To find out how to stop halitosis, it is important to understand what it is, how it works and then what remedies actually work. This article will discuss how mouthwash can help reduce bad breath.
Halitosis, also known commonly as bad breath, is caused by the bacteria that accumulates in the mouth of a person. Mostly found on and near the back of the tongue, anaerobic bacteria can thrive in the back of the mouth where there is little oxygen and lots of amino acids. The acid actually occur in phlegm, mucus, and food residues from dairy and other foods high in protein. When food residues like these are left in crevasses in the teeth and gums, it will produce Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC). Volatile Sulfur Compounds give off a small of hydrogen sulfide, similar to rotten eggs. Such foul breath condition can also be caused by some foods after digestion, or in some cases, from certain medications that we take.
Without daily brushing and flossing of teeth, these food particles stay lodged in the mouth and allowing bacteria to multiply. As the food particles begin to decompose, they produce a sour or unpleasant odor. In addition, when you eat foods like onions, garlic or other similar foods, the properties of these foods become absorbed in your bloodstream, which then is transferred to the lungs and is exhaled when you breathe. Your breath condition will only improve when these food is processed by your body or has left your system.
When you look through all the items available in the oral hygiene section of your local drug store, there is such a wide variety that it can be overwhelming. Unfortunately, most products really are not effective at killing bacteria in your mouth if your bad breath is a chronic problem. These products are often designed just to smell sweet and mask the bad breath smell, but they only will work for a very short while. One exception would be any kind of mouthwash that has zinc chloride as an ingredient, or one which your dentist recommends.
Ingredients In Mouthwash
When you are trying to decide which mouthwash to purchase, look for these ingredients or features:
Cetylpyridinium chloride
This is an antibacterial compound which can reduce the amount of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth.
Zinc chloride
This material can reduce the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds, and also will bind to other compounds which anaerobic bacteria uses to develop volatile sulfur compounds.
Antibacterial or antiseptic mouthwash
This can kill the anaerobic bacteria responsible for producing volatile sulfur compounds. Avoid any of these mouthwashes that have alcohol, which is a drying agent.
Chlorine Dioxide
This is an oxidizing agent which uses oxygen to affect anaerobic bacteria to reduce the bacteria in the mouth.
Home Made Mouthwash
A good home remedy is to use hydrogen peroxide as a mouth rinse. It adds oxygen to the environment where the bacteria are thriving, and thus helps kill the anaerobic bacteria. If you do not have any hydrogen peroxide, simply using a glass of water to swish around the mouth can also remove any food particles that remain stuck between the teeth and gums. Food particles that remain lodged in your mouth will result in bacteria growth, and in turn bad breath. Leaving food in your mouth to rot can become a gold mine of bacteria.
Tips When Using Mouthwash
In using an everyday mouthwash product, there are certain techniques to get the most effect. The purpose of using a mouthwash is to kill any bacteria causing foul breath and the bacteria that cluster at the back of your tongue. It is most effective to gargle when you rinse, being sure to rinse the back of the mouth with an ah sound. This action makes the tongue shift toward the front of the mouth, and let the mouthwash access the rear area of the tongue where most bacteria can be found. Once you have thoroughly rinsed and gargled, be sure not to swallow the mouthwash, but to spit it out to remove the bacteria.
Ultimately the type of mouthwash, how it is used, and whether you also have a good oral hygiene habits will determine whether or not using mouthwash is effective in controlling bad breath. As long as you are making regular visits to your dentist, brushing and flossing daily, then your mouthwash can be an important part of reducing bad breath.
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