THiKCHiK wrote:

---

Recent studies have shown up to 90% of all cases of halitosis (bad breath) can be contributed to harmful bacteria that are not removed by brushing, flossing, or gargling alone.

The American Dental Association News recently reported that halitosis experts agree that the dominant cause of bad breath is the bacteria on the tongue.
 
^^This is so true! People don't realize how important brushing one's tongue is.

The tongue is a rough surface that provides the bacteria with plenty of hiding places. When we eat, debris left over from food and normal mucus production build the "coating" on our tongues. This coating provides the bacteria with a "safe" hiding place. Why is it safe? Because the bacteria are anaerobic – oxygen is lethal to them. So the bacteria, hidden in the safety of the tongue’s coating, do their "dirty work" releasing odorous gasses in the process.

This is the primary cause of halitosis. It also leads to increased risk of decay (especially root surface decay), and a decreased sense of taste.

Some companies would have you believe that bad breath is caused by a "sour stomach." This is true only in about 1 of 10 people, and that type of bad breath is temporary.

Self Test for Halitosis (Bad Breath)

Cup your hand over your nose and mouth and exhale. Do you smell anything?

If you do, you have probably eaten something today that is causing the odor. As mentioned above, this type of halitosis is usually temporary (lasting from a few hours to a few days).

If you do not smell an odor, there are two possibilities:

1. You do not have bad breath
2. You have bad breath, but your nose has "desensitized" itself (just as one "gets used to" an odor in a room after being in it for some time).

"Self-testing" simply is not reliable for this reason. You can risk it (and your social life)… or you can be safe.
According to the ADA News, tongue cleaning is the most effective weapon dentists can offer to fight halitosis. And, tongue cleaning yields numerous oral hygiene benefits.

Still dying to know if your breath is offensive? The nose (not yours!) knows. Ask a close (honest) friend, or your dentist or hygienist. You can also watch for these clues. Do people tend to…

• Stand far away from you in conversation?
• Turn their heads away when you are speaking?
• Kiss you on the cheek (instead of the lips)?

If so, you may have halitosis (bad breath).

A recent study showed that mouthwashes (even "antibacterial" brands), gums, and breath mints merely mask the problem. They only work for a short time (an hour at most) because the bacteria are still alive and well. Even if you are using an antibacterial mouth-wash, the bacteria are comfortable lurking in the safety under the coating of the tongue. All of the mouthwashes currently available over the counter add to the "compost pile" on the tongue, instead of reducing it.

^^ This is so true! Mouthwash is really not good for you. Listerine is too freaking strong. I don't know what they have in that joint; I've always been skeptical of that crap!

The key is to remove the coating on the tongue.

There is one type of mouthwash that works in conjunction with tongue cleaning for optimum hygiene. Ask your dentist for a mouthwash containing chlorine dioxide. Use it after you clean your tongue.

Many people ask me if brushing the tongue with a toothbrush is enough to remove the coating. Although brushing the tongue is a step in the right direction, it merely loosens the coating. It does not remove it. Removing the coating is crucial to killing the bacteria that cause bad breath.

There are tongue cleaners available today on the market. They are devices that glide gently along the top of the tongue and remove the coating.

I recommend that my patients clean their tongue when brushing the teeth. Once or twice daily is best. You should first clean your tongue, then brush, floss, "waterpik", and rinse with the special mouthwash if you have it.
http://breathaid.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=DENTIST

Just a helpful hint......

dapz*
13...13 mins after the hour

---