In The Dentist's Chair
Simple Steps to Prevent Bad Breath
by John O. Lambert, D.D.S.

Ever had the feeling that people avoided talking to you face-to-face, or that they have backed away when you begin a conversation? If either of these has happened to you, maybe it's not you that's offending, but your breath.

Halitosis - also known as bad breath - can affect anyone at any time. It is estimated that at one time or another, 50 to 60 percent of the population suffers from halitosis. The bad news is, it's offensive to people. The good news is, now, more than ever, there are ways to prevent it.

What causes bad breath?

Most of the time, halitosis originates in the mouth. It's caused by oral bacteria breaking down stubborn food debris. This process creates by-products called volatile sulfur compounds, which emit a smell similar to rotten eggs. The type of bacteria that initiates this process needs an environment that's free of oxygen, so they usually inhabit areas that are difficult to reach - such as the pockets around teeth and the fissures of the tongue. In some circumstances, the odor may be caused by a systemic condition, such as diabetes, or a problem in the sinuses, pharynx, lungs or stomach.

The first step in solving the problem is to check with your dentist for a complete oral exam, which should include a periodontal evaluation as well as any caries (dental decay) that may be present. If, after a rigorous program of oral hygiene is practiced and all pathological oral microorganisms have been eliminated, the problem still persists, your dentist should refer you to an internal medicine doctor for possible medical causes.

Other factors (tobacco, alcohol, alcohol-containing mouth rinses, foods like garlic, onions, and spicy foods; hunger; dry mouth; and morning breath) can cause halitosis, but are secondary to the main culprit - oral bacteria.

What can be done?

If it's clear that bacteria are the culprits, methods to reduce them are the first line of defense. If periodontal disease or tooth decay is present, the types of bacteria that cause bad breath increase.

Keeping your mouth as clean as possible helps eliminate bacteria. In fact, it's valuable to consider this cleaning process a "full mouth disinfection," focusing on all areas where bacteria may reside. This "disinfection" includes thorough brushing, proper use of dental floss, mouth rinse, and cleaning the tongue.

Additional tips

+ Try to rinse vigorously during the day with an alcohol and sugar-free mouth rinse. This author recommends OxyFresh Mouthrinse.

+ Crown and bridge restorations provide more areas for bacteria to reside, so they require meticulous oral hygiene. Special devices used to clean around these areas are very effective.

+ Keep your partial or full denture, or any other appliance, fresh. Regular cleaning after meals and before bedtime removes plaque, bacteria and odor. At night, soak the denture or appliance in a solution made for that purpose, and then brush away remaining stubborn bacteria with a mild cleansing agent.

This dentist recommends the Braun Oral-B 3D Power-assisted Plaque Remover Toothbrush. When used with the OxyFresh Mouthrinse to clean the teeth interproximally and subgingivally, it has been found to have the best results. When using the Oral-B 3D brush, be sure to stroke from the gumline to the crown of the tooth as you would with a manual toothbrush.