Bryan T. Osterday, DDS is from Cincinnati, OH. He attended Miami University and The Ohio State University College of Dentistry. He spent 14 years in private practice and is now the Professional Liaison Consultant within the Professional Oral Health division of Procter & Gamble. In this role, he helps to oversee professional development within the dental community, promotes oral health to underprivileged children and has lectured throughout the region. He is married to a veterinary oncologist and has 3 children.
Top 5 Bad Breath Myths
1. Bad breath comes from the foods we eat
OK, we all know those onions from your favorite potato salad can leave behind an offensive odor … but this is only temporary. There are no foods (no matter how much garlic you eat) that contribute to chronic bad breath, which affects over 40 million Americans. Halitosis is linked to elevated levels of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which typically accumulate on the rough surface on the back of your tongue. So, continue to enjoy your favorite summer foods … just take care of your mouth afterward!
2. If I had bad breath, I’d know it
Ah, that would sure be a relief, right? Yet research shows we can’t actually smell our own breath because we’ve become adapted to it from continual exposure. So give yourself fresh breath confidence by using Oxyfresh mouthrinses. These rinses neutralize odor-causing compounds with the exclusive ingredient Oxygene®. In fact, Oxygene® is clinically proven to freshen breath up to six hours … while fighting the buildup of plaque and tartar for a happy smile!
3. Bad breath originates from the stomach
Only on very rare occasions does bad breath result from stomach and/or digestive problems. Studies show that 85 percent of bad breath issues start in the mouth. This is because sulfur-producing bacteria find their way into the soft and hard tissues of the mouth and, primarily, the surface of the tongue. That’s why keeping your breath its freshest starts with a clean tongue. VSCs like to hide in the deep pockets of the tongue where toothbrushes can’t reach. Lucky for you, you can use Oxyfresh’s Oolitt® or Oolitt® Elite tongue scraper to remove up to 75 percent more of odor-causing bacteria!
4. If I brush my teeth I will eliminate bad breath problems
Unfortunately, brushing alone is not effective in eliminating odor-causing bacteria. But a simple Scrape-Brush-Rinse routine makes fresh breath as easy as 1-2-3! Of course, when you do brush, it helps to have a toothbrush that’s up for the job … like Oxyfresh’s Health Brush! Its soft, dense bristles are perfect for use with Oxyfresh toothpastes, or you can dip it into Oxyfresh mouthrinse and apply it directly to the gum line. It can also be used dry to apply Oxyfresh Super Relief Dental Gel.
5. I can rinse with a mouthwash and use breath mints to control my bad breath
While there are many claims about these products, most are ineffective and actually make bad breath even worse! That’s because they only mask the problem with strong flavorings for a few minutes at best. And the alcohol content dries out the mouth, causing odor-causing bacteria to flourish. Each Oxyfresh mouthrinse is alcohol-free and eliminates bad breath completely with the power of Oxygene®.
Your questions about oral health are answered on Page 2.
I have dentures top and bottom should I still get gingivitis. Why?
Gingivitis is typically discussed when talking about people with teeth in the mouth. That being said, inflammation of the tissue of the mouth (the gums under a denture) is very common. Cleaning the dentures very well, using a proper oral rinse, such as Crest Pro Health Multi Protection, taking the dentures out at night and regular trips to the dentist should help.
What causes your breath to smell like mothballs?
Breath that smells like moth balls…? I’m not sure about that, specifically. will tell you that proper home care, including proper brushing, flossing and rinse can greatly help. Also, regular trips to the dentist are very important.
What can you do about throat stones?
Throat stones are a problem for some people. An ENT (ear, nose and throat) physician is the recommended doctor to see regarding these.
What about that bad breath caused by extreme dry mouth and throat? Brushing, flossing and rinsing do not alleviate the dryness, especially at night. My mouth tastes bad all the time. Even toothpaste tastes stale and dry.
Dry mouth is a problem. There are products on the market that specifically target patients with dry mouth (xerostomia). I would try to locate and use these first. Next step would be to see a dentist.
If you have regular checkups, cleanings, floss & brush at least twice a day, but still have bad breath, what else can you do to help? Is there a site on oral health or literature you can suggest for a chronic problem?
You are right, check ups twice a year are very important. What must be followed is proper home health care. Many people believe that they are doing a good job at home, but simply are not. Brushing with a recommended brush and floss (Crest Pro Health Advanced paste and Oral-B Cross Action All in One brush) is key. Also, flossing should be done daily. Try Glide floss. Lastly, a rinse, such as Crest Pro Health Multi Protection would be great to use.
Is regularly gargling with peroxide healthy?
Gargling with peroxide is not something typically taught in dental schools. Using a mouthwash such as Crest Pro Health Multi Protection for a simple mouth rinse/wash is recommended.
What are your thoughts on fluoride – good or bad? I’ve heard it causes autism.
Fluoride is one of the greatest things we have as a society to help combat dental caries. It is a naturally occurring substance in nature. When placed into products, such as Crest Pro Health toothpaste, it is incredibly safe and very effective in combating dental decay. As a father of a child with autism, rest assured that there has been no scientific link between fluoride and autism.
How often do we have to get deep cleaning?
Regular dental check ups are the most important thing one can do to maintain oral health. With proper home care and check ups, deep cleanings, such as root planing, likely won’t be necessary. That said, if one needs a deep clean, it should only be as necessary and as determined by the dental health professional.
What’s the best toothpaste and mouthwash to use?
In my opinion, the best toothpaste is Crest Pro Health Advanced and the best mouthwash is Crest Pro Health Multi Protection. The best toothbrush is the Oral-B Pro 5000 power brush.
Brushing and flossing can be different for each person. The amount of time and how well one does during brushing can make all the difference. A power brush, like the Oral-B Pro 5000 can make a huge difference. Keep up the good work and it should get better soon.
Good morning, I have broken teeth in the back of my mouth. A friend told me it’s causing infection all over my body since I haven’t taken care of it. Is that true?
Broken teeth can often lead to a dental abscess. Yes, if an abscess develops, it can lead to significant systemic problems.
Question for the dentist: which is better… regular flossing or water pic flossing?
Regular flossing is superior to water. Use of floss, such as Glide, can greatly improve dental health and help to reduce bad breath.
What’s the earliest you should start taking your child to the dentist?
Children are urged to see a dentist prior to turning one.
Does bad breath come from your tongue? And does brushing your tongue help any?
Yes, bad breath can come from your tongue (as well as other areas, such as the throat and periodontal pockets). Brushing the tongue, brushing the teeth very well, flossing and using a mouth rinse, such as Crest Pro Health Multi Protection, can greatly help.
What is the doctor’s opinion of dental implants?
Dental implants are an incredible advancement in the field of dentistry. They are highly recommended as a replacement for missing teeth.
Can brushing with peroxide help with whiten your teeth?
Brushing with peroxide is not a recommended manner in which to whiten one’s teeth. Use of products with a purpose specific for such things is recommended. For instance, toothpaste such as Crest Pro Health Whitening Paste and Crest Whitestrips are the recommended products to whiten one’s teeth.
What are the physical problems can happen because of bad oral health?
Bad oral health can lead to significant health issues. Some issues that have been related to poor oral health are: diabetes, pre-term or low birthweight babies, heart disease, and on and on.
Can not eating for an extended period of time cause bad breath?
Yes, not eating for extended periods of time can help to cause bad breath. If, for whatever reason, one does not regularly eat, they should still maintain proper dental hygiene of brush, floss and rinse.
Is eating ice bad for your teeth? Is so, why?
Eating ice can be bad for one’s teeth. The reason is due to the fact that biting on very hard objects (like ice) can cause chipping of teeth, which can lead to significant dental problems. The ice itself is likely fine, as it is merely frozen water. The act of biting or chewing the hard ice is the problem.
Is swallowing semen good or bad for you? I’m not trying to be funny – me and my wife and some of our friends argue about this! Can you resolve our debate once and for all?
Swallowing of semen should have no effect on oral health as long as that person maintains proper oral hygiene, which includes proper brushing, flossing and rinsing. To my knowledge, there are no known benefits or risks specific to your question as it pertains to dental health.
My boyfriend eats healthy- no beef, no pork, and plenty of fruits and vegetables, but recently has developed bad breath. What is the cause of that?
Eating healthy foods is highly recommended. That said, anyone can develop bad breath. A visit to the dentist would be my first recommendation. After that, proper home care of adequate brushing (2 minutes), flossing and rinsing is very important.
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