Monday, November 15, 2010

Dry Mouth is a friend of Bad Breath


Anyone who manages from a dry mouth will also most likely combat with bad breath. Many people do not relate the two together – but according to doctors the bad breath is induced by the dry mouth condition. Saliva is important to individuals because it produces enzymes that help to digest the foods we consume, balances the pH or acid levels in the mouth, and creates high amounts of oxygen that helps to keep the oral tissues safe.
People with dry mouths are plainly lacking the quantity of saliva that is required to keep the mouth healthy and to supply it with enough oxygen. Without the necessary quantity of oxygen the oral tissues are not as safe as they should be and it will allow the bacteria that make bad breath to thrive.
Saliva is a very important part of Oral Health. With regards to the topic of dry mouth, saliva provides three important functions:
Provides enzymes to help with digestion of food Provides a method to stabilize the pH (keep the acid levels in check) Provides high levels of oxygen in order to keep oral tissues healthy and fresh. If you suffer from dry mouth (Xerostomia) symptoms, you naturally have less saliva. In turn, less saliva means less oxygen. If there is less oxygen available in the oral environment you have an anaerobic environment, which is perfect for these sulfur-producing bacteria. In essence, the bacteria are now capable of making high levels of sulfur gases, which in turn make the breath and taste worse.
Remember, our sense of smell isn’t completely subjective. The sense of smell evolved in order to sniff our chemicals for our survival; good chemicals that are good and nutritious for us, and bad chemicals that are poisonous, detrimental, and fatal to our well being and longevity. Dogs have honed an objective sense of smell that is so keen that some dogs are trained to sniff out cancerous growth and tumors.
So if you’re worried about a more serious underlying condition that might be the cause of your bad breath, you should check your dental hygiene practices against what’s recommended by dental associations and academies. Are you brushing after every meal for example? If you’re not, start there. Your breath just might improve. Are you brushing after every snack? If not, you should be. But if you’re using an electronic toothbrush at home, you don’t need to bring a full scale contraption such as that to work, school, or for a night or two of travel and stay away from home. Bring enough for what’s referred by lifestyle and health specialists as a half brushing (think half baths). If you already bring a makeup bag to work for example, your half toothbrush should fit in that bag, along with a travel sized tube of toothpaste.
Dry mouth can come from not drinking enough water. Drink half your weight in ounces of water daily to keep your mouth moist at all times. For example, if you weigh 160 lb., drink 80 oz. of water spread throughout the day. Also, breathe in through your nose, rather than your mouth.
Use a tongue scraper along the length of your tongue daily. This removes much of the odor-causing bacteria from your tongue. Rinse your mouth with an alcohol-free mouthwash. Alcohol causes dry mouth, leaving your mouth open to harmful bacteria. Brush your teeth with a soft toothbrush in the morning, after each meal, and before bedtime. Floss between your teeth daily, including between your gums and teeth.
Posted By : Holistic Dental

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