digestive process, it would be impossible to remove them. Instead we prevent these bacteria from producing volatile sulfur compounds (odor causing sulfur compounds).
