Cavities lead to serious problems, but how do they actually form? The teeth exterior is covered with firm enamel made of mineralized fascicles. This surface is coated by an acid substance that infiltrates between the fascicles while eating. Bacteria are now settled in your mouth and unfortunately so too is the bad breath.

Fluoride toothpastes, mouthwash or drinkable water that contain flour are a great source for solving dental problems. You should test the water you usually consume and find out its flour concentration. If the amount of flour found is not adequate, doctors can prescribe a medical treatment, which mimics the same effects, otherwise, the problem of tooth decay and cavities may become serious. Mouthwash, special medicine drops or even tablets can end the teeth damage process.

If you think you are developing cavities, see your dentist as soon as possible. Superficial cavities will eventually deepen, reaching into the root of the tooth and causing the pulp to become infected. A dental abscess may then appear causing you to suffer great pain and bad breath due to the tooth being surrounded by a smelly pus bag.

Pus appears because the body starts producing antibodies to fight the infection. Bacteria will spread infection in the tissue surrounding the tooth and consequently spread an annoying bad smell in your mouth.

Your breath will become unbearable because the gums affected can deviate from the tooth and the space between them can collect particles of the food that you eat which can later form bacteria. A dental abscess can also seriously affect the bone tissue surrounding the teeth.

Some of the symptoms to look out for are throbbing toothaches, especially during eating, red or swollen gums, fever or a bad taste in your mouth. You may also notice a tooth color change to grey or pink.

A bulge on the gum near the tooth can form and a considerable amount of yellow pus or blood may ooze from the red, bulging zone.

As the infection spreads the ache may decrease and this is the effect of bone tissue dissolution. When losing this tissue the tooth is poorly fixed and may be dislodged. A medical exam is mandatory in this situation.

A dentist may inspect the oral cavity to identify the swollen gums or other infection signs that suggest a dental abscess. A dental radiography may also be necessary. The dentist will make an informed decision on what antibiotics should be used to eliminate the infection. They may also need to make an incision on the upper or backside of the tooth to drain the infection. If necessary, they can also make an incision on the bulging zone to drain the infection.

I think we will all agree after reading the above that regular dental checkups are necessary to save us from the embarrassment of bad breath and the excruciating pain of an infected tooth.

Depending on their age, children can have a habit of putting things up their noses, which may become lodged and lead to bad breath. It’s not unusual for children to poke small objects into their mouths and noses. If there is a suspicion of this, it is probably best to allow a doctor to probe and remove the foreign object. There may be an indicator of this activity if there is a discharge from the nose. It’s also been reported that small swallowed objects can become lodged in the passages and cause bad breath.

The habit of oral hygiene needs to be instilled in children while they are growing up. It’s fairly well established that children are not necessarily fastidious in keeping their teeth and mouths clean, and the presence of old food may provide a good breeding ground for the bacteria that cause decomposition and smelly breath. Children should always be encouraged and taught to maintain the highest standards of oral hygiene, as this is a habit that they will carry with them through their lives.

When considering a case of chronic bad breath in children, the usual factors that create the problem in adults should not be ignored. These would include dry mouth, which creates an environment conducive to the bacteria flourishing. While it should be expected that children would not be so prone to bad breath from chewing tobacco, or from drinking alcohol, they are more prone to diseases that affect the saliva glands, and to getting respiratory or throat and mouth infections. These in themselves may cause direct odor, and they will also aggravate the problem by causing mouth breathing and drying out.

Post nasal drip is a particular problem found in young children which can cause bad breath. The bacteria causing the smelly breath tend to be at home on the back of the tongue, and this is exactly where the nasal drip concentrates. The nasal drip itself is a chemical compound that is reported from research to act as a fuel to the bacteria. It contains protein made up of amino acids that are broken down to hydrogen sulfide and other smells.

If it appears that your child has a persistent bad breath problem, it would be wise to consult your physician for assistance in diagnosing and curing the issue.

How can you know if your breath is offensive?

Try this simple bad breath(Halitosis)test:
Lick the inside of your wrist and wait 4 seconds. Now smell your wrist. If you don’t like what smell, your breath does not smell good either. Easy, no? An accurate and portable diagnosis!

What causes bad breath?

· Not enough water in your body, dehydration.
· Gum or tooth problems/ disease
· Intestinal/ stomach disorders, yeast infection
· Use of medications
· Stress

Remedies for Bad Breath (Halitosis)

1. Water – yes, water! Many people suffer from chronic dehydration because they don’t drink drink the 8-12 glasses of water a day that the body needs. This common form of dehydration causes much common bad breath. You can improve your breath – and give a big lift to your health – simply by drinking enough water.

2. Recently eaten food that hasn’t been brushed out can quickly smell bad. The “cure” then is to simply brush or floss. For gum disease and decay you must visit your dentist. And for improved oral hygiene, put a few drops of Oil of Oregano on your toothbrush or to swish it in your mouth as a mouthwash. Did you know that Oil of Oregano is antibacterial/ anti viral/ anti fungus and anti parasite? It seeks out these health impediments everywhere in the body. At the first signs of infection, Oil of Oregano is your great first line of defense.

3. For disturbed digestion you should see your doctor. But for mild problems such as GERD and acid reflux, take probiotics in the form acidophilus or kefir. For worse stomach problems try ¼ cup of Aloe vera before breakfast. Do this for at least 3 weeks. For my friend Peter this completely healed his stomach ulcer! Most GERD are related to the H pylori, which is a bacteria found in meats that haven’t been thoroughly cooked. If you like your meat rare, take Oil of Oregano on a regular basis as a preventive measure.

3. When you are under too much stress your digestive system doesn’t circulate enough oxygen (the energy goes into a fight or flight mode). This makes your digestive tract a breeding ground for the wrong bacteria – and for bad breath as well. Be sure to introduce deep, relaxed breathing throughout your busy day.

4. Eat raw parsley, chew on anise seed or cardamom, nutmeg or fennel – they’re natural breath fresheners that don’t just mask odors, but actually freshen the breath.

5. Eat plenty of vegetables, fruit and whole grains; avoid white flour products like white bread and pastas, as well as sugared juices and sodas.

5. You may have an undetected yeast infection. Find out for yourself by performing a simple self-test for yeast/candida overgrowth.

6. Chew your food well and do not drink fluids with your food. Take no food two hours before bedtime and try to not take food for 12 hours after dinner.

7. Eliminate as often as you can. Try to have three bowel movements a day. If you need some help, try 4 ounces of prune juice with 4 ounces of magnesium citrate. (My R.N. friend Marie calls this “The Bomb”.) For more help try 2000 mg. of vitamin C with electrolytes every hour. Do this for 4 hours or more, until you start to have loose stools. (This also works well for headaches and boosts your immune system.

8. Drink at least 2 cups of kefir a day. This helps your intestinal flora regain its natural balance of bacteria.

Remember – fresh, clean breath is a reflection of good health, and health is an ongoing process. Stick with it! Follow my suggestions, and keep a log of what you do and the effects you see. This simple tracking process can help you pinpoint what is truly effective. You will be inspired by your own success!