Breaking 11 Bad Breath Myths

In my previous posts, we talked about some of the causes of halitosis and bad breath and some simple tests and remedies that you can use at home.  If you are still experiencing bad breath, here are some 11 points that will help to clear up some of the many misconceptions that surround this very personal and embarrassing problem.

1.  Halitosis comes from the stomach.

Only in extremely rare circumstances does this occur.  Cleansing the intestines does not appear to offer any benefits.

2. Halitosis comes from the lungs.

Only rarely does this occur and it can be a manifestation of a serious disease.

3. Halitosis is a hereditary problem.

Absolutely not true!  There are certain conditions that are hereditary that can contribute to the problem but as yet there is no gene that has been isolated that may be passed on to offspring.

4. Mouthwashes and breath fresheners can help a problem.

This is not true. They only mask the problem for a few short minutes at best.  Alcohol based mouthwashes will worsen the problem because they dry the mouth and thereby actually cause an increase in mouth odours.

5. Internal breath fresheners can help my problem.

These do absolutely nothing for a chronic halitosis problem.

6. Brushing ones teeth more frequently will help eliminate a breath condition.

This is also not true.  In fact, frequent brushing will also dry one’s mouth out leading to increased problems with not only the breath but also may damage the teeth and gums over time.  It is very difficult to remove the specific odor causing bacteria with brushing and flossing alone.

7. Halitosis is caused by foods.

Foods such as garlic, onions and cauliflower can induce certain odors but these are only temporary and avoiding the foods will help avoid the problem.  The odors these foods create are also not of the “Sulfur” type commonly seen in true halitosis conditions and generally are not as offensive.

8. There is no treatment for Halitosis.

There is highly effective professional treatment for this problem which I will discuss in my next post.

9. Probiotics can help eliminate bad breath.

There is no scientific evidence to support the benefits of probiotics in the treatment of halitosis.

10. I have heard that the bacteria, H Pylori causes Halitosis.

 

This statement is false. H Pylori is a bacteria that commonly causes peptic ulcers and when patients are placed on antibiotics to eliminate the H Pylori sometimes their chronic breath problems improve.  This is due to the antibiotics temporarily reducing the number of anaerobic bacteria that contribute to Halitosis.  When the course in antibiotics is finished the breath problem returns.

11.  Rinsing with hydrogen peroxide will help cure my bad breath.

Hydrogen Peroxide has never been shown to be helpful in treating halitosis.  An occasional use of the product will not cause any significant damage to the oral tissues but any prolonged or regular use may cause breakdown of the tissues and possible ulcerations and therefore is not recommended.

Next week we will take a look at some of the professional alternatives available to help combat this chronic problem.

In the meantime, I’d love to get your comments. What do you do to keep your breath smelling sweet? Even sweeter; check out commentluv on my blogsite. When you leave a comment, you can leave a link back to your own blog! I look forward to hearing from you.