The Secret to Bad Breath Mouthwash
If you have bad breath, mouthwash has probably been in your hygiene for quite some time. It’s a straight forward way to combat bad breath and after all, it seems reasonable; a quick swig of mouthwash and your breath is good as new, right? Unfortunately, commercial mouthwash only covers up the bad breath and does not eliminate the causes of chronic bad breath. In fact, mouthwash can actually cause bad breath and as such be making the situation worse – and this is supposed to help! This article will help you by revealing the secrets to mouthwash, and will even give you some ideas for other effective ways to get rid of your bad breath.
A person’s mouth is inhabited by more than 600 different types of bacteria living in a synergistic relationship. The vast majority in these bacteria are aerobic, meaning they need oxygen to survive, but a small fraction are anaerobic, which conversely means they thrive when little oxygen is present in their environment. Anaerobic bacteria are odor causing bacteria because they emit waste products called volatile sulfur compounds as part of their normal metabolism. If for some reason the anaerobic bacteria start to grow out of control, the waste products from these bacteria will become significant enough that they are registered by others and recognized as bad breath. Any treatment of bad breath must address this issue and try to neutralize volatile sulfur compounds, either by eliminating the bacteria or by reestablishing a balanced environment in the mouth. That’s why those who brush and floss are much more likely to eliminate bad breath because brushing and flossing get’s rid of food particles and dental plaque both of which are conducive to bad breath. Good dental health, including mouth rinse, tongue cleaning, and reducing plaque are essential component in any attempt to cure bad breath.
There are several types of mouthwash for bad breath available in the market today. The vast majority are designed to disinfect your mouth and to fight germs that appear in your mouth, on your teeth, and on your tongue. Oral health products like mouthwash have ingredients in them that actually can fight germs, including toothpaste with zinc lactate. Zinc is great for fighting germs because it is antibacterial and very healthy for your body. Popular brands of mouthwash, like Listerine, often have zinc chloride in them for those reasons. Another well-known bacteria fighting ingredient in oral products is chlorine dioxide. So, as you can see, for fighting plague buildup and for a healthier set of teeth, a good mouthwash is an asset.
If you have chronic bad breath, though, that is another story altogether. Chronic bad breath – or halitosis – is always there, for one reason or the other, and can in some cases require medical care. Sometimes it is poor hygiene; other times it is due to medical conditions. Incidentally, periodontal disease is one of the leading causes of chronic bad breath and if your gums are red and inflamed, perhaps even bleed when you brush, you should seriously consider seeing your dentist. Regardless, mouthwash is not ideal for your condition. Why is this? The secret is that most mouthwash products for hygiene contain a common ingredient: alcohol. Alcohol is useful in these situations because of its antiseptic effect. However, it dries out your mouth. Why is this bad?
As mentioned earlier, the bacteria that causes halitosis in your mouth (and other oral problems) are anaerobic, which means it thrives in environments that are devoid of oxygen. The drier your mouth, the more hospitable it becomes for this bacteria. So, if you rinse regularly with alcohol based mouthwash (like Listerine and most mouthwashes on the market) you will have a very dry mouth. This condition is also called xerostomia – or a lack of saliva in your mouth – and I think most people are shocked to learn that the mouthwash they count on to keep their breath fresh could very well be one of the most common causes of bad breath. The flavoring agent in Listerine may leave you with a sense of fresh breath, but unfortunately it will provide you with just he opposite.
What, then, should you do? You may not believe this, but there is a very common beverage that is wonderful for mouthwash. This is none other than green tea. You may have even had this drink before. If so, the benefits of this drink extend to encompass more than its great taste. Green tea contains a lot of antioxidants, and is also antibacterial. These components make it perfect for destroying that obnoxious halitosis-causing bacteria (as well as formation of plague). What’s more is that it will not dry out your mouth like conventional mouthwashes and it is even very effective in reducing plaque and gingivitis.
If you do not like to drink green tea, or do not want to drink something with caffeine in it, fear not. You can actually get nutritional beverages that have decaffeinated green tea extract in them, so that you get the full measure of the benefits green tea has to offer. So, to recap, normal mouthwash is generally bad for you if you have halitosis. There are exceptions such as Breath Rx Starter Kit, but most of the time it just will not get the job done and directly stands in the way of any bad breath cure. Green tea is a wonderful alternative to your traditional mouthwash products if you have chronic bad breath – and it tastes good too! Therefore, to end your chronic bad breath, mouthwash is a good tool to use – if it is the right type.
