A Japanese study published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology has shown a strong link between Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori, the bacteria that can cause stomach ulcers and stomach cancer) and gum disease. However, you may see articles on the internet and on the news incorrectly stating that this bacteria causes bad breath. Dr. Nao Suzuki, leader of the study group, specifically stated that H. pylori does not produce volatile sulfur compounds. Therefore, it does NOT directly produce bad breath.

On the other hand, it is closely associated with a wide variety of anaerobic bacteria that cause gum disease. Many of you who are familiar with my own research years ago on the link between gum disease and bad breath, already understand that gum disease can create bad breath by providing fuel to the sulfur-producing bacteria already in the mouth, under the gums, and in the throat and tonsils.

These “fuels” include broken down oral tissue (which contain proteins necessary for odor producing bacteria to create odors) and blood (more proteins for the bad breath bugs). As the gum tissue recedes in the disease process or becomes swollen, it creates a home perfectly designed as a breeding ground for more anaerobic bacteria, since oxygen cannot get into deep pockets.

H. pylori thrives in an acidic environment - after all, it’s real home (in the digestive system) is bathed with gastric juices 24/7. We believe that the increasing incidence of H. pylori in the oral cavity may be due to the highly acidic oral products that have hit the market recently. Most mouthwash, for example, have a pH in the 4-5 range (7.0 is neutral and the lower the number the more acidic). The acidic mouthwashes include those that contain alcohol, those that require mixing, and many of the non-alcohol versions that use strong flavors and/or colors as marketing gimmicks.

H. pylori can be detected by a breath test, blood test, and other tests given to you by a specialist. It is best to get checked out by a professional right away if you suspect that you have this bacteria spiraling out of control in your system.

The good news is that all of our formulas (TheraBreath, PerioTherapy, etc) are above 7.0 and therefore work as ANTACIDS in the oral cavity.

Also, some doctors would prescribe various antibiotics for H. pylori. Make sure that if you take these, you are also taking a good probiotic to offset the damage that antibiotics can do to your immune system–meaning that when antibiotics are killing bad bacteria in your system, they are also killing the good bacteria in your system (which is what makes up your immune system).

So now that we know more about the problem - how do we avoid it — or get rid of it, if you already suffer from gum disease or bad breath? Well, prevention and treatment can be provided by the patented PerioTherapy System. PerioTherapy combines oxygenating compounds with natural and proven antimicrobials such as ZincRx, Tea Tree Oil, CoQ10, Aloe Vera, and Xylitol. The System Kit even includes trays so that the PerioTherapy Gel can be applied directly to problem gums. (PerioTherapy Gel does double duty by also working as your daily toothpaste).

http://www.periotherapy.com   Make sure to keep your gums and teeth healthy during pregnancy. If gingivitis is left unchecked, it may lead to more serious gum disease.

http://www.therabreath.com/productdetail.asp?cat=2&pid=287 A person with diabetes is at a much greater risk for gum / periodontal disease than a person who does not have diabetes.

Simple personal hygiene can go a long way when combating bad breath (halitosis).  Most of the time, bad breath is caused by carelessness and inconvenience.  Some people fail to visit the dentist enough to ensure the proper care of their teeth and gums.  Good personal hygiene and regular dental visits will help rule out the main causes of halitosis.

Metabolic Causes of Bad Breath

Some disorders in the body can cause halitosis.  Diabetes is yet another cause of bad breath, and may not cause any symptoms in the beginning.  Diabetes causes the build up of ketone (foul-smelling chemicals in the body) in the blood.  Exhaling breath can get rid of ketone naturally.  Dentists cannot fix this problem; instead, they may have to refer the patient to a specialist for treatment.  It is important that if you have chronic bad breath, that you get checked out for serious medical conditions.

If you change your diet, this can also cause bad breath.  If people are fasting or on a protein diet, they may also suffer from halitosis.  If people are trying to lose weight quickly, they use fat as energy, which encourages the build up of ketone in the bloodstream.  Therefore, it is common to have bad breath if you are on a diet or fasting.

If you want to avoid the problems of ketosis while on a diet, you should see a nutritionist and do your research.

Gum Disease, Receding Gums, and Bleeding Gums

The causes and cures of bleeding gums, gum disease, gingivitis, and periodontal disease. These problems often lead to much more severe problems like heart attacks and strokes.

Bad breath has many causes, which include deposits of bacteria on the tonsils, dental problems, various foods, and so on.  Surprisingly enough, coffee might help prevent halitosis (bad breath). According to research done at Tel Aviv University, coffee beans consist of compounds that prevent bacteria that release the gases that cause bad breath.  

Coffee mints or pastilles that halt bad breath may be created once the relevant chemicals are pinpointed. The specific compounds in the coffee that prevent malodor have not been found thus far.

This finding is quite surprising due to the fact that many people had previously believed that coffee (mixed with milk) caused bad breath.

Oral probiotics: “GOOD” bacteria that produce “anti-bad bacteria” proteins (BLIS). Learn about probiotics boosting your immunity system/oral health and preventing bad breath!

Check out http://aktiv-k12.com for more information.

Tonsil stones are bits of food that collect and harden in your tonsil area. Only
people with cryptic tonsils get these. Learn the causes and cures here.

Do you have bad breath or do you know someone who has chronic bad breath (halitosis)? If so, diagnosing the cause of the bad breath is the first step in.

Check out bad-breath.org for more information.

Dr Katz visits Fox News in Harford CT. Gum disease and halitosis can be prevented using his easy to follow system