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Did you know that the bacteria that causes bad breath can be killed off by a substance from the bark of a magnolia tree? This is the latest research just out and it was conducted bya famous company which makes mints. Obviously looking to make a killing with a new mint! They found that when this substance was used in a mint, it killed off 60% of the bacteria which cause bad breath,compared with a normal mint which killed off a mere 4%!

If you suffer from bad breath, you are not alone. Experts now say that this is a major social and psychological problem which affects the majority of the population, Yes, it is that bad ! But babies, cats and dogs also suffer from the same problem.

How do you know you have it ? The easiest way to determine if one has bad breath is to ask someone who is trustworthy or simply ask your doctor or dentist. Another, more private, method of determining if one has bad breath is to lick one’s wrist, wait until it dries, then smell the area. Scraping the rear area of the tongue with a plastic spoon, then smelling the spoon, is another method one can use to assess bad breath.

How come that bad breath exists and what causes it ? Basically the bacteria in your mouth release rather smelly material which will coat the mouth lining, teeth and gums. But the major amount will be deposited on the tongue. Cigarette smoking and even passive smokers may have this problem. Spicy foods and fatty foods, and coffee may all create rather unpleasant smells. Garlic and onions are well known in craeting social barriers, especially in the short term so you have to plan well ahead ! In these situations, a sprig of parsley, combined with a good brushing amd a mouthwash or mint will usually do the trick.

Occasionally, a person may develop delusional or obsessive behaviour regarding breath odour problems, and mental health counselling may be appropriate. Finally, many medical conditions can contribute to bad breath, including periodontal disease, xerostomia (dry mouth), respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, postnasal drip, diabetes, gastrointestinal issues and liver or kidney disease. Most mouthwashes only disguise bad breath for a short time.

Oil-containing mouthwashes are now gaining popularity as a home-based cure for bad breath.Most cases of bad breath are the results of bad oral hygiene- that means a build up in bacteria and that will cause your breath to become offensive and unpleasant. Some mouthwashes containing zince have been found to be effective. Then there are a whole range of mouthwashes containing antibacterial agents such as cetylpyridinium chloride, zinc gluconate, essential oils and cholride dioxide. Diet with fresh fruits (apples and citrus) together with celery help to keep a healthy mouth together with plenty of water to stave off a dry mouth.

. Possible homeopathic remedies that may be useful for bad breath include Nux vomica and Kali phosphoricum. The most effective treatment of bad breath is to treat the cause. If bad breath is a continuing problem or there are other symptoms, such as bleeding gums, a doctor or dentist should be consulted. A medication change may be warranted if a prescription drug is contributing to bad breath. Most bad breath can be treated successfully with good oral hygiene or medical care.

So, while we will have to wait a while for magnolia bark mints to solve the problem, in the meantime, we will have to look for quicker solutions. the site below will explain all about bad breath and offer a fast long term solution.