Get Rid of Bad Breath
Over 90 million North Americans have halitosis – or “bad breath.” According to Dr. Harold Katz - founder of the California Breath Clinic – bad breath has nothing to do with your teeth. It has to do with your tongue. That’s because the average mouth has over 600 types of bacteria in it, and most get trapped under your tongue. Since people get used to their own personal odor – whether it’s good or bad - most people with bad breath aren’t even aware they have it. So, here are a few tips to find out if you have bad breath, and how to get rid of it:
Start with a self-diagnosis, like a tongue check. Look in a mirror and stick out your tongue. If it’s pink and shiny, you should have fresh breath, but if your tongue looks white and scaly, you probably have foul breath.
Lick the back of your hand, wait a few seconds for the saliva to dry, and then sniff. Any sulfur compounds will remain on your hand and you'll smell them.
If you do have bad breath, Dr. Katz says there are several ways to fight it:
First, stay hydrated. A dry mouth is a breeding ground for smelly bacteria, but saliva has oxygen in it, which is a natural enemy for odorous bacteria. That’s why it’s important to activate your salivary glands by drinking water or chewing gum.
Another fix: Eat crisp fruits and vegetables like apples and celery to produce saliva, and scrub away bacteria.
Experts say you can also eliminate most mouth odors by gargling a small cup of lemon juice. Then, eat a tablespoon of plain, unsweetened yogurt. The combination of lemon juice and yogurt contains probiotics, which compete with and replace the reeking bacteria. That should keep your breath odor free for at least 12 hours.
Dr. Katz says if you still have bad breath after changing your eating habits, it could mean something more serious. In fact, 10 percent of bad breath cases are a symptom of a chronic sinus or respiratory infections, or acid reflux disease, as well as a liver or kidney disorder, cancer, or diabetes. So, if your breath’s still stinky, talk to your doctor.
FYI Vickster
ON John Tesh website Treating BB
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