Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a problem that is more common in adults than children.  According to the American Dental Association, it can frequently be a symptom of a health condition or a side effect of a medication (i.e. decongestants, antihistamines, diuretics, and pain relievers). 

Sometimes dry mouth causes the following: a sore throat, burning sensation, hoarse voice, difficulty with speaking and/or swallowing, and nasal dryness.  Consequently, if chronic dry mouth is not remedied, it can lead to tooth decay and damage! This is because saliva is needed to prevent a dry oral cavity, neutralize acids and dispose of food/tartar build-up.  Plaque can create acids that cause damage to the teeth.   Furthermore, a dry mouth is usually accompanied by bad breath. 

If a person’s mouth is excessively dry, it can negatively affect the oral tissues, sometimes causing inflammation and a higher risk of getting an infection.  If you suspect you have chronic dry mouth, consult your dentist for a checkup and look for treatments. 

Source: MSN

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According to Air America, people refer to Dr. Harold Katz as the “final authority” on breath.  Dr. Katz has been on countless televsion shows like the CBS Early Show, The View, and he’s helped millions of people around the globe get fresher breath.  Some of his main areas of expertise are halitosis, dry mouth, and tonsil stones.  He went on The Lionel Show on December 11, 2009 to talk about “The Horrors of Holiday halitosis-2/" title="Halitosis">Halitosis”.  It’s definitely not a joking manner, especially if you’re standing under a mistletoe.

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Note from Dr. Katz’ desk:

As a dentist specializing in the treatment of halitosis, I have treated over ten thousand patients through the California Breath Clinics. I typically start each first consultation with a brief overview I thought would be helpful to share with you. It goes a little something like this…

Everyone has the germs responsible for bad breath living on their tongue and in the back of their throat. Under the right circumstances, those germs will cause bad breath. The trick to always having fresh breath is stopping those bad breath germs from gobbling up protein, digesting it, and excreting sulfur all over your mouth… Sorry about painting that picture, but it’s a very accurate description of what takes place in your mouth every day.

Luckily, it’s not complicated to keep bad breath bacteria in check. Here are five simple and common sense tips you can use every day to minimize opportunities for halitosis to strike:

1. Drink plenty of water

It’s good for you. It keeps you strong, thin, healthy, and young looking. It also keeps your breath fresh. A well hydrated mouth is one rich with saliva. Saliva is your body’s own and most effective germ fighter. Drink more water, have more saliva, control mouth germs, have fresher breath. Simple, right?

2. Check your prescriptions

Medication that may improve your overall health may also improve the environment for bad breath germs. Many prescriptions have dry mouth as a side effect. Dry mouth means a lack of saliva and rampant bacterial growth. If you experience Dry Mouth from prescriptions, using a regimen such a TheraBreath Toothpaste and Oral Rinse will help restore a healthy amount of moisture and encourage saliva production. A healthy level of saliva is necessary to maintain fresh breath.

3. Rinse after every meal (even if it’s only with water)

Most people brush only once a day. As a dentist, it’s disappointing to say the least. That means that food you have at breakfast after your morning brushing has a chance to feed bacteria in your mouth for 23 or so hours. That’s more than enough time to not only feed bad breath bacteria but to encourage plaque and decay. If I can’t get you to brush after every meal, at least rinse with drinking water. Swish it around vigorously to remove traces of sugars and proteins and dislodge any food that may stick in between teeth and gums. Then spit or swallow, as the occasion dictates.

Remember however that water will simply remove pollutants that will feed bacteria that cause bad breath. To effectively control this bacteria you will need to use a toothpaste and mouthwash with an active ingredient such as TheraBreath. And don’t be like most people… remember to brush every morning AND every night. Your dentist will thank you.

4. Protein supplements feed germs too

Many nutritional supplements like whey and creatine are a germs perfect snack. It makes sense. Those supplements are designed to rapidly and efficiently feed your body. On the way to your stomach they feed hungry germs in your oral cavity as well. If you are taking protein supplements make sure you carefully and thoroughly brush and rinse after every dose. Don’t give bad breath germs a free meal.

5. A white or yellow tongue means germs are having a party

The colored coating on your tongue is actually a layer of bacteria waste. There, I said it. If your tongue has a thick coating that is white or yellow, it typically means bacteria are running wild. You will usually see such a coating if you forgot to brush the night before, after drinking alcohol which both feeds bacteria and dries your mouth, or if you are having a minor sore throat or other bacterial infection.

To help the problem, clean your tongue as well as the inside of your cheeks with either a tongue scraper or toothbrush covered with TheraBreath Toothpaste. This will quickly remove the coating and begin to control the bacteria producing it. Left unchecked, this bacteria can lead to much worse oral care problems than simple halitosis.

My patients have always found these tips helpful, and I hope you will too.

Yours in good health,

Dr. Harold Katz

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Especially nowadays, many people are interested in alternative treatments to ailments like halitosis. Chinese herbs can be useful in treating bad breath without you having to worry about harsh chemicals. Of course, before using these herbs, you should have a consultation with an expert in the field so you can take any necessary precautions. Bitter herbs can be used to treat halitosis along with mouth ulcers; irritability; thirst; increased hunger; red tongue; red, swollen, or ulcerated gums; swollen lips or mouth; dry mouth; yellow coated tongue, and so on. Some common herbs used in Chinese medicine for banishing bad breath are Shan Zhi Zi, Huang Lian, and Mu Dan Pi. Various concoctions including other herbs such as trifala, senne leaves, aloe vera, and rhubarb can also get rid of bad breath.

If you are serious about getting rid of your bad breath and are not sure what is causing it, you should check with a doctor so you take the correct path in treating it.

According to Chinese medicine, one should regularly eat “cool” foods (low in temperature) like cabbage, lettuce, pears, peaches, oranges, melons (cantaalope, watermelon, honey dew), zucchini, cucumber, corn, snow peas, celery, carrots, and broccoli. It is also recommended that you should reduce the amount of spicy/hot foods, greasy/fatty foods, alcohol, and coffee that you consume if you want to avoid dragon breath.

You can combine Chinese remedies, “cool” foods, and recommendations from a licensed acupuncture physician in order to combat your halitosis.

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There are many different causes of bad breath, as most of us know by now. Another cause is gluten intolerance (also known as celiac disease), which can cause halitosis, white tongue (a coating of white on the tongue that will not go away), and mucus in the throat.

Since the body’s own immune system causes damage with celiac disease, it is said to be an autoimmune disorder. This disease exists in one’s digestive and damages the small intestine, not allowing the correct absorption of nutrients. What happens is the small intestine is damaged as gluten is consumed, and the villi on the lining of the small intestine are lost. These villi are supposed to be what is absorbing the nutrients into the bloodstream. Without villi, a person becomes malnourished, no matter how much he or she eats. Those who have this disease cannot tolerate gluten, which is often found in rye, wheat, barley, oats, and so on.

This disease runs in families, and can be triggered by pregnancy, childbirth, viral infections, surgery, or severe emotional trauma. Different people have different symptoms.

One way to know that you might have a problem with gluten is if you begin a diet that is gluten-free and the symptoms (like bad breath, bloating and gas) go away. Some people with mild cases of this disease may never be diagnosed, so their sensitivity to gluten remains unexplained. However, other health issues can cause similar symptoms, so do not jump to conclusions until you have a solid diagnosis.

In order to get diagnosed with celiac disease, one usually needs to run blood tests that check for the antibodies antigliadin, anti-endomysium and antireticulin.

For those who have a genetic predisposition to celiac disease, there might not be a cure, and the only way to deal with this problem is to simply avoid gluten. If you do have a gluten intolerance and continue eating gluten, you are more likely to develop rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, and cancer.

It is thought that some people may never be diagnosed with celiac disease because the case may be mild, but they might still have a gluten sensitivity.

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Bad breath, especially morning breath, can be a problem for everyone. Sometimes mouthwash is not enough, and the problem is chronic. Dry mouth can be a main cause of bad breath, since saliva is the the body’s natural defense against oral bacteria. Many things can cause dry mouth, including alcohol, medicines, stress, medical conditions, nasal infections, foods high in protein, smoking and poor oral hygiene. Since bad breath can be so embarrassing, it is no surprise that it can cause social problems and mental problems. Some people may be afraid to talk to others or refuse to go out. Seclusion can cause depression and if the sufferers take up comfort eating, weight gain can also occur.

Which remedies for bad breath actually work? Baking soda has been involved in many home remedies, and in some situations, it does not work. However, with bad breath it tends to work. If you brush your teeth and tongue with a tiny bit of baking soda, it can make the mouth have a less hospitable environment for the bad breath-causing bacteria to grow.

Also, homemade tea tree mouthwashes have become more popular in the fight against bad breath. Tea tree is supposed to be a powerful disinfectant, so if you add just a few drops of tea tree oil to your mouthwash, you’re already on your way to fresher breath. Also, there are other ingredients that you can add to your mouthwash in order to make your breath fresher, such as peppermint. Rinse your mouth out at least two times a day and you will very likely have an improvement in the way your breath smells!

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Redbook recently has compiled a list of bad breath remedies / treatments if you happen to have a problem with bad breath (halitosis).   Here are ten bad breath remedies mentioned in Redbook:

1. Brush and floss your teeth 2-3X daily.
2. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue.
3. Eat around 6 oz. of plain yogurt each day to reduce the foul odor causing bacteria (due to the active cultures/probiotics in yogurt)
4. Eat ‘detergent’ vegetables – Textured foods like carrots and apples will help clean your tongue
5. Stay hydrated, because bacteria thrive when you have dry mouth, which helps cause bad breath
6. Drink tea (especially green tea).  Tea contains polyphenols, which are compounds that inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath
7. Eat parsley- Since parsley has chlorophyll, this can help halt your halitosis
8. Use the correct mouthwash- Rinse at least 30 seconds each night (preferably using a mouthwash without alcohol)
9. Chew sugarless gum- this increases the production of saliva, thus hydrating your mouth
10. Avoid spicy and strong smelling foods that cause bad breath       

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What Is Gum Disease? 

Gum disease, also known was periodontal disease, is an infection of the tissues and bones surrounding and supporting the teeth.  The shallow v-shaped crevice between the tooth and the gums is called a sulcus, and gum diseases attack right below the gum line in the sulcus, where it causes the tissues to break down.  The sulcus can develop into a pocket as the tissues break down.

There are two stages.  Gingivitis is reversible and milder than the periodontitis stage, since it only affects the gums.  Gingivitis generally involves having swollen, red gums that bleed easily when one flosses/brushes.  Generally it does not cause pain.  Gingivitis can turn into periodontitis, which is a much serious and destructive version of periodontal disease.  Periodontitis involves the gums pulling away from the teeth, leaving deep pockets where the bacteria can grow and damage the bone that supports the teeth.  The gums also shrink back from the teeth, and the teeth may need to be pulled out, or may become loose and fall out. 

Gum Disease Causes

People’s mouths are always creating plaque, which is a clear and sticky substance that contains bacteria.  The bacteria contains toxins that can irritate the gums and cause gum infection.  It is necessary to remove plaque from one’s teeth regularly otherwise the plaque can spread below the gums and damage the tooth-supporting bone.  Hardened plaque is known as tartar and has to be removed by a dentist/dental hygienist. 

Here are some factors that increase the risk of gum disease occurring:

-          Chewing or smoking tobacco
-          Certain medications (Steroids, some types of anti-epilepsy drugs, cancer therapy drugs, calcium channel blockers and oral contraceptives)
-          Uneven teeth
-          Bridges that do not fit properly
-          Pregnancy/hormonal changes
-          Defective fillings
-          Poor oral hygiene
-          Genetic predisposition
-          Weak immunity system, possibly caused by:
            *Excessive amounts of stress
            *Poor diet
            *Diabetes and/or other systemic diseases

Gum Disease Warning Signs

Gingivitis Symptoms

-          Gums that easily bleed
-          Tender/bright  red/swollen gums

Periodontitis Symptoms

-          Pus between teeth and gums
-          Gums pulling away from the teeth
-          Chronic bad breath/foul tastes
-          Permanent teeth that are becoming loose/separating
-          Change in the way that one’s dentures fit
-          Change in the way one’s teeth fit together when biting

How is Gum Disease Diagnosed?

An oral care expert will know to look for the following:

-          Bleeding gums
-          Plaque/tartar buildup above and below the gum line
-          Areas where the gum tissue is pulling away from the teeth
-          Growing pockets between the gums and teeth

Gum Disease Treatment

If the gum disease is mild, simply brushing, flossing, and going to the dentist regularly should be enough to get rid of it.

If the gum disease becomes worse and one has periodontitis, root planing and scaling may be in order.  This rids the mouth of plaque and tartar buildup.  Antibiotics might be recommended, and surgery could be necessary depending on how severe the disease is.

One can have periodontal disease without having any symptoms.  This makes dental visits and examinations important.  The type of treatment one should get depends on the type and severity of gum disease.  Good dental hygiene should be practiced in order to prevent the disease from occurring, becoming worse, or recurring.  Periodontal disease does not mean you will lose your teeth.  In order to maintain good oral hygiene, one should brush, floss, use mouthwash, eat a healthy diet, and schedule regular dental examinations.

Source: ADA, Web MD 

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Reuters published an article about a study that found antidepressant use has more than doubled in the US, going from 13 million to 27 million Americans, between the years 1996 and 2005.  One of the reasons may be that more Americans are accepting the diagnosis of depression than ever before.  An increase in use, however, has not been seen among blacks.   

The researchers noticed that not only are more Americans using antidepressants, but they are also receiving more antidepressant descriptions.  According to IMS Health, more than 164 million prescriptions were written last year for antidepressants, costing people $9.6 billion in the United States.   

As with most medications, there are many negative symptoms.  These include the obvious dry mouth and bad breath, which are symptoms in most prescription drugs.  For that, patients should try out TheraBreath and ZOX Breath Mints. 

These drugs affect the brain chemical serotonin, and studies found that those undergoing treatment with antipsychotic medications were less likely to undergo psychotherapy.  However, the decrease in visits to therapists may be attributed to the out-of-pocket costs for visits and lower insurance coverage. 

The FDA added its strongest warning on the use of all antidepressants in children and teens, called the “black box.”   Unfortunately, clinical trials have showed the increase in suicidal thoughts/behaviors in people using antidepressants, especially children and teens.

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Check out this really cool interactive dental game that you can play online!   You also can learn a lot about dentistry while playing it.  It is a lot more fun than actually going to the dentist– you can take our word for it. 

Play Glenn Martin, DDS: Dental Adventure at Shockwave

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