How to Cure Chronic Bad Breath?

Adults and children alike suffer from chronic bad breath occasionally or regularly. Although common, chronic bad breath is not a laughing matter as it might signal a more serious medical problem that needs to be treated and solved.

So how can you treat or cure chronic bad breath?

To successfully cure chronic bad breath, it is first necessary for you to note and understand its underlying causes. Once you have identified what causes chronic bad breath to occur, it would then be easy for you to find a solution and treat it.

So to begin, note and understand that there are several possible causes of chronic bad breath. The list may include poor oral hygiene, periodontal infection or gum disease, intense buildup of odor-causing bacteria in the mouth, chronic sinus infection, candidiasis, unfavorable habits like smoking and drinking, poor digestion, liver and kidney disease, constipation, so on and so forth.

Given those underlying causes, it is now easy for you to agree that chronic bad breath is not something that should be ignored. So when you notice that something is wrong with your breath, start looking for a possible cure or treatment of chronic bad breath.

Well, there is one particular solution that is deemed effective to cure chronic bad breath - the use of low concentrations of carbamide peroxide. This treatment is actually revealed by certain researches at the Academy of General Dentistry's 53rd annual meeting which was held in Washington, D.C. just recently. According to some reports, the carbamide peroxide is an odorless ingredient that can not only be used to disinfect and bleach teeth, but can also cure chronic bad breath.

However, before you can apply the carbamide peroxide to cure chronic bad breath, you need first to consult a dentist who can customize trays or mouth guards that are made to fit tightly around your teeth. This is very much important as the solution is applied by placing it in the tray and into your mouth where it remains for an hour. Once the treatment is done, you maybe required to do the treatment by yourself at home. You can cure chronic bad breath at home for an hour everyday. Many of those who have tried this cure have claimed that after three treatments, you will notice a significant change in your breath.

There are also other solutions formulated to cure chronic bad breath. But, the truth still remains that to successfully cure chronic bad breath, you need to work closely with your dentist to find out other possible health concerns associated with chronic bad breath. This is also highly advisable to fully identify the most suitable plan for treating this condition. Chronic bad breath is no laughing matter, after all.

Are You Afraid of Bad Breath?

Halitophobia, or fear of bad breath, is a widespread but poorly understood condition. The diagnosis rests on the disconnection between the person's sense of foul mouth odor and the perceived experience by others that there is no unusual odor. Most treatment protocols advance one of two distinct approaches:

1. Behavioral modification or cognitive behavioral therapy(CBT). Each encourages thought changes to encounter the unreality of the symptom. Frequently combined with a non-therapist partner who reassuringly responds to exhaled breath by commenting on the odor.

2. Psychoanalytically oriented psychotherapy connects the current experience ( enhanced belief in the person's bad smell) with fears of rejection from the past. Through an emotionally corrective experience with the therapist, patients gain confidence that their anxiety about smelling bad can be reduced to a treatable symptom rather than a global anxiety.

While both therapies offer important relief ( along with anti-anxiety or anti-depression meds to reduce symptom pressure) neither is sufficient to control the phobic elements of the disorder which include:

--Hyper-vigilance to others' reaction 

--Signs of reference, i.e that people are turning away from them because of repulsion at their mouth odor which can create self-fulfilling reactions 

--Panic responses including shallow breathing, sweating, faintness, etc

The challenge for successful psychotherapy of these individuals remains the persistence of the delusional elements of the phobia. Even if today they don't smell bad how can they trust that tomorrow their mouth odor won't recur?

For example, a patient referred by his dentist complained of social isolation based on his perception of his breath odor. After taking an extensive history, the patient acknowledged that he had no real information regarding his actual mouth odor but deduced from peoples' reactions that he was disgusting to them. His deductions referenced people on the subway turning away from him or covering their mouths or noses in his presence. He acknowledged the possibility that he might be creating self-consciousness in others but felt helpless to prove or disprove his theory. As we developed more rapport he agreed to allow me to smell his mouth odor by exhaling into my face.

He was stunned when I did not turn away in disgust, but found a completely neutral mouth odor. He agreed to recruit a partner-- either a family member or friend-- to respond to his anxiety about his mouth However, he found the "recruiting" process overwhelming and so maintained his individual connection with me as his therapeutic ally. Although we partially contained his anxiety, the case highlights some of the challenges of treatment:

Challenges to successful treatment:

1. Referrals, usually by dentists, are difficult. Halitophobes should not be directly confronted about the unreality of their symptom. Usually some milder form of "exploring" "the issue is more successful, a skill many traditional dentists may lack.

2. Treatment requires a committed patient. The therapies recommended above both require time, effort and training.

3. The process of de-stimulation is long-- potentially life-long-- with peaks and valleys of disturbance

4. The resistance to the change of belief in the reality of their breath odor may be accompanied by increased anxiety in other functions of daily life. This should be understood and prepared for in advance of halitophobic treatment.

Treatment Recommendations;

There has been no literature on the use of group psychotherapy for the treatment of bad breath  I imagine that the principles of AA ( shared belief in the lack of control over the symptom) sponsorship by and of other group members, and on-call availability during crisis periods may be important underpinnings for successful resolution of bad breath.

However, I do not believe that in and of itself the model is sufficient. AA is dedicated to substance use and exhibits a "black and white" test which halitophobia lacks. The anxiety of a halitophobe, when untreated, is global, based on self referred tests of the environment.

A group experience would optimally benefit from traditional group psychotherapy methods which focus on how our current life reenacts -- frequently unconsciously-- experiences from our earlier life experiences. Without the depth of understanding which group members can provide, the AA model can alleviate the symptom without uniquely understanding the meaning of the symptom in that person's life. By doing so, the halitophobe can lack the emotional maturity to fully engage the connection between his current symptom and other life events. A mature therapy group actually mirrors the reenactment experience during the group. Emotionally educated and resilient groups can feed back to its participants the impact of their behavior and language and emotions. And potentially other group members represent a grounding for their anxiety.

The casualty issues for bad breath are indeed high. Frequently there is panic about entering social relations for fear of rejection. The AA model is a starting point for confronting symptom control. However, a course of individual treatment addressing both the etiology of the symptom as well as behavioral modification would be helpful. Optimal would be a continuing psychotherapy group dedicated to bad breath but also to life adjustment issues after a lifetime of delusional isolation and fear.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_Bruce_Bernstein

Say Goodbye to Bad Breath

“When people meet you for the first time, the first thing they notice is eyes. Second are teeth, and third is hair. But why people spend more money on their hairs, instead of teeth.”

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Bad Breath Remedies

Bad breath, also known as Halitosis in medical terminology, is an unpleasant odor that exits the mouth while breathing. This occurrence can be both embarrassing and troubling to many who suffer from the airborne nuisance. There are different types of bad breath, which occur for different reasons and therefore require different treatments.

Temporary bad breath is commonly caused by a dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, certain types of food and/or smoking. Any one or a combination of these can result in bad breath. Another common type of temporary bad breath is known as morning breath, which occurs first thing in the morning as an individual opens his/her eyes. Chronic bad breath is often caused by certain medical conditions, medications and/or oral buildup.

The determination of bad breath is often made by the person who suffers from it. A dryness or pasty feeling in the mouth and/or an unpleasant taste are both symptoms of bad breath. The best way for a quick, and temporary, relief is to drink a glass of water. This will restore moisture in the mouth and will help to provide some fast results.

The treatment for bad breath may include regular dental visits and proper cleaning, brushing 2 to 3 times daily or after every meal, regular flossing, a change in food consumption and/or diet regimen. In addition, many bad breath sufferers find that brushing the tongue will help to rid the mouth of bacteria that could later lead to a foul odor. Unfortunately for many who suffer from chronic bad breath due to an illness or necessary medication, the only plan of action against bad breath is to mask the problem as effectively as possible. A mouthrinse, chewing gum or breath freshener may help to reduce the noticeability of bad breath.

Anyone who suffers from bad breath may wish to carry a packet of chewing gum, breath mints and/or breath spray for quick relief. In the event that it isn’t always possible to brush after every meal, such as often the case when dining at work or with colleagues, these items will help to mask any odor until the individual is able to properly cleanse their mouth.

The information contained in this article is to be used for reference only. It is not to be used in place of, or in conjunction with, professional medical advice. Anyone who suffers from bad breath that cannot be eliminated with the above methods, or whose condition seems to worsen, should consult a physician for proper diagnosis and/or treatment.