Naked Science Forum
Life Sciences => Physiology & Medicine => Topic started by: NakedScientist on 22/05/2003 19:25:28
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DOG BREATH SUFFERERS - HERE'S THE REMEDY
Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, the UIC researchers found. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Washington, D.C. by Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and research associate Min Zhu.
Bad breath -- or halitosis -- afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets.
In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours.
At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria.
At even lower concentrations -- from 2.5 to 25 micrograms per milliliter -- the polyphenols hindered the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen sulfide, cutting its production by 30 percent.
Wu said the present study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
"Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce," Wu said.
The polyphenols found in tea include chemicals called catechins and theaflavins. Catechins are found in both green and black teas, while theaflavins are found predominantly in black tea.
Black tea, an aqueous infusion of dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is the most popular beverage worldwide, second only to water. Per capita consumption averages four fluid ounces per day.
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Thats really interesting!!!
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So is coffee good for anything at all (apart from keeping you alert)... (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fsmilies.crowd9.com%2Fcwm%2F3dlil%2Fsleep.gif&hash=b73f35297ee8535d1e17cc2ef4f428f9) (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2F216.40.249.192%2Fs%2Fcontrib%2Fblackeye%2Fdrooling1.gif&hash=05e94cc1ff8bbcd72ea2cb1c1b41dfe1) (https://www.thenakedscientists.com/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.stupid-boy.com%2Fsmilies%2Fcontrib%2Fedoom%2Fsleeping.gif&hash=140c20d85d5923bad79d37e0c3e4bc3d)
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So if tea is such a popular drink, how come there are so many people around with bad breath? Personally, I think they need to floss their teeth. I think with older people with some gum recession, food sticks to their gumline and between their teeth and begins to rot, causing yucky breath. And the odor of rotten food is very distinctive. How do you tell someone to floss their teeth tactfully?
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I truly have a bad breath problem and beg the help of anyone who might be a sufferer or know of ways to treat a truly honest problem. I am 18 and at least twice daily go through this regimen: floss, scrape tongue, brush with toothbrush, use sonicare electronic toothbrush, whip out my normal toothbrush again and really get my back teeth, top of mouth, tongue, and under tongue to the point I almost gag, and then polish off with peroxyl mouthwash. Whew. I have had this problem all through high school and no matter how hygienically clean my mouth should be or gums or breath mints I use, my breath is still atrocious.
I asked my dental hygienist about this and she said she has the same problems and it is from allergies and she really can't do anything about it- but she did recommend the peroxyl. I do suffer from bad allergies and notice an odor to my snot, but surely there has to be a way to treat this to at least lessen the halitosis a bit. PLEASE respond with any suggestions- I had led a life of isolation and embarrassment for too long now. I thank you in advance for any help you might be able to provide!
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Sorry to hear about your problem. The obvious starting question is "do you really have bad breath ?".
I ask since a high proportion of people who are worried about bad breath have 'delusional halitosis' where the bad breath is more of a problem for them than anyone else.
If you genuinely do have bad breath then there must be a cause. I'm not sure what your dentist means by 'allergies' causing it, unless she is referring to having a persistently blocked up nose which makes you breathe through your mouth ? This causes a problem because the mouth becomes dry which stops the anti-bacterial components of saliva (antibodies, lysozyme etc) from working properly.
Mouthwashes containing alcohol are also bad news for the same reason. They paradoxically dry out the mouth and hence promote the proliferation of the bacterial culprits.
My first suggestion would be to cut the mouthwash and to increase the amount of water you drink each day. Being dehydrated causes halitosis.
Then have a look at your diet and omit anything strongly flavoured or garlic / onion rich.
Then see how you get on.
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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Chris- thank you ever so much for responding, but I am positive that this is not "delusional halitosis." And all of your information I have heard over and over again. The problem is that I think this stems from my allergies or sinuses- meaning I do sleep with my mouth open and there might be some kind of nasty nasal drip going on. It is not coming from any food I may be eating, which does not include garlic and onion anyway. I am on Allegra and took allergy shots for years, and did not notice any difference in my breath. I am currently not using any kind of nosespray except Ocean, but in the past have used Nasonex, flonase, rhinocort etc. to no avail. Perhaps I wasn't using them as often as I should, but if anyone could suggest a good spray, I'd me very receptive to the suggestion. I only used Peroxyl, which does contain alcohol, because it was suggested by my hygienist which she used for the problem and said it was able to break up the congestion a bit. I am going to try and get a hold of Oxyfresh with zinc which does not contain alcohol and is supposedly good with breaking down sulfur compounds. Sheesh- thanks Chris, and anyone with more advice, I thank you!!
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Kannie, here are a few things you could try.
For sinuses:
Dissolve one rounded teaspoon of salt in a pint of tepid distilled water. Put some in the palm of your hand (or use a nasal syringe) and gently inhale, tipping your head back so the solution can be drawn into your throat. Spit it out. Do this in the morning and again at night.
For your body:
Remove sugar and sweets from your diet. Bacteria loves to feast on residual sugar in your mouth. Add lots of dark green veggies to your diet (parsley is great). The chlorophyll sweetens your scent.
Do a colon cleanse. You can buy a kit at a reputable health food store. If your colon is not clean, the water supply to your body is similar to sewer water.
No quick fixes, just old fashioned remedies that work.
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I seem to remember reading some obscure article about helicobacter and bad breath. That's the organism that causes ulcers. Maybe Chris might have heard of that. If so, it's treatable with Tetracycline, I think. You can get tested by gastroscope, but I heard there's also a breath test for helicobacter as well. Might be another avenue to explore. Obviously, the smell isn't coming from poor oral hygiene, so I would think the next places to look are in the lungs and the stomach. Is your snot green or yellow? Might be an infection causing the foul odor. Had a patient once with a lung abscess and his breath could have been registered with the defense department as a weapon.
Bezoar
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My snot is usually yellow but it has a smell to it which makes me believe it is contributing to my bad breath. Any ideas on sprays or certain methods to cut down on such nasal problems? Any more ideas? I appreciate all of your suggestions very much.
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There is an attatchment that you can get for a "water-pick" that is for your sinuses. It's a bulbous,(I love that word)rubber piece that fits on the end of the water jet that allows you to completely flush the sinuses. Great for allergies. It could probably be found on the internet if not at a pharmacy. Or, you could make one like mine out of a small rubber ball and a drill.
Just a thought.
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Yellow snot with odor makes me think infection -- sinusitis. You can get it cultured and the proper antibiotics prescribed. Any doctor can do it. Shouldn't be that difficult. I'm at a loss to know why, with your symptoms, it hasn't been cultered already.
Bezoar
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Hey guys, I too have this problem with mt stiky breath. But only by fluke, i found that if i only ate plain chicken brest and mixed veggs 4 to 5 times a day the problem disapeares after 3 days. If this works for anyone pls email me as i am curious.
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My mum said, the amount of sleep also affect your breath.I use to have very little amount of sleeping hours and breath smells terrible in the morning. But it all changed after I had a good night sleep for up to 8~10 hours.
Tom
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excuse me- my snot is usually white/clear with your occasional yellow booger- but nothing out of the ordinary i would say. but definitely stanky. so my questions, right to the point- how to prevent mouth breathing while sleeping, how to lessen my allergies, clear up sinuses/ and allergies with any kind of medicine or nose spray, anything! i've tried flushing with saline and stuff and that doesn't really seem to help all too much but i should wait to judge until after 2 weeks of treatment to note improvement. thank you all again for your help on this lovely matter.
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If you do genuinely have an allergy problem which is causing your symptoms of a blocked up nose, as opposed to a structural problem such as nasal polyps, then a combination of a once-daily nasal steroid spray (eg fluticasone) and night time strong antihistamines (e.g. chlorpheniramine) ought to improve things. The antihistamines should be taken at night because they are sedating and that way you won't notice !
Chris
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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Here I come with more remedies from Gran. Whenever we have bad breath we suck on whole cloves. I actually lodge a clove between my upper lip and gum for an hour or sok. The tea thing I had heard. My mother's family are all Scots so we drink oodles of tea. Of course, my gran thought that "a cuppa" was a cure for just about everything.
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Do check for stomach and allergies my son has liver disease caused by crohns colitis and his breath is so bad. Did take him to the DDS and it was not caused by any tooth problems. I think it is from the colon stomach problems He has quite a few allergies also from a very young age, he is now 27 karen
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I found a website that works. Check out http://freshbreath.hopto.org
quote:
Originally posted by NakedScientist
DOG BREATH SUFFERERS - HERE'S THE REMEDY
Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, the UIC researchers found. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Washington, D.C. by Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and research associate Min Zhu.
Bad breath -- or halitosis -- afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets.
In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours.
At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria.
At even lower concentrations -- from 2.5 to 25 micrograms per milliliter -- the polyphenols hindered the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen sulfide, cutting its production by 30 percent.
Wu said the present study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
"Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce," Wu said.
The polyphenols found in tea include chemicals called catechins and theaflavins. Catechins are found in both green and black teas, while theaflavins are found predominantly in black tea.
Black tea, an aqueous infusion of dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is the most popular beverage worldwide, second only to water. Per capita consumption averages four fluid ounces per day.
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Visit http://freshbreath.hopto.org
quote:
Originally posted by NakedScientist
DOG BREATH SUFFERERS - HERE'S THE REMEDY
Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, the UIC researchers found. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Washington, D.C. by Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and research associate Min Zhu.
Bad breath -- or halitosis -- afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets.
In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours.
At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria.
At even lower concentrations -- from 2.5 to 25 micrograms per milliliter -- the polyphenols hindered the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen sulfide, cutting its production by 30 percent.
Wu said the present study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
"Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce," Wu said.
The polyphenols found in tea include chemicals called catechins and theaflavins. Catechins are found in both green and black teas, while theaflavins are found predominantly in black tea.
Black tea, an aqueous infusion of dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is the most popular beverage worldwide, second only to water. Per capita consumption averages four fluid ounces per day.
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OK, I do have allergies. I went to my doctor and got a CAT scan and all this business to check out my sinuses which we learned are "underdeveloped." He basically just said if I wanted surgery, I could, but I don't really know if that would help my breath problem.
All I know is that my breath is still awful regardless of anything I do. Please help me with anything that might've helped you. I've read almost every possible literature out there, been utilizing therabreath mouth wash, I know it is definitely not a hygiene problem. And my breath smells like farts- it is disgusting and I am so disgraced and embarrassed but there is nothing I can do.
Please again, everyone, help me in any way that you can.
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dear kannie, i too suffer from halitosis and its such a massive problem to me. i have to chew gum most of the time.
for me, it turns out that my breath goes bad once i've eaten something. i use dentel ph mouthwash which works for a while but the effect wears off and my breath goes bad.
can anyone reccomend some natural mouth freshners like parsley??
which green vegetables should i be looking at to eat?
ohh
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Hi stb,
Welcome to the forum. Looks like black tea works well, but it might stain your teeth like coffee and cigarettes do. I switched from coffee to green tea sweetened with stevia (4 to 5 cups a day), and think my breath stays fresher (no one's complained or moved away from me when I talk). You also get the benefits of antioxidants from green tea.
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Breath as I understand, comes from the lungs and wafts the stomache into the mix. If there is continuous bad breath, could it be a stomache ailment? I've known people with ulcers that had "fart" breath and drainage into the stomache from allergies would be an affect. Maybe soothing the stomache would calm the breath. Check your diet and keep tabs on what goes in. It could be an acidic reaction to what is being consumed. I've also had, what I call "empty breath". If you're not eating enough / regularly enough, it can funk up your exhales.
Just a thought.
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if i was too make black tea, i suppose i shoud'nt use sugar?
ohh
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Try using stevia (made from a leaf) if you want a sweetener. You can get it in health food stores or in Canada we can get it in the pharmacy section of grocery stores.
I haven't done any research on stevia. Does anyone know if it affects your blood sugar or creates acidity in your body like sugar does?
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Hey It is an amazing news for me. I had nearly stopped taking tea. I thought it is not good for brain but if it is good for stopping the bacterial growth in the mouth, then I am gonna start taking tea regularly.
Life is too short to make enemies, so make friends.
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Stevia Extract is great in hot tea. I use the brand "Sween'n Natural" Super Stevia extract. Paid $16.00 in USA for 10oz. container that shakes it in your cup and seems alot like confectioners sugar. Can only use a teeny bit and it is sweet enough. Too much tastes like too much. It has no chemicals, no Aspartame and no Saccharin and no calories in it. There is not a thing i can find on the web about any harmful side effects on research. All that I find is that Japan and other countries have been using it for 20 plus years, and it had not caused problems with them. The only thing I found is some people don't like it in cold drinks. They say it works well in hot drinks and in small amounts. I am drinking it now, and mostly every day, it tastes great, and no bad breath for me! yeahy yeahy!![:)]
Forever Young
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Stevia Extract is great in hot tea. I use the brand "Sween'n Natural" Super Stevia extract. Paid $16.00 in USA for 10oz. container that shakes it in your cup and seems alot like confectioners sugar. Can only use a teeny bit and it is sweet enough. Too much tastes like too much. It has no chemicals, no Aspartame and no Saccharin and no calories in it. There is not a thing i can find on the web about any harmful side effects on research. All that I find is that Japan and other countries have been using it for 20 plus years, and it had not caused problems with them. The only thing I found is some people don't like it in cold drinks. They say it works well in hot drinks and in small amounts. I am drinking it now, and mostly every day, it tastes great, and no bad breath for me! yeahy yeahy!![:)]
Forever Young
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28g of stevia costs $10 CDN in Calgary. It's delicious in green tea.
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geez, ten dollars for 28 grams? What a waste! If you don't like brushing your teeth then go for it I guess! I'd say just don't eat snacks and brush your teeth after each time you eat something (three times a day -if- you don't eat snacks) if your breath is that bad.
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It sounds expensive but it's really not. Stevia is much stronger than sugar so you only need a tiny pinch in a hot drink to equal a teaspoon of sugar. Then there's the dental and health benefits.
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Well if it suits you then use it I guess, but I think it's easier to brush your teeth rather than changing your diet so you don't have to.
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lol...Stevia does not negate the need to brush and floss[:D], it's just a lovely alternative like honey or maple syrup. I've heard that it doesn't "whiplash" your blood sugar levels, though I'd like something more solid than heresay on that issue. Maybe Visitor10 has come across some information...
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I found a link to a show we did a year or so ago about remedies for bad breath. It made for some amused listening :
Here's the link. The text version is at the bottom of the page (click " full length text" at the top right) or the audio version is the third block of audio down the page from the top.
http://www.thenakedscientists.com/html/shows/2002.06.23.htm
"I never forget a face, but in your case I'll make an exception"
- Groucho Marx
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yea i had the same problem as kaine, its like i tried every trick in the book , thearabreath and everything, but its just some mucous drainage most probably from my back of my nose, i even got surgery to straigthen my septum and my problem presists, my saliva smells bad and there is no good reason for this mucous drainage because my nose functions absolutely fine
azah
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If your breath smells, you are stone out of luck! It's a part of you and hard to get rid of. Believe me I know all to well. I just live my life as a hermit. I've prayed about it since I came from the factory like this but prayer hasn't changed my bad breath so I'm not going to continue in my search for a breath cure, wasting hundreds, yes hundreds of dollars. If this is the way God wanted me to be then fine. When I face judgement day i will be sure to ask why I couldn't get any divine help on the matter.
quote:
Originally posted by NakedScientist
DOG BREATH SUFFERERS - HERE'S THE REMEDY
Compounds found in tea can stop the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath, according to researchers at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds, the UIC researchers found. The findings were presented today at the annual meeting of the American Society for Microbiology in Washington, D.C. by Christine Wu, professor of periodontics and associate dean for research at the UIC College of Dentistry, and research associate Min Zhu.
Bad breath -- or halitosis -- afflicts a large portion of the population. It is caused by foul-smelling volatile sulfur compounds, like hydrogen sulfide, produced by anaerobic bacteria that thrive in environments lacking oxygen, such as the back of the tongue and deep gum pockets.
In the laboratory study, Wu and Zhu incubated tea polyphenols with three species of bacteria associated with bad breath for 48 hours.
At concentrations ranging from 16 to 250 micrograms per milliliter, the polyphenols inhibited growth of the oral bacteria.
At even lower concentrations -- from 2.5 to 25 micrograms per milliliter -- the polyphenols hindered the enzyme that catalyzes the formation of hydrogen sulfide, cutting its production by 30 percent.
Wu said the present study complements earlier research in her laboratory showing that black tea suppresses the growth of bacteria in dental plaque and that rinsing with black tea reduces plaque formation and the production of acids that cause tooth decay.
"Besides inhibiting the growth of pathogens in the mouth, black tea and its polyphenols may benefit human oral health by suppressing the bad-smelling compounds that these pathogens produce," Wu said.
The polyphenols found in tea include chemicals called catechins and theaflavins. Catechins are found in both green and black teas, while theaflavins are found predominantly in black tea.
Black tea, an aqueous infusion of dried leaves of the Camellia sinensis plant, is the most popular beverage worldwide, second only to water. Per capita consumption averages four fluid ounces per day.
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It is unfortunate that people were naturally born with bad breath genes but nothing seems to help it. Prayer, mints, mouthwashes, nothing! I've adjusted to just living as a hermit.
ma
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Hi there!
Just wanna know if and how the person who posted this has solved this problem after such a long time.
Thanks