Bad breath causes and how to treat it

Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is the term for when an unpleasant odour is present upon exhaled breath. However, it is nothing to be embarrassed or ashamed about and in fact around 95% of us suffer with it at some point in our lives, with a quarter of adults battling it on a regular basis.

Consistently poor oral hygiene is primarily the cause of bad breath. Bacteria from poor oral hygiene can accumulate on the teeth and tongue, causing plaque to form (the soft, white deposit that forms on the surface of the teeth), gum disease and tooth decay.

Unfortunately, this bacteria joins with saliva in the breakdown of food particles and proteins, culminating in the release of unpleasant smelling gases known as also known as volatile sulphur compounds (VCSs). The culprit VCSs include: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, allyl methyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulphide. The failure to brush and floss on a regular basis will mean that food still trapped in areas between your teeth will be broken down by the bacteria, giving you bad breath.
There are numerous other factors though that can contribute to bad breath, and it is worth being aware of them.

Crash dieting

Fasting and low-carbohydrate/high-protein diets result in the the body breaking down fat and chemicals called ketones are produced, which can be obvious on your breath with their sickly, sweet odour that has a distinct metallic smell.

Smoking

Many people who do not smoke would probably be able to distinguish a smoker by breath resembling the smell of an ashtray. Stopping smoking can also stop this kind of bad breath and also reduce the risk of gum disease – which also causes bad breath.

Food and drink

Realise that if a food or drink item has a stench going into your mouth, the after-effects coming out will probably have a stench as well! Garlic, onions, spices, coffee and alcoholic drinks are particularly bad culprits. Bad breath from these foods and drink is normally only a temporary problem and can be averted by simply avoiding these things.

Medicines

Certain types of medicines are known to cause bad breath and if this is indeed the case, you can speak to your GP about possible alternatives if the problem proves troublesome. Medicines associated with bad breath include: some chemotherapy drugs, some nitrates used in the treatment of angina, phenothiazines (tranquilisers), dimethyl sulfoxide and disulfiram.

Stress

The body’s sympathetic nervous system begins during times of stress enabling a rapid response for ‘fight or flight’ situations, but this results in a decrease in the production of saliva. This happens as saliva is only required for the breakdown of food, and not in a crisis moment. However, this results in the mouth becoming much drier. A dry mouth usually means bad breath!

Morning bad breath

Bad breath after a night’s sleep is a common occurrence as the mouth dries up and stagnates during the night. This type of bad breath normally subsides after beginning to eat breakfast and the flow of saliva increases.

Treating bad breath

Bad breath treatment will usually depend on the cause of it. As we have stressed already, stopping smoking, avoiding certain food and drink, eating enough carbohydrates, having good oral hygiene, as well as using CB12 mouthwash (as seen on television) and fresh breath sprays such as Gold Spot, are just some of the things you can do to try and alleviate bead breath.

Also, attend regular dental check-ups as dentists can ensure any plaque is removed from your teeth – especially in areas difficult to get to. They can also spot any early signs of gum disease and advise appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Causes of bad breath and how to treat it

Just under seven weeks (48 days!) are what only remain between now and Christmas. During the next month especially, many people will be planning Christmas parties, whether this be with work colleagues or family and friends.

However, imagine you are standing across the room from handsome stranger and your eyes meet. Maybe they happen to be the good-looking person from the other department that you always have had a crush on, but never quite had the courage to speak to and ask out. Later on when the drinks are flowing, confidence has increased, there is some mistletoe conveniently located above you both, and you are about to share a kiss.

But at this point for many people, is where panic kicks in. What about bad breath! Yes, bad breath is a cause of worry for millions of people around the UK and can even result in considerable distress.
With a lot of kissing happening under the mistletoe around the festive period, perhaps now is the time to understand what causes bad breath, what can be done to limit your chances of repeatedly suffering with it, and to be aware of some of the great products out there that can treat bad breath.

Bad breath is also known as ‘halitosis’, and is a common problem that will effect everybody at some stage of their life – usually when they first wake up in the morning. For some, bad breath is a persistent issue that can ruin social lives and result in major loss of self-esteem.

Firstly, the facts – It is thought that around one in 4 people suffers with regular bad breath, although it may differ between what people report as ‘bad breath’. The most cases of bad breath are caused by Volatile Sulfuric Compounds (VSCs). The waste emitted by those bacteria is the main source of these compounds and partly why your dentist advises you to brush your teeth daily!

The brainchild behind revolutionary mouthwash CB12, Dr Thomas Norlin, has previously spoke in great detail the significance of VSC gases and what provided him with the motivation to develop the remarkable CB12 mouthwash.

He said: “The majority of VSCs are produced when protein remnants in the mouth break down into amino acids. The two amino acids that form the main substrate for the production of VSCs are cysteine and methionine. VSCs originate from food, such as a protein-rich diet, milk products and cheese. They also originate from blood, a dry mouth or anything that increases the number of germs, i.e. the amino acids. Certain bacteria have enzymes that break down these amino acids and the result is sulphurous gases, i.e. VSCs which consist of the gases hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Methyl mercaptan is the component of VSCs that causes the worst smell, even in very small quantities. We also know now that there is a correlation between VSCs and periodontitis.

Dr Norlin added: “In other words, there are elevated levels of VSCs in deep gum pockets, so patients with gum pockets have higher levels of VSCs than other patients. Studies often measure only hydrogen sulphide and not methyl mercaptan to detect VSCs. In order to show the presence of methyl mercaptan a gas chromatography is required. The methyl mercaptan smells the worst and is more aggressive, also it is not neutralised as easily as hydrogen sulphide. With the development of CB12 there was one primary aim: to eliminate all gases and not just some of them. By using a gas chromatography as part of thorough research it has been proved and later published in several scientific journals that CB12 eliminates VSCs for a longer period and is more effective than any other product that exists on the market.”

VSCs are just one of many reasons for bad breath however, and others include:

. Poor oral hygiene

Bacteria accumulated on your gums, teeth and tongue can cause tooth decay, gum disease and plaque (the soft white deposit that can develop on teeth). This bacteria works together with saliva to break down food particles and proteins, causing an unpleasant smelling gas to be released. Failing to brush and floss on a regular basis will mean any food that is still caught between your teeth will be broken down by the bacteria, causing bad breath.

. Smoking

Smoking causes a whole range of problems for the teeth and gums which have a knock-on effect for breath. Regular use of tobacco can and will stain your teeth, lead to a loss of taste, and can cause gum disease by having a detrimental impact on the attachment of bone and soft tissue to your teeth, interfering with the normal function of gum tissue cells. Many of the harmful chemicals contained within tobacco smoke dry the mouth and promote growth from the ‘wrong’ type of bacteria, leading to bad breath. Stopping smoking can both lower your risk of gum disease and help to improve your breath.

. Strong smelling food and drink

Something that smells strong going in, will probably smell strong coming out! Garlic, onions, spices, coffee and alcohol are some of the worst culprits for bad breath. This type of bad breath is usually only temporary and can be limited by avoiding these food and drinks, in addition to maintaining good dental hygiene.

. Unhealthy/crash dieting

Fasting, crash dieting and low-carbohydrate diets may help you to lose weight quickly, but they can be disastrous for your breath. Such diets can cause to body to break down fat for fuel instead of carbs, which then starts the production of molecules called ‘ketones’. One type of ketone, called acetone, is released in your urine and breath.

Treating bad breath

Treatment for bad breath will usually depend on the cause. As we have highlighted already, stopping smoking, avoiding certain food and drink, eating enough carbs, having good oral hygiene, using CB12 mouthwash and fresh breath sprays such as Gold Spot, are just some of the things you can do to try and alleviate the problem.
Make sure to attend regular dental check-ups as dentists can ensure any plaque is removed from your teeth – especially in areas difficult to get to. They can also spot any early signs of gum disease and advise appropriate treatment as early as possible.

Bad breath biggest pre-date fear for Brits

The film ’50 First Dates’ may have depicted the issue as one of a light-hearted comical experience, but in reality first dates can often prove a nerve wracking and sometimes stressful experience – and this is before you have even gone on the date!

Brits worry about a whole assortment of factors leading up to the date such as choosing the right attire to wear or if there will be a sufficient number of topics of interest to discuss to mask over any potential awkward silences.

However, a new survey by the makers of revolutionary mouthwash CB12 has found that indeed bad breath seems to be the biggest concern of single Brits before going on their date, with over half who answered the survey stating this is their main worry before the big night.

Perhaps this is an unsurprising reason provided as a concern when bearing in mind that the same survey found three quarters (75%) claim they would be deterred from going on a second date with somebody if they had bad breath (also known as halitosis).

Topping the list however for dating turn-offs was body odour (86%), followed by bad breath, whilst excessive sweating and bad teeth were both given as reasons for being turned-off by 58% of the respondents.

Therefore, to increase your chances of achieving a second date with somebody, it might be worthwhile making sure you are stocked up with plenty of anti-perspirant, toothpaste and neutralise any bad breath for up to 12 hours with CB12 mouthwash!

The survey also discovered that bad skin/spots (34%), over-doing make-up (30%), untidy-looking nails (29%) and too much facial hair (28%) also proved to be big turn-offs for people.

James Preece, a top UK dating expert said: “It’s completely natural for people to get pre-date nerves, especially on a first date when first impressions are so important. Bad breath is clearly causing a huge amount of angst amongst daters, yet thankfully there are products out there such as CB12 which can help.  Confidence is key when it comes to dating as when people ooze confidence they appear more attractive to others – addressing pre-dates concerns boosts chances of having a fantastic date.”
The biggest pre-date worries, in order, were found to be:

. Bad breath
. Choice of outfit
. Looking fat
. Body odour
. Bad hair
. Food stuck in teeth
. Untidy/Ungroomed nails
. Make-up
James has provided 5 tips for unlucky-in-love serial daters to try and follow. They are:

1. Friday afternoon is the best time of the week to message when online dating. People are winding down at work, looking forward to the weekend and are looking for a distraction and possibly a date over the weekend.

2. If you want to attract and date a ’10,’ you’ve got to become a ’10′ yourself. This needs to be in every way – mentally & physically. So always dress to impress and never stop looking at ways to improve and enrich your life.

3. Mint can really enhance a kiss as the cooling sensation when air hits your mouth is a fantastic feeling. This can make it more memorable and give you more chance of getting another!

4. Kissing involves three senses at once – touch, taste and smell. So if you don’t have fresh breath you’ll spoil it for both of you.  Before your date, make sure your breath is fresh by using a mouth rinse so you can be confident you’ll have fresh breath throughout your date and especially for your first kiss!

5. A smile shows empathy and showing your teeth is a primitive display that you are not a threat.   So if a person gives someone a genuine warm smile it shows they are interested and comfortable talking to them. Studies have shown that teeth don’t need to be overly white to be considered attractive, just clean and natural looking. If you have bad teeth or bad breath then it suggests you are lazy and don’t care about your appearance, so definitely work on this if necessary.

No need to hold your breath anymore for a cure: CB12 is here!

With Christmas almost upon us – 32 days away to be exact – friends, family and work colleagues will soon be gathering together in what is a jovial time across Britain as the festive spirit takes over. As Christmas trees and decorations will be gracing homes and work offices, one particular Christmas decoration – mistletoe – will sometimes rather humorously be deliberately situated in a location by somebody who has earmarked out their crush for a romantic Christmas kiss.

However, perhaps an underestimated threat to this happening and certainly no laughing matter, is persistent bad breath. The condition is also known as ‘Halitosis’ and it can be a deeply upsetting and bothersome thing to live with for somebody who suffers with it. Even a simple thing as a kiss has to be strategised, with any attempt possible made to mask the odour from the other person. These attempts though such as soft mints or chewing gum, are often a futile and very short-term solution for bad breath.

Although most of us will experience short periods of bad breath, it is believed that up to 50% of people are suffering from persistent bad breath, which can be the result of numerous reasons. These can include lifestyle choices such as heavy smoking and alcohol consumption, in addition to eating certain heavily flavoured foods such as garlic or onions can leave an undesirable odour. Persistent bad breath may be a sign of poor oral hygiene such as not brushing your teeth regularly or even gum disease, and occasionally bad breath may be symptom of infection or illness, or could be an unwanted side effect from taking a particular medication. Nitrates taken for angina and some chemotherapy medications can affect a person’s breath.

Without doubt though, the most common kind of bad breath stems from naturally-occurring bacteria present in our oral cavity and work at disintegrating bits of food inside the mouth. Food debris continually coming into contact with the bacteria, allows it to flourish and the anaerobic respiration of this bacteria will then generate repulsive ‘rotten egg’ smelling gasses, also known as volatile sulphur compounds (VCSs). The culprit VCSs include: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, Allyl methyl sulfide, and dimethyl sulphide.

This process of which will cause bad breath in all of us at some point, is referred to as ‘Endogenous bad breath’. Many people around the UK – including some doctors – believe that this bad breath is caused by digestive upsets or metabolic diseases like diabetes. However, scientists say that almost 90% of endogenous bad breath is actually caused by the bacterial build-up on the tongue.
In some cases, this type of bad breath may be treated through a simple process of cleansing the tongue thoroughly on a regular basis, known as ‘tongue scraping’; performed before or after you’ve finished brushing and flossing your teeth. Unfortunately, bacteria on the tongue can reproduce at a rapid pace and constantly produce VSCs.

Therefore, you might be wondering what can be done to fight these pesky VSCs that are causing undesirable breath. Well, the answer might lie with a revolutionary mouthwash that is currently flying off the shelves in countries all around the world. The mouthwash in question is named ‘CB12’, which may be familiar with those who have seen its adverts on television.

Most mouthwashes will simply mask the smell of bad breath for a very limited period of time and this is where CB12 is different. This unique long-lasting mouth rinse has been proven in clinical trials to be highly successful at preventing and neutralising bad breath for up to 12 hours. If that isn’t enough to get excited about, CB12 also contains fluoride to help prevent tooth decay.

After initially being launched in Sweden back in 2006, the wonders of CB12 have quickly spread around the globe and it has hit record sales. The brains behind CB12 is Dr Thomas Norlin, currently a leading implantologist at The Dental Spa in Shrewsbury, which is part of The Velvet Group, and Dr Norlin continues to act as a scientific advisor for CB12.

Dr Norlin first became interested in creating a product that would properly and efficiently fight bad breath way back in 2002, after becoming frustrated that existing products would only work to mask the odour through the use of various flavourings, and not actually get to the route of the problem.
This is what Dr Norlin explained in regards to VSC gases and what provided him with the motivation to develop the remarkable CB12 mouthwash: “The majority of VSCs are produced when protein remnants in the mouth break down into amino acids. The two amino acids that form the main substrate for the production of VSCs are cysteine and methionine. VSCs originate from food, such as a protein-rich diet, milk products and cheese. They also originate from blood, a dry mouth or anything that increases the number of germs, i.e. the amino acids. Certain bacteria have enzymes that break down these amino acids and the result is sulphurous gases, i.e. VSCs which consist of the gases hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Methyl mercaptan is the component of VSCs that causes the worst smell, even in very small quantities. We also know now that there is a correlation between VSCs and periodontitis. In other words, there are elevated levels of VSCs in deep gum pockets, so patients with gum pockets have higher levels of VSCs than other patients. Studies often measure only hydrogen sulphide and not methyl mercaptan to detect VSCs. In order to show the presence of methyl mercaptan a gas chromatography is required. The methyl mercaptan smells the worst and is more aggressive, also it is not neutralised as easily as hydrogen sulphide. With the development of CB12 there was one primary aim: to eliminate all gases and not just some of them. By using a gas chromatography as part of thorough research it has been proved and later published in several scientific journals that CB12 eliminates VSCs for a longer period and is more effective than any other product that exists on the market.”

He also states that recent studies recently carried out by the Microbiology Unit at West of England University, centred on a clinical comparison between CB12 and four other commercially available mouthwashes.  CB12 was found to be the best and most effective product.

If you are suffering from halitosis, why not try this miracle revolutionary product, and no longer will bad breath be a source of embarrassment or distress. CB12 is available today from the Medical Specialists Pharmacy Chemist Shop priced at just £9.95 for a 250ml bottle of either two varieties. We fully empathise that the build-up to Christmas hinders everybody’s disposable income so that is why we are offering such a low price compared to the RRP of £14.59.

We have the CB12 Mint Menthol, for a strong and refreshing mint and menthol taste, or you can opt for CB12 Mild, which has a gentle mint flavour – ideal if you have a sensitive mouth or if you desire a softer mint taste.