Is there a cure for halitosis?
- Thread starter DiamondJ
- Start date
hold on let me try that......oh crap now I have no tongue but i live on anandtech so who needs a voice?
Go to the drugstore and buy a tongue scraper, preferably one made of stainless steel so it lasts long. Scrape your tongue at least twice a day, more if needed, and you'll be amazed at how much cleaner your breath is. Seriously, there's a lot of residue from the bacteria breading on your tongue which causes the foul odors.
Don't use a toothbrush for the tongue, since it will put a grip to it, causing poor removal and cause make you feel like gagging.
Don't use a toothbrush for the tongue, since it will put a grip to it, causing poor removal and cause make you feel like gagging.
I remember reading a story about a woman who had (a long time earlier) ingested some food into her lung and over time it caused nasty halitosis. They found it by accident in an XRAY for a different problem. Interesting, but (even if it's true), probably not the reason for most people. 
You have to find the source of halitosis before you can effectively treat it, otherwise you're just guessing. Chronic halitosis is usually caused by poor oral hygiene, tooth decay, and/or decomposing food stuck between teeth or below the gumline, but it can be caused by a chronic infection which involves the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes.
Oral sources are the easiest to cure. Obviously, get your decaying teeth fixed (or pulled) and you'll be way ahead. Decomposing food matter below the gum line needs to be scraped or flushed away (by a dentist, not a DIY job), any infection needs to be treated. Brushing and flossing more often, since if you were doing this enough to begin with, you wouldn't have any problems.
One of the best things you can do for your mouth is to rinse with hydrogen peroxide daily (or a few times per week). In fact, this is exactly what any dentist will prescribe as part of a treatment regimen if you have gum disease. Not only does peroxide kill bacteria, but it oxidates decomposing matter, will debride dead or dying mucosal cells, oxygenate infected tissue, and promote healing.
If your gums are not in tip-top shape, I would advise using diluted peroxide for the first two weeks because peroxide can be very irritating to unhealthy gums. OTC peroxide is already diluted to 3%, by further diluting it, mixing 1 part water and 1 part peroxide (effectively making it 1.5%), will minimize irritation.
After your gums have healed a bit and the infection has subsided, you can progress to 3% peroxide out of the bottle. Peroxide in any concentration can stimulate any exposed nerve, and not the good kind of stimulation, either. If you have any 'holes' in your tooth enamel through which peroxide can reach the nerve, you will feel it, which is why you should see a dentist first.
Peroxide at one time was available OTC in concentrations up to 20%, but people were neglecting the advice of their dentists to dilute the hydrogen peroxide before using it, they just used it straight out of the bottle. 20% hydrogen peroxide is VERY strong and can damage tissue, so instead of a mildly 'oxygenating' rinse, they severely damaged their lips, gums, tongue, etc. So regulations now require OTC peroxide to be in a concentration that is 'safe' to use out of the bottle.
Rinsing with peroxide takes a little getting used to because it foams and fizzles a bit, you want to take as little air as possible into your mouth with the peroxide. Rinse a minimum of 30 seconds, preferrably 60 seconds, daily for a minimum of several weeks.
As mentioned already, removing that 'gunk' which can accumulate towards the back of your tongue is another part of the regime. I just use my toothbrush to scrub my tongue, but some people use those tongue scrapers you can buy at the drugstore.
Minty things like gum and mouthwash are only temporary cover-ups, but they are part of the overall treatment plan.
'Deeper' infections which involve the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes are more difficult to "cure". These are the sources of halitosis which are more likely to remain chronic despite treatment with antibiotics.
Oral sources are the easiest to cure. Obviously, get your decaying teeth fixed (or pulled) and you'll be way ahead. Decomposing food matter below the gum line needs to be scraped or flushed away (by a dentist, not a DIY job), any infection needs to be treated. Brushing and flossing more often, since if you were doing this enough to begin with, you wouldn't have any problems.
One of the best things you can do for your mouth is to rinse with hydrogen peroxide daily (or a few times per week). In fact, this is exactly what any dentist will prescribe as part of a treatment regimen if you have gum disease. Not only does peroxide kill bacteria, but it oxidates decomposing matter, will debride dead or dying mucosal cells, oxygenate infected tissue, and promote healing.
If your gums are not in tip-top shape, I would advise using diluted peroxide for the first two weeks because peroxide can be very irritating to unhealthy gums. OTC peroxide is already diluted to 3%, by further diluting it, mixing 1 part water and 1 part peroxide (effectively making it 1.5%), will minimize irritation.
After your gums have healed a bit and the infection has subsided, you can progress to 3% peroxide out of the bottle. Peroxide in any concentration can stimulate any exposed nerve, and not the good kind of stimulation, either. If you have any 'holes' in your tooth enamel through which peroxide can reach the nerve, you will feel it, which is why you should see a dentist first.
Peroxide at one time was available OTC in concentrations up to 20%, but people were neglecting the advice of their dentists to dilute the hydrogen peroxide before using it, they just used it straight out of the bottle. 20% hydrogen peroxide is VERY strong and can damage tissue, so instead of a mildly 'oxygenating' rinse, they severely damaged their lips, gums, tongue, etc. So regulations now require OTC peroxide to be in a concentration that is 'safe' to use out of the bottle.
Rinsing with peroxide takes a little getting used to because it foams and fizzles a bit, you want to take as little air as possible into your mouth with the peroxide. Rinse a minimum of 30 seconds, preferrably 60 seconds, daily for a minimum of several weeks.
As mentioned already, removing that 'gunk' which can accumulate towards the back of your tongue is another part of the regime. I just use my toothbrush to scrub my tongue, but some people use those tongue scrapers you can buy at the drugstore.
Minty things like gum and mouthwash are only temporary cover-ups, but they are part of the overall treatment plan.
'Deeper' infections which involve the larynx, trachea, and bronchial tubes are more difficult to "cure". These are the sources of halitosis which are more likely to remain chronic despite treatment with antibiotics.
Do you have sinus problems? I think I'm starting to get bad breath because of sinus problems.
My mom used to have the most horrible smelling breath. When I drove her to places I could smell her in my car. She had horrible sinus problems that required surgery. Now, after the surgery, I don't think she has bad breath anymore.
My mom used to have the most horrible smelling breath. When I drove her to places I could smell her in my car. She had horrible sinus problems that required surgery. Now, after the surgery, I don't think she has bad breath anymore.
I hope that I never need to do this much research on this subject. Good luck too you. Hope it gets better.
No, but I'm an oral practitioner...does that count? :Q
I did some research on gum disease a while ago, which naturally included information on causes and treatment of halitosis.
Actually, while warm salt water is a good remedy for certain things like canker sores, sore throat, and other lesions in the mouth (such as after having oral surgery), it does not have the antibacterial and oxidizing action of hydrogen peroxide. They are really indicated for different things and salt water will do nothing for your halitosis.
Originally posted by: Zakath15
Originally posted by: Jfur
I read that licking a cat's anus can also help
:Q
Ewwww....
I just wanted to see if any desperate nerds try it
most important is to use a tongue scrapper. second most important is to floss, even if it looks like it is doing nothing. also try using a baking soda based toothpaste instead of the regular ones. finally, use mouthwash... not not alcohol based mouthwashes! use act mouthwash (it's green) because it has no alcohol, which can cause your mouth to become dry, which is bad. after all that you can use gum, breathe mints and breathe spray, but those are sorta weak.
tongue scrapper is number one. try drinking soley water too (no soda and syrupy drinks or alcohol).
tongue scrapper is number one. try drinking soley water too (no soda and syrupy drinks or alcohol).
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