Those of you who own those adorable bunnies may not realize how vital proper oral care is for them.  Most people do not know how many teeth rabbits actually have.  Besides the four large incisors, they have two tiny incisors, and six upper and five lower cheek teeth on each side.  Rabbits have teeth that are very much like horses’ teeth.  Their teeth are designed for constant wear because they are open-rooted, so the teeth grow nonstop their whole lives.  Because of this, rabbits need a certain amount of fiber in their diets.

A rabbit who only eats pellets will not be able to achieve the constant wear on the teeth that nature intended for it to have.  This can cause abnormal wear to the teeth and possibly sharp edges and points in the teeth, which could in turn cause cuts to the tissues in the oral cavity.  It may cause malocclusion, which is what is caused when the teeth do not meet correctly.   Malocclusion can cause problems like roots that become impacted, elongated, and inflamed, as well as possible bone infections or “jaw abscess”.  Once rabbits have malocclusion, it is very unlikely that the teeth will ever return to normal, and it may require trips to the vet, tooth trims, and surgery. 

As with humans, tooth problems in rabbits cannot be ignored.  Rabbits are prey animals, meaning they are not designed to show signs any illnesses or problems, so a pet rabbit needs to be brought to a vet (experienced in rabbits) regularly to check its health.  A complete exam may require the rabbit to be under anesthesia.  Also, dogs, cats, and birds are not the only animals that can have bad breath–rabbits can have halitosis as well!  If you notice that your rabbit has excessive salivation, tooth grinding, or bad breath, you should definitely take it in to the vet as soon as you can. 

Aside from bringing your rabbit to the vet 1-2 times a year, you can also make sure it has an appropriate diet.  Some things that you can offer your rabbit to provide a fibrous diet are hay, tree branches, leaves and twigs.  It is also important that all of these are gathered from vegetation that is not treated with herbicides, pesticides, fertilizer, etc.   Also, try to place the branches in water or put them in the freezer overnight to kill any insects. 

Rabbit-safe vegetation:

• Orange/lemon trees: rabbits should be fed fresh or dried branches
• Apple trees: fresh or dried branches
• Willow: fresh or dried branches
• Maple/ash/pine trees: dried branches
• Rose canes: remove thorns first, and feed the branches fresh or dried

What are some tips for monitoring the dental health of my rabbit?

• Make sure your rabbit has a good appetite, eats its daily diet of pellets and veggies, and chews his hay often
• Monitor any changes in the rabbit’s eating habits
• In order to check for any abnormalities, feel the left and right sides of the rabbit’s head (meaning in front of the eyes, on the cheekbone below the eyes, under the lower jaw, etc.).  If you notice any lump on one side that is not on the other side, take the rabbit to the vet ASAP.
• Lift up the rabbit’s upper lips to see if the incisors meet evenly– if not, go to the vet!
• Under the chin, look for any excessive salivating/wetness (not including moisture from eating veggies, drinking water, etc.)
• If you can smell rabbit bad breath, go to the vet!
• Eye/nasal discharge can signify that there are teeth problems

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Do you wonder if you have chronic bad breath?  Do you want some guidance? Be prepared for Valentine’s Day and practice good oral hygiene!

You can listen Dr. Katz debunk some bad breath myths and talk about his halitosis research and experiences on KABC with Mark and Brian. Click here to listen.

CHNI-FM Radio interview
Eddie Tracy Show Radio interview

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We have another reason to not be like Hitler!  He allegedly had bad breath, according to a German dentist who studied Hitler’s medical record.  The dentist, Menevse Deprem-Hennen, said that Hitler “ate very badly and suffered from tooth decay,” according to the Sunday edition of Bild newspaper.

The dentist studied his dental records during the course of her doctorate and said that one could conclude from the research that the Nazi dictator was afraid of the dentist.  She said that it seemed that Hitler was very sensitive to pain: it took him eight times to get root canal treatment from his personal dentist, whereas the normal person would need one or two sessions. 

Hitler also had a molar removed after he had gum disease.  SS general Hugo Johannes Blaschke treated Hitler and other Nazi figures.

Source: earthtimes.org

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February is National Pet Dental Month!  According to the American Veterinary Dental Society, 80% of dogs and 70% of cats allegedly have symptoms of dental disease by age three!  Beyond that, oral disease is also the most commonly diagnosed health issue for our canine and feline friends.  We may hear about bad breath in pets all the time, but that doesn’t mean that it could be caused by something serious. 

Periodontal disease has the same roots in dogs and cats as it does in people.  Bacteria from food can build up in the oral cavity, and if it’s left untreated, the bacteria cause plaque and tartar buildup on the teeth and gumline.  Over time, if the buildup is neglected, periodontitis can form, which is an irreversible condition involving gum inflammation and infection.  If the gums are inflamed, they become separated from the teeth, thus allowing bacteria to enter and attack the tooth’s root.  Furthermore, bacteria can also enter the bloodstream and venture on over to the heart, liver, kidneys, and other organs, and cause serious problems.

These are all reasons as to why it is very important to be proactive about protecting your pet’s health.  Some warning signs that you can look for in your pet are: bad breath, yellow-brown crust on the teeth, bleeding gums, changes in eating/chewing habits, pawing at the mouth, and/or depression.  These are all potential signs that the pet has an infection, and you should schedule a dental checkup as soon as you can.  If the pet is in good health, one should schedule regular veterinarian visits anyway.   A pet owner should schedule a professional cleaning to have the following done: tartar removal, cavity/growth check, diseased teeth extracted, and tooth polishing.  Tooth polishing helps prevent the formation of new plaque/tartar buildup. 

You should also practice regular brushing with your pet, and follow a home care regimen.  You can introduce toothpaste to your pets by using a small amount on your finger and rubbing it on their teeth.   Make sure to use a toothpaste that is specially made for cats and dogs.  The next step is to have the pet lick the bristles of a toothbrush with the toothpaste on it.  Then, you can begin brushing its teeth.  This should be done twice every week.  Don’t give up if your pet doesn’t seem willing to have its teeth brushed. 

Also, certain pet foods actually help plaque/tartar removal, so you can look for that in stores.  Ask your pet’s doctor for any advice.  Good luck and spread the word!

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So, it’s common knowledge that bad breath isn’t something that people are too fond of.  It can hurt friendships, work relationships, romances, and so on.  Allegedly, Barack Obama wakes up ’stinky and snory’, according to his wife Michelle!

Now, in the United Kingdom, a machine that is 50 times more sensitive than the human nose exists that can supposedly get rid of halitosis – for good!  This gas chromatography machine measures and identifies the three primary types of bad breath-causing bacteria.  It doesn’t just say if someone has halitosis, but it specifically identifies the kinds of molecules that are causing the problem.  This helps dental professionals target the halitosis more precisely.  This machine was developed in Australia, and it costs around £8,000 (which is over $12,000 in America).   The machine works by having patients give a breath sample into a plastic syringe, and it usually gives results within 15 minutes. 

After diagnosing the bad breath, the dentists recommend nasal flushes, medicated mouthwash, etc., in order to banish the anaerobic bacteria causing the bad breath.  Depending on where the anaerobic bacteria is located (i.e. mouth, throat, or nose), it gives off different smells.  The tongue is usually the culprit if the bad breath is coming from the mouth, since the smell could be comng from proteins being broken down into amino acids.  In the throat, bad breath often comes from the tonsils, from certain growths that are usually formed by food debris.  Tonsil stones are not uncommon.  Through the nose, sinus infections and excess mucus (post nasal drip) often cause bad smells.

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Gingivitis is a general term for different types of infections in the gingiva. Bad breath-causing bacteria cause gingivitis, so it is important to keep the oral cavity clean. By exercising proper oral hygiene, you can clean up any gingivitis that you have and prevent it from occuring.

You should brush at least 2-3 times a day, and it is also important that you use a decent toothpaste. PerioTherapy is excellent for those with periodontal infections. Flossing is very important because it gets rid of the plaque between the teeth. Generally, you should floss twice a day (at least once for sure) before you brush your teeth. Try using oral rinse every day (preferably twice at least), since this can reach areas that your dental floss and toothbrush do not reach. A tongue scraper will eradicate bacteria from the tongue. Also, after you use a tongue scraper and toothbrush, make sure to rinse them with hot water.

If left untreated, gingivitis can be really severe and turn into gum disease. Bleeding, swollen, and painful gums all can occur, as well as tooth loss that could allegedly lead to heart disease. If you are dedicated to curing your gingivitis and doing the right procedure, you can get rid of this oral health problem and potentially the bad breath that goes along with it. It not only depends on your dentist, but it also depends on your habits and the oral care products you use.

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Dr. Harold Katz, also known as the “Bad Breath Doctor or the “Bad Breath Guru“, toured the country testing people for halitosis.  When Dr. Katz tests people’s bad breath, he uses a device called the ‘halimeter’.  A score above 100 means that someone likely has halitosis.  A person who has a score under 100 means that their breath is fairly fresh.  Many people were relieved when they found out that they had low scores on the halimeter. 

Unfortunately, it’s hard for a person to smell his or her own breath.  Blowing in one’s own hand is not a way you can really test how bad your breath is.  According to Dr. Katz, he says “it’s a good way to smell your hand.”  So, how does one try to smell his or her own breath?  Dr. Katz says that if you lick the back of your hand, allow it to dry, you can smell if you have halitosis.   Allegedly, the halitosis-causing bacteria will remain on the back of your hand, thus letting you know that you might have bad breath. 

All in all, Phoenix passed the “Bad Breath Test“, since Dr. Katz couldn’t find anyone with dragon breath!   That means that the Phoenicians are “kissable”, just in the nick of time for Valentine’s Day. 

Source: Phoenix Metro News

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Unfortunately, pregnant women with bad breath may have a problem that is staggering in its implications.  Previously, we have discussed the relationship between gum disease and reproductive health (pregnancy gingivitis), which can result in a baby being born prematurely.  Research shows that the bad breath-causing bacteria may even be linked to stillbirths.

Allegedly, the oral bacteria can be transferred to the placenta if it enters the blood stream through open sores in the gums.  The unborn child is not equipped to fight the disease with its immune system in the same manner an adult can. 

Since bleeding gums/pregnancy gingivitis is extremely common among pregnant women, it is vital that expecting mothers brush and floss frequently during the day, after snacks and meals.  Surgery may be needed for serious infections. 

Whereas pregnancy gingivitis is common, the possibility of having a stillbirth is not.  Nonetheless, taking healthy steps will make pregnancy easier and reduce anxiety levels.  Here are some tips for practicing good oral hygiene:

- Go to the dentist regularly for checkups and cleanings.
- Brush your teeth at least 2-3 times a day, ideally after every meal and snack.  This prevents plaque/tartar building up.
- Floss after every meal.
- Use an oral rinse (like TheraBreath) at least 2 times a day. 
- Use a tongue scraper to prevent the bad breath-causing bacteria from building up.
- Eat healthier (more vegetables, less sweets).

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There’s yet another celebrity who must have a phobia of bad breath!  Simon Cowell’s Rolls Royce allegedly is filled with a large tub of breath-freshening gum, flavored cigarettes, and other anti-halitosis goodies.  Maybe he doesn’t like having bad breath while judging Britain’s Got Talent.   Maybe he should add TheraBreath to his collection if he hasn’t tried it yet! We don’t see anything wrong with having minty-fresh breath.

Source: http://thesun.co.uk

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What’s another bad breath cure?  A scientist in Israeli has suggested using laser treatment to get rid of bad breath.  Allegedly, this 15-minute technique has worked on 53 patients with chronic halitosis. 

These patients were said to suffer from a form of bad breath that wafted from the tonsil region.  Generally, bad breath is caused by the buildup of anaerobic bacteria around the line of the gums and teeth.  These bacteria release a certain malodor, but in some cases, these bacteria can breed in the tonsil’s grooves. 

It is said that the laser treatment goes to the tonsil’s infected regions and creates scar tissue that seals the grooves, preventing bacteria from proliferating in those areas.  According to sources, more than half of the patients were cured with one laser treatment, and the others needed two or three laser treatments.

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