The Bad Breath Blog

Did you think that mouthwash was just for your oral health? A new study conducted suggests that rinsing with mouthwash while pregnant (for mothers that have gum disease) have more of a chance of carrying a baby to full term. This study was published by Reuters Health and states a fact that we often discuss: pregnant women with periodontal disease tend to have more premature babies than women with healthy gums. Why? We’re still not sure (even after this study) however, it is known that rinsing regularly with an alcohol-free mouthwash (like any of TheraBreath’s Oral Rinses) may cut a woman’s risk of delivering early by almost 75%! Isn’t it worth trying?

The research term in this study asked 71 pregnant women with gum disease to gargle twice daily with an alcohol-free mouthwash. The team then compared the number of preemies with a group of 155 pregnant women who also had gum disease that only gargled with water. For the water only group, one in five (34 moms total) gave birth early – meaning before 35 weeks of pregnancy. Of the 71  others that rinsed with mouthwash, only 4 moms gave birth early (about one in five).

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You might think you have a sensitive nose, but aphids are in a realm all their own! Aphids are those pesky insects that are tiny and green and wreak havoc on many farmers’ crops. According to a recent study, perhaps we aren’t giving these creatures enough credit – they have some interesting survival skills.

The study was published in the journal of Current Biology and found that pea aphids are able to avoid being eaten mistakenly by animals that are munching on the plants where aphids reside. Pea aphids have an acute sensitivity to the humidity of mammalian breath.

Researchers at the University of Haifa conducted a rather elaborate and careful study. In order to find out of bad breath signals the aphids of predators, the team had a goat eat alfalfa plants that were full of aphids. The researchers wore snorkels to assure that their own breath wouldn’t tamper the experiment’s conclusions. They also controlled air humidity, movement and shadows. The results were that breath itself is what tells the aphids to leave the plant. It was initially posed that carbon dioxide is the trigger for these bugs, but it turns out it is actually the humidity and heat of breath that sounds the aphid alarm.

Halitosis can also warn humans of possible disease. Bad breath can be an indicator of gingivitis or gum disease, tooth decay, sinusitis, lung diseases or surplus bacteria in the mouth. If you have chronic or extremely foul breath, consider checking in with your doctor to make sure other illness aren’t resulting in bad breath. You may also want to try TheraBreath PLUS – our most potent breath freshening products.

The University of California, San Diego’s Healthwise Knowlegebase states that there are some vitamins and minerals that can treat or help prevent causes of bad breath. However, taking these supplements won’t work immediately– use TheraBreath products to give you instantly fresh breath.

Aside from bad breath that originates in the stomach or lungs, most cases of halitosis come from dry mouth, plaque, gum disease or white tongue.

According to UCSD’s free database, there are a number of supplements that help better your breath, along with general health and wellness benefits. Vitamin C helps the body fight gingivitis – the first stage of gum disease. Common signs of gingivitis are gums that bleed easily and appear swollen. Gingivitis is a very common cause of bad breath. If you are suffering from gingivitis, try TheraBreath’s PerioTherapy line, it is proven to treat gingivitis and give you fresh breath.

Vitamin E, vitamin b9, zinc and selenium will help the mouth combat periodontitis – the second stage of gum disease. Periodontitis can lead to eventual tooth loss, not to mention foul breath. TheraBreath’s PerioTherapy can stop gum disease. PerioO₂, a medical-grade oxygenating compound found only in PerioTherapy attacks the bacteria which create plaque, destroys the sulfur toxins they produce, and provides oxygen ions to help restore optimal tissue health. Tea tree oil and zinc gluconate neutralize micro-organisms and aloe vera stops bleeding to prevent these germs from invading.

If you aren’t already, consider taking daily supplements that contain these vitamins and minerals, or find a good multivitamin. We also suggest trying TheraBreath’s line of Probiotics – they can help with your breath from the inside out along with the health of your throat, mouth and overall well-being. Want to learn more about probiotics? Visit http://www.proprobiotics.com.

Bad breath (halitosis), especially if its chronic, can sometimes be a symptom of a much more major dilemma. It is very important that people do not overlook this problem, because it can be a sign of a terminal illness. Dental experts have linked halitosis to everything from pneumonia, bronchitis, chronic sinus infections to liver problems, kidney problems, and diabetes. People who have gastritis can have halitosis because of their stomach’s high acidic levels.

Unfortunately, most people do not regard bad breath as a serious problem, and just try to disguise it with peppermint or mouthwash. Halitosis has also been linked to chronic acid reflux and constipation. If one is practicing good oral hygiene, and avoiding foods that cause strong odors like petai, onions, etc., then it is possible that one has a problem that is more than just bad breath.

Many people will find that chewing gum only hides the bad breath and bad tastes temporarily. According to dental experts, 80% of bad breath sufferers have a mouth-related illness causing the problem; however, few people actually make regular visits to the dentist as needed. Tooth decay, cavities, gingivitis, dry mouth (xerostamia, caused by the lack of saliva), and oral cancer all cause halitosis. If a person has gum disease and does not treat it, it can lead to serious damage to the gums and jawbone. Some sources say that mouthwashes containing alcohol have been linked to oral cancer!  TheraBreath is an example of a mouthwash that does NOT have alcohol as an ingredient.

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!