Currently Browsing: Teeth Whitening
Aug 15, 2010
Posted on Aug 15, 2010 in Teeth Whitening | 0 comments
More Dental FAQ please visit : http://www.dentalcarefaq.com
Im getting invisalign?
im getting invisalign on Feb. 8 for my really bad overbite and crooked teeth and im scared do you enjoy to have a shot with the treatment lend a hand dont be scared. u dont get a shot unless ur getting teeth pulled out n dont verbs i have braces n i also have…
Problem next to my teeth!?
Here is the long story: I had my braces on for 3 years and just get them off last month. My brushing behaviour weren’t that good during my braces, but now I brush them 4 or 5 times a morning. Problem is, they turn yellow after I brush them. So, I have be…
$2000 satisfactory 7 cavity?
I HAVE NO DENTAL INSURANCE AND IM NOT PLANNING ON GETTING IT SINCE NOW I WILL START TAKING CARE OF MY TEETH … i havent been to the dentist for 11 years…and my teeth are straight its just that i hold 7 cavities…or 6 since 1 tooth is broken.. Well yes i used to…
invisible braces
I live in the east of the UK and was wondering almost invisible braces? Ive heard you have to retribution lb3000-lb6000 for them? i asked one of my friends mums and she said that you will have to pay but she doesnt know how much, does anyone no? I dont want…
arm&Hammer baking soda okay for brushing my teeth?
I heard that brushing my teeth with baking soda is polite for whitening teeth or removing plaque. However im not sure what kind of baking soda i would have to use. I enjoy the arm & hammer baking soda and is it okay if i use that product? arm & hammer is fine….
can a foreign dentist use an other moniker and license to bill insurance?
If the practice has an account next to the insurance company with another dentist then yes, it can be billed below that provider’s name. However, it has to be documented contained by the chart that the procedure was done by another dentist. This documentation…
Don’t come crying to me said my tradition teeth surgeon.?
About 7 months ago, i had to have adjectives four of my wisdom teeth pulled. The surgery was horrible, it took almost 4 hours, they touched my brashness which caused me to wake up rash, o they had to give me more sleeping stuff, next when i was time to wake…
White Again Teeth Whitening gel?
I bought it in a shopping centre stall on friday and i tryed it for the first time tonight. Has anyone every tried it and if so what do you meditate of it? Well, I havent tried it, but I’ve tried whitening strips, they kinda worked, pretty fast too 3-5 days, a little brighter smile. ^^…
Wisdom teeth growing horizontally?
I’m going to the doctor next Tuesday, but I’d like to know if anyone know what the procedure to remove it will be like? Anyone? Well I watched a video on this once when I took a dental assiting class. They cut your gums unfurl and most of the time have to break the teeth up…
You must wear this retainer…FOREVER!?
…Say wah? o.O Okay, so I just got my braces stale, and my Orthodontist was all The reatiner must be worn for the rest of your life Do relations actually do this? Like seriously…life long? Will my teeth automatically move about squinty if I foreget about it one night? lol Well the first…
(Braces) If you wear twice as heaps springy band will the teeth aline faster?
i got bands on today to aline the teeth i want to draw from them off in a month if i wear twice as frequent elastic bands will the teeth aline faster Just do what the orthodontist says. if that worked don’t you…
(Dentists response to answer!) Two question, answer please?
Question 1: I’m thirteen and my dentist says that I need to brush my gums better to avoid gum disease. This be a month ago. I’ve been brushing my gums especially well lately, mostly contained by the last two weeks, but they’ve been sore within places and there’s been a little blood contained…
(For Braces) What’s that lead item that go from one molar to the other over the roof of your mouth?
It’s a single wire that goes from one molar to the other and stretches across the roof of my mouth. It’s not that point that you use a key to turn, I already had that (I give attention to its called…
(pic included? braces!)?
theres no pic…BUT WAIT PLEASE HELP ME ARAWDED I SWEAR! my ortho said that i need braces (for my top teeth) on my top six, and then braces on my molars…would my molars be the ones subsequent to the sixth..? like your two front, then subsequent to those on either side another two teeth and…
(please answer!) How can i restrengthen my gums from chewing tobacco?
i dont need to hear any preachin.. I dont chew anymore but my gums have receeded on the bottom and obligation to know how to get them back to human being healthy Once your gums have receeded, they will not come final. You may have to have graft…
(URGENT) a piece of my metal appliance discern out of my mouth?
well i have a herbst appliance they told me to bid dentist to put it back in but my mom cant afford to stir back and well she wouldt be capable of ge tme to dentist until tomorow after school and well i involve to put it back in…
TEETH HELP?
are my canines too big?how can i fix this problem bcuz they always seem to pop out whenever i crow http://www.flickr.com/photos/38918965(a)N04/3817608451/ From the picture they don’t look too bad to me Source(s): A dentist me
Braces question*?
Ok so I got braces about four months ago and I get purple bands (which I now know not to). Then at my first tightening I get alternate bright pink and bright green which I LOVE. The thing is, I’m a bit bored with these colours and I don’t know what to receive next? What colour/s should I get?…
my put money on of my mouth be hurting ( 1 prudence tooth comin in)…i dont hold insurance..cant bite down? Need hel?
the dentist told e my back wisdom tooth is probably growing…she took an xray,, prescribed me penicillinin a minute it doesn’t hurt all the time…but i cant bite down and i cant really smile cuz i feel similar to…
getting braces; would ibuprofen still work if it is crushed up and put into yogurt?
Yes, it will still work as long as you eat all the yogurt. Do you enjoy problems swallowing pills? I used to have a problem swallowing pills, even the really tiny ones. If you do, you can try putting the pill in yogurt and swallowing…
braces! tips && question?
i need tips!! thanksss also– – will it hurt when i get them on? – family have mentioned choking? um… HUH!? – will i have a lisp? similar to, some people DO but some people DON’T! …? – does it hurt to singg? THANNKKKSSSSS No wont hurt, no you wont choke, no lisp after 2…
B r a c e s … ? Help?
i went to get a check-up… today, and i needed some sort of filling- anyways that be done. my dentist is really.. weird. we both know that i NEED braces =/ so he gave me this prescription to procure a.. Tooth x-ray before we can proceed or sumfin. my bottom teeth are…
sense teeth?
ok so im 13 and all my wisdom enjoy grown in almost completely. lately my top wisdom teeth enjoy been biting on the inside of my cheeks and it hurts really bad. the skin already started blistering some(not much) and i was wondering what it could be. it just started arranged last week and ive had my experience…
if i dont wear my retainer will my teeth procure screwed up?
like seriously? O: i got my braces rotten about a month ago and i dont wear my retainer as much as i should.. will my teeth like.. sepereate? or…what :3 they won’t separate but they WILL get crooked once my brother get his…
Do i hold to floss?
I used to floss 2 to 3 times a day but now i own braces and its so much harder to floss and it takes to long and i just dont fell similar to it. So are there any other options? I use mouthwash every dark. try platopus flosser The answer could be yes…
What cause you to stipulation a root conduit?
Q. WHY DOES ONE NEEDS A ROOT CANAL? A. A VERY SICK OR DEAD NERVE. WHAT MAKES IT DIE? MANY THINGS The causes of need a root canal are many and diverse. It can be due to trauma, such as getting hit in the face or an twist of fate;…
Lump on Tongue_-_?
I recently got my tongue pierced, and after a few days the orb of the ring pushed some tissue from my tongue into a roundish lump. is there a way to remove it in need damaging my tongue, or will it go away fluently? Better have the ring in your tongue removed urgently. The roundish lump that developed…
Why so much twinge during Root Canal?
The dentist gave me a shot and started his work. I was within a lot of pain. He hobby me another shot and tested it out. i was still in twinge. Long story short – I had seven shots and the nerve be removed and i was in miserable spasm.. Can…
braces which dentist?
theres a dentist a LOVE but hes really expensivee…so were trying another orthodontist whos 2600 dollars less, so in the region of like two fifty thousand bucks cheaper, i really dont like him as much..he did my brother and sisters teeth, and theres are pious..but this guy who i tried first like told me my exact problems and…
i simply get braces yesterday and my teeth hurt really impossible! is in attendance anything I can do bar wax?
answer back ASAP!! thanks!! Ooooh, smoke a grease joint.LOL Im just kid!! I havent had braces but my father got braces final year and he sucked on ice to kind of facility the stress of pain. It doesnt…
Aug 14, 2010
Posted on Aug 14, 2010 in Teeth Whitening | 0 comments
More Dental Questions and Answers please visit : http://www.dentalcarefaq.com
2 tooth filling at the dentist tomorrow :s!?
hi everyone. i have an appointment with the dentist tomorrow and hold to have 2 fillings. i am so terrified though. i have been terrified of the dentist ever since i can remember and i hate going! i refused to take my filling done last time as i be way to upset and…
2 Upper molars pulled..relief please?
Okayy..so yeah i got my 2 upper molars pulled..for those of you who are wondering DID IT HURT? Actually no (: i didnt feel a item..i had nitrous oxide/shot. 
So yeah..i was wondering..how can i chomp through now? I mean the gauze is on both sides..but its so discomfited..i tried to eat some chicken noodle…
2 year old-fashioned grinding teeth…?
My (Almost) 2 year old grinds her teeth..when shes awake, not asleep.. its not an all-the-time-thing.. so im not totally worried, but i know that is not stout for her little teeth… i don’t really know if its normal for kids to do and i don’t really know how to prevent it. At first I…
2 yearold son and his cavity?
ok.. my 2 yearold son has a couple of cavities and im tremendously nervous to get them bursting… i dont want him going through pain at the dentist or after but at the same time i dont want him going through spasm when they start to hurt him.. theyve never have given him any pain…
21 years antediluvian, one tot tooth not here. Looking for warning from a dentist.?
My left incisor has not come out of my mouth. When I go to the dentist a year and a half ago they noticed that my fully fledged tooth is sitting above it. For about a month now, the infant tooth has been bothering me. It…
23 Cavities 3 Root Canals? HELP!?
ok so i went to the dentist about 2 years ago and have 3 cavities filled…later a year later (last year) i went to another dentist for a check up…everything be fine. i went to the dentist today and was told that i own 23 cavities and need 3 root canal? i really think they…
24/7 dentist surrounded by Miami,FL? HELP!?
I need a 24/7 dentist in Miami, FL. Cant appear to find a place or an office that is answering the phone…PLEASE HELP!! My toothache wont stop, I took painkillers…nought! If you can’t go to the dentist, go to the hospital. All hospitals are 24/7, and they will answer the phone for you. They will…
2nd teachings tooth coming surrounded by?
my mouth feels fine when it is open within a rested position, but if i try to bite down hard i can feel alot of pressure pay for where my wisdom tooth is and it really hurts to bite down completely, i find the feeling that there isnt moderately enough room it to come in….
2nd time I get my braces tightened, 2 days after presently I own dull pain on 1 tooth when I drink solution?
the liquid can be warm dampen or cold, but when I drink it and it passes through one of my canines, (top left) I get dull pain? Are the braces causing it? Surely your orthodontist warned you of that….
3 cold sores contained by my mouth, is it serious?
I have 3 cold sores in my mouth. I’m 12, and they hurt. I enjoy one on the inside of my cheek, one on the upper inside of my lip, and one on the routh of my mouth. They’re white, and red. They feel weird. Is it serious? Can I die…
3 days ago I get 3 of my teachings teeth taken out and one broken tooth,can you back me near a few question?
I’m just wondering when the stitches will dissolve and how long I have to use the saline water rinse. I’m also wondering when it’s safe to completely brush my teeth again. The surgeon never told me any of…
3 of my teeth hurt on the right side of my mouth?
Everytime I eat something sweet and chew three teeth on my right side of my mouth start to ahce/sting… Does this mean I have need of a filling? Because Im scared of going to the dentisit if I requirement a filling… Ive never had one up to that time,…
3 wks ago i have a cavity chock-full. it didn’t hurt until that time, but since it be complete it hurts. is that middle-of-the-road?
i cant even chew with that tooth now. i be just wondering if it will ever be back to conventional. You need to get vertebrae to the dentist. It may be too high and need to…
3 year frail have misery within front tooth after a decline?
He fell down from his cycle a week ago and has one of his front tooth chipped off. Since next, he complains of pain in other front tooth and cries if something touches that tooth similar to during brushing, eating. went to dentist but he said we should linger for…
3. What are at most minuscule 3 things that saliva does?
Questions For Model Science – GI Physiology 2008 – 2009 Grades 7 and 8 MESA 1. Breaks down foods (has enzymes) 2. Makes food going down your throat easier 3. Keeps mouth moist You could also go to this site! http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-purp… I didn’t get the…
34weeks pregnant and have dental problems what can I do?
Ok I have never had any problems near my teeth at all never a cavity or anything. I take well-mannered care of my teeth but ever since I’ve hit 34th week in pregnancy my bottom teeth hold started bothering me, my gums are red and swollen and my teeth hurt,…
39 years frail and getting teachings tooth…unusual ?
my wife thinks her bottom right wisdom tooth is coming through She have had the other 3 removed..in her 20′s. The bottom right one did not come through at that time, and the dentist said to freshly leave it.. Is it unusual for someone to get a suitability tooth come through…
3rd molar the culprit for the 2nd molar backache?
Wow…I cant tell you how much pain I surface after eating solid foods like fried chicken…fish clean..anything solid that is not soft. The pain is within my gums and MOST especially on my 2nd molar…the pain feels similar to crazy and i can’t eat anything after eating something(does that craft sense?)…
4 desirability teeth pulled HELP?
I GOT ALL 4 wisdom teeth pulled about 15days ago and all right there feeling lots better no backache at all just the holes bother me and prevent me from drinking normal foods and well today i get brave and i eat and now it looks approaching there is food really deep inside the holes no…
4 teachings teeth removal, best anaesthesia method?
ive been informed that im getting all four wisdon teeth removed soon. they suggested i do this ultimate year before they grow in and create complications. i pushed it rotten bc i was too scared to take surgery. all 4 wisdom teeth hold at least surfaced and 2 are mostly in. i hold had…
4 year antiquated have grey tooth?
Last night I noticed my 4 year old’s tooth within front was grey. It seems to enjoy happened over night adn I am concerned. Thinking it be a cavity gone real bad I made an appointment for subsequent friday to be checked. Now here is my question, he fell about a week ago and split…
48 hours after prudence teeth extraction?
When will I be able to resume my regular dietary activities such as intake solid food and drinking soda? Can I start brushing my teeth and rinsing with salt sea? oh, I feel your pain! I get my top ones removed yesterday afternoon. My dentist told me I could gargle with salt river today, gently….
4th set of teeth! whip a look at this?
hey whats up, this is just Scotty here again ok so i hav like 4 sets of teeth approaching im now on my 4th set and im only 13 ya!! with the sole purpose? hahahaha so anyways.. does anyone else have this? just wondering? okay reply this gts you 2…
5 teeth pulled 5 days ago when will it restore to health?
i had 5 teeth, 3 on the upper back vanished and 2 on the upper back right, pulled about 5 days ago. my gums are still swollen and a touch sore. what i want to know is if the risk for dry socket has passed or if i still…
5 weeks after suitability teeth extraction, trouble channel jowl.?
I had all 4 impacted suitability teeth removed on Aug. 6. I had relatively no pain after the first 2 or 3 days, but afterwards last Friday my jaw started to hurt(only on the right side). I have a headache for 4 days and was taking tylenol. The last tylenol i took…
5 year infirm have swollen mouth?
My 5 year old daughter started complaining the day beforehand yesterday that her jaw was hurting. I thought she bit it since we be eating and thought nothing of it. Then yesterday she be still complaining. Still I thought it was just because she have bitten it. Now today she is crying out and I…
6 Yo daughter have teeth down her to front teeth… why?
whats going on with my daughters teeth? she has her two front lower child teeth and new 2 lower front halfway out at the rear the baby teeth, why is this happening? whats going on? what requests to be done about this? anything? thanks for your time. Her newborn…
A white satisfying on a lower molar tooth fell out, would this inevitability emergency treatment or latter appointment?
I mean, is it O.K to set up appointment for next month, approaching with regular dental procedures ? There has be no pain so far. I would act express. Even though it doesn’t hurt now, I went through equal thing and…
A adjectives drink contained by the mouth, along near swelling around the throat? !?
ohh and i have braces…and get blisters on the sides of my cheeks alot…could that bring this too? It sounds like an infection for sure.I’m not to positive if it’s from your braces though,unless you take immensely poor care of them,which I’m sure you don’t.But I…
A adjectives lot of misery! What do I do in a minute that they’re gone?
Today I had the rest of my wisdom teeth taken out. (One of them cracked within April and the dentist pulled it) I’ve iced and drugged myself carefully but it still hurts! All I could eat be mashed potatoes and I have a idea that my…
Aug 13, 2010
Posted on Aug 13, 2010 in Teeth Whitening | 0 comments
http://badbreathremedycure.com/
will mouthwash remedy bad breath? False
Mouthwash only gets rid of bad breath temporarily.
As long as you brush your teeth, you should remedy bad breath? False
The truth is that most people only brush their teeth up to 45 seconds, which just doesn’t cut it.
When breathing into your hand, you’ll know if you have bad breath? False
When you breathe, you don’t use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth, where bad breath originates.
If you’re concerned about bad breath, make sure you’re taking care of your teeth and mouth properly. Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors.
The most common cause of halitosis (bad breath) is the anaerobic bacteria that live in a person’s mouth.
For the majority of people (85 to 90% of those who have bad breath [halitosis]), the single most frequent cause of bad breath problems is bacteria that live in their mouth. Some oral bacteria excrete odoriferous waste products. Bacteria, just like humans, consume food and excreting waste. The waste products produced by some oral bacteria are sulfur compounds. And it is these sulfur compounds that usually lie at the root of a person’s bad breath problem. Therefor making very difficult to remedy.
Have you ever smelled something rotten? The stench associated with something rotten is caused by the sulfur compound hydrogen sulfide. The stinky smell emanating from feed lots and barnyards is one created by the sulfur compound methyl mercaptan. The odor you associate with the ocean is in part due to the presence of dimethyl sulfide. And each of these types of sulfur compounds is also excreted as a waste product by the bacteria that live in our mouths.
How can you tell if you need to remedy a bad breath problem?
If our noses can’t reliably help us judge the quality of our bad breath, how can we determine if we do have bad breath? One remedy is to ask the opinion of a reliable and trusted friend or sibling. If you don’t feel you can ask them, ask your dentist or hygienist at your next dental appointment, after all, evaluating and remedying oral conditions is part of their job.
If you find this type of question too personal to ask, don’t overlook asking a child. As we all know, sometimes the least inhibited and most honest responses come from children.
Aug 10, 2010
Posted on Aug 10, 2010 in Teeth Whitening | 0 comments
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Aug 7, 2010
Posted on Aug 7, 2010 in Teeth Whitening | 0 comments
Did you know that there are specific foods that may lead to bad breath? This is because of volatile sulfur compounds – the culprit in causing bad breath! For example, if food sits out too long it will spoil. That spoiling action is due to anaerobic bacteria breaking down proteins in that particular food. In milk, the odor of sour milk is caused by relatives of the bugs that create bad breath when they break down proteins in the milk (and basically in all dairy foods). A reaction takes place where ‘the bad breath bugs’ extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids in these proteins. Specifically, the amino acid Cysteine is converted to Hydrogen Sulfide (which has a rotten egg smell) and Methionine becomes Methyl Mercaptan (which smells like a cross between old socks and garlic). The same analogy applies to meat if it sits out too long. Everyone knows that onions and garlic will create bad breath. But do you know why? It’s because the odorous molecules in onions and garlic are actually sulfur compounds themselves called Mercaptans. Sulfur is nature’s way of creating odors. You’re all familiar with the skunk. Its odor is created by a defense and/or attack mechanism. Skunk odor is made up of skatoles, which are naturally occurring sulfur compounds. In a similar fashion, bacteria in your mouth creates the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath and taste disorders. There are 4 food categories that will result in an increase of sulfur production because these categories have a stimulating affect on the bacteria that cause bad breath: 1. Drying Agents 2. Dense Protein Foods 3. Sugars 4. Acidic Foods Let’s look closely at each of these food categories and how they stimulate bad breath! DRYING AGENTS The most common drying agent in food is alcohol. Alcohol of course, is the basis of all “adult” beverages such as beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is also used, unfortunately, in many mouthwashes you find in the grocery stores, which only makes a bad breath problem worse. Alcohol, known chemically as a desiccant, is used quite often in laboratories to “dry out” hard to reach areas in test tubes and beakers. The same end result takes place in the oral cavity. Although cigarettes are not really food, smoking is probably the quickest way to dry out your mouth, with alcohol being the second. If you smoke, you are bound to have bad breath! DENSE PROTEIN FOODS Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. An article that appeared in the “Los Angeles Times” once noted that over 50% of the population in Southern California was “lactose intolerant”. With regards to bad breath, many of these people (numbering in the tens of millions) end up with more dense proteins available as bad breath fuel for the bacteria than those who have no problem with dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. The end result is a buildup of amino acids, which are easily converted into volatile sulfur compounds by the anaerobic bacteria found within the surface of your tongue and throat. To a lesser extent, people have the same problem with other types of food that are considered to be dense in protein such as beef, chicken, and fish. Another problem, thankfully rare, has to do with people who have an inability to break down certain proteins found in beans. This condition is called TMA (Trimethylaminuria) and is sometimes known as the “Fish Odor Syndrome,” because the odor produced is similar to decaying fish. The odor consists of sulfur compounds, plus nitrogen compounds (amines). People with this condition must abstain from beans and other types of food that are dense in protein. SUGARS Wouldn’t it be great if we could get rid of bad breath by chewing on M&Ms? Or what if the cure for bad breath were Hershey Kisses? That’s what the makers of Altoids would have you believe. Altoids, and other products of the same ilk, are trying to fool the public into believing that a strong “good” taste in your mouth is equivalent to the “freshness” of your breath. This is so anti-scientific it’s absurd! If you think about it for a minute, it really doesn’t make any sense. By using concentrated mint flavorings, your taste buds pick up mint as a taste. However, Altoids contains two types of sugar which again, are a fuel for the bacteria to reproduce and create more sulfur compounds – thus bad breath. In addition, the frightening part is that other bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycan strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on the enamel of your teeth and around your gums. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease – and you guessed it – worse breath than you started with! Since you can’t smell your own breath, you just go merrily along with that great strong mint taste in your mouth, while others close to you are backing away – backing away from your increased bad breath, decayed teeth, and gross, swollen, bleeding gums! Stay away from candies, mints, and chewing gum if they contain sugar! Instead, let me recommend an alternative created by TheraBreath called the TheraBreath Oxygenating Chewing Gum (http://www.therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=5). It releases Oxygen molecules directly into your mouth and also contains the antibacterial agent, Zinc Gluconate. This agent is found in many cold medications. In addition it contains Xylitol, which is a natural sweetening agent with an anti-decay compound. ACIDIC FOODS Foods with a high acidic content are a problem as well. pH is a term used to describe the acidity of an environment. The oral cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7 is considered neutral). Some of the foods you should watch out for are coffee and many citrus juices. Both decaffeinated and regular coffee contain acids. However, tea is okay. Among the citrus juices the ones with the highest acidic content include tomato juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit juice. We know that acids make the bacteria reproduce much faster. In order to decrease the production of odorous sulfur compounds, the acid environment needs to be neutralized. What can you learn from all this? Avoiding foods that contribute to, if not cause, bad breath is vital if you want to have clean fresh breath. While this is a difficult task, being aware of these bad breath causing elements is the first step in developing confidence in your breath. In addition, it is important to use oral care products that are free of alcohol, sugar, and that also have a high pH level.
Did you know that there are specific foods that may lead to bad breath? This is because of volatile sulfur compounds – the culprit in causing bad breath!
For example, if food sits out too long it will spoil. That spoiling action is due to anaerobic bacteria breaking down proteins in that particular food. In milk, the odor of sour milk is caused by relatives of the bugs that create bad breath when they break down proteins in the milk (and basically in all dairy foods). A reaction takes place where ‘the bad breath bugs’ extract sulfur compounds from the amino acids in these proteins. Specifically, the amino acid Cysteine is converted to Hydrogen Sulfide (which has a rotten egg smell) and Methionine becomes Methyl Mercaptan (which smells like a cross between old socks and garlic). The same analogy applies to meat if it sits out too long.
Everyone knows that onions and garlic will create bad breath. But do you know why? It’s because the odorous molecules in onions and garlic are actually sulfur compounds themselves called Mercaptans. Sulfur is nature’s way of creating odors. You’re all familiar with the skunk. Its odor is created by a defense and/or attack mechanism. Skunk odor is made up of skatoles, which are naturally occurring sulfur compounds. In a similar fashion, bacteria in your mouth creates the volatile sulfur compounds of bad breath and taste disorders.
There are 4 food categories that will result in an increase of sulfur production because these categories have a stimulating affect on the bacteria that cause bad breath:
1. Drying Agents
2. Dense Protein Foods
3. Sugars
4. Acidic Foods
Let’s look closely at each of these food categories and how they stimulate bad breath!
DRYING AGENTS
The most common drying agent in food is alcohol. Alcohol of course, is the basis of all “adult” beverages such as beer, wine, and hard liquor. It is also used, unfortunately, in many mouthwashes you find in the grocery stores, which only makes a bad breath problem worse.
Alcohol, known chemically as a desiccant, is used quite often in laboratories to “dry out” hard to reach areas in test tubes and beakers. The same end result takes place in the oral cavity.
Although cigarettes are not really food, smoking is probably the quickest way to dry out your mouth, with alcohol being the second. If you smoke, you are bound to have bad breath!
DENSE PROTEIN FOODS
Dairy foods are notorious for creating bad breath. An article that appeared in the “Los Angeles Times” once noted that over 50% of the population in Southern California was “lactose intolerant”. With regards to bad breath, many of these people (numbering in the tens of millions) end up with more dense proteins available as bad breath fuel for the bacteria than those who have no problem with dairy foods like milk, cheese, yogurt, ice cream, etc. The end result is a buildup of amino acids, which are easily converted into volatile sulfur compounds by the anaerobic bacteria found within the surface of your tongue and throat.
To a lesser extent, people have the same problem with other types of food that are considered to be dense in protein such as beef, chicken, and fish.
Another problem, thankfully rare, has to do with people who have an inability to break down certain proteins found in beans. This condition is called TMA (Trimethylaminuria) and is sometimes known as the “Fish Odor Syndrome,” because the odor produced is similar to decaying fish. The odor consists of sulfur compounds, plus nitrogen compounds (amines). People with this condition must abstain from beans and other types of food that are dense in protein.
SUGARS
Wouldn’t it be great if we could get rid of bad breath by chewing on M&Ms? Or what if the cure for bad breath were Hershey Kisses?
That’s what the makers of Altoids would have you believe. Altoids, and other products of the same ilk, are trying to fool the public into believing that a strong “good” taste in your mouth is equivalent to the “freshness” of your breath. This is so anti-scientific it’s absurd! If you think about it for a minute, it really doesn’t make any sense.
By using concentrated mint flavorings, your taste buds pick up mint as a taste. However, Altoids contains two types of sugar which again, are a fuel for the bacteria to reproduce and create more sulfur compounds – thus bad breath. In addition, the frightening part is that other bacteria can take the sugars and produce glycan strands, which in turn end up causing thick layers of plaque on the enamel of your teeth and around your gums. This leads to tooth decay and gum disease – and you guessed it – worse breath than you started with!
Since you can’t smell your own breath, you just go merrily along with that great strong mint taste in your mouth, while others close to you are backing away – backing away from your increased bad breath, decayed teeth, and gross, swollen, bleeding gums!
Stay away from candies, mints, and chewing gum if they contain sugar! Instead, let me recommend an alternative created by TheraBreath called the TheraBreath Oxygenating Chewing Gum (http://www.therabreath.com/products.asp?CAT=5). It releases Oxygen molecules directly into your mouth and also contains the antibacterial agent, Zinc Gluconate. This agent is found in many cold medications. In addition it contains Xylitol, which is a natural sweetening agent with an anti-decay compound.
ACIDIC FOODS
Foods with a high acidic content are a problem as well. pH is a term used to describe the acidity of an environment. The oral cavity has a normal pH of 6.5 (7 is considered neutral). Some of the foods you should watch out for are coffee and many citrus juices. Both decaffeinated and regular coffee contain acids. However, tea is okay. Among the citrus juices the ones with the highest acidic content include tomato juice, orange juice, pineapple juice, and grapefruit juice.
We know that acids make the bacteria reproduce much faster. In order to decrease the production of odorous sulfur compounds, the acid environment needs to be neutralized.
What can you learn from all this? Avoiding foods that contribute to, if not cause, bad breath is vital if you want to have clean fresh breath. While this is a difficult task, being aware of these bad breath causing elements is the first step in developing confidence in your breath. In addition, it is important to use oral care products that are free of alcohol, sugar, and that also have a high pH level.
