Bad breath has always been with us - even animals get it - and the search for a good halitosis treatment has been going on for ever.
The first remedies probably involved chewing aromatic herbs and brushing the teeth with twigs - remedies that are still in use in some traditions today. Though not very sophisticated by today's standards, they do focus on the right objectives: mask the odor and kill off or remove the offensive bacteria that cause the odor in the first place. Many herbs not only have a strong odor but have antiseptic qualities as well.
Chemical antiseptics were a logical step in the development of a halitosis treatment, and they are still widely used today. Antiseptics and antibiotics in mouthwashes are generally fairly effective at freshening the breath, at least in the short term. More recent experiments have explored the idea of physically removing oral bacteria with oily solutions (bacteria adhere to oil), using oxygen for bad breath producing bacteria, treating with vitamins and minerals, and making lifestyle changes. All of these approaches appear more natural and health-enhancing than using chemicals and antibiotics, and some even offer hope of a curative halitosis treatment that might banish the problem permanently.
Oxygen for bad breath is a logical approach that exploits the knowledge that most offensive breath odor is produced by anaerobic bacteria. Anaerobic bacteria are those that live in wet enclosed spaces where there is very little air or none at all - anaerobic means no air. Some of these bacteria can tolerate a little bit of oxygen, but none of them can tolerate very much, so delivering oxygen to the mouth, and getting it to penetrate all the tiny creases, grooves, pockets, and crevices in the mouth is lethal to anaerobes. Meanwhile, the oral tissues and the friendly aerobic bacteria in the mouth are completely unharmed by this halitosis treatment - aerobes continue to flourish and multiply, replacing the bad-smelling anaerobes.
If it works as well in practice as it does in theory, oxygen for bad breath should be very effective. The challenge, of course, is to deliver oxygen molecules to the mouth and make sure that they come in contact with the anaerobes. At least one commercial halitosis treatment has developed a system that aims to do that, and the product is doing well. Though the claims for the product do not suggest that it can cure bad breath permanently, it's likely that it could be used in combination with dietary improvements and lifestyle changes to re-establish a healthy, odor free mouth.
Some cases of chronic halitosis signal a health or dental problem that needs medical attention. If oxygen for bad breath or any other over-the-counter or natural remedy fails to give satisfactory results, you should consult your dentist or family doctor to determine whether any medical testing is indicated.
R. Drysdale is a freelance writer with more than 25 years experience as a health care professional. She is a contributing editor to Halitosis Treatment at Bad Breath Cure, a blog dedicated to the treatment of bad breath.
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