Does your child have chronic bad breath or are they using methamphetamines? Today, across the entire country there is a street drug epidemic of a drug called methamphetamine, that many law enforcement officers call the "most addictive drug they have ever seen." This drug, because it is so addictive and the bad ways its users can react and behave, has increased crime rates dramatically in neighborhoods where it is prevalent.
Users will often do anything to get it and many end up in jail before they realize how bad their drug problem has become. It is important to be aware of your children's activities and to be aware of certain symptoms of methamphetamine users, such as bad breath, so you can get your child rehabilitation help if needed.
Signs Your Child May Be Taking Methamphetamines
One of the most common signs is odor on the breath of your child. This will be a chemical smell that is quite foul.
No amount of brushing or oral hygiene can make the odor of methamphetamine bad breath to go away. Your child may also exhibit the signs of methamphetamine use by noticing the pupils of their eyes are dilated.
Other common signs besides methamphetamine caused bad breath are unexplained nosebleeds as well as the nose being dry. Lips may also become cracked and bleed as well. Your child may exhibit other nasal or sinus symptoms as the drug is often snorted as well as smoked.
Many signs of your teen being involved with the use of methamphetamines are a lack of appetite or signs that point to anorexia. Your child may not being sleeping and it can also cause those who use it to become anxious, nervous or aggressive. Your child may also chatter incessantly. Most methamphetamine users will exhibit signs of hyperactivity as well.
When your child may be involved in using methamphetamines that cause bad breath, utilizing mouthwashes, breath sprays, lozenges and other breath fresheners will not eliminate the underlying cause of methamphetamine bad breath. Your child may try and mask the signs of his/her drug use, but if you are attentive to changes in your child's behavior, you may be able to put a stop to it before it becomes a real problem.
Other Effects of Methamphetamines
If the only sign is bad breath, it doesn't indicate the long term affects that using methamphetamines can cause. Some long-term serious side effects from using methamphetamines are: * Raise in blood pressure and your heart rate * Damage to the blood vessels that service the brain * Stroke * Death
You can also experience psychotic symptoms for a long time after you have stopped using methamphetamines. This drug is extremely addictive and one of the first things a parent may notice is the bad breath caused by methamphetamines. Don't be afraid to ask your teen questions, especially if he/she is exhibiting some of the signs of methamphetamine use. It is a dangerous drug and it is up to parents to monitor their children.
If your child is addicted to methamphetamine get them help at a rehabilitation center or through counseling. Bad breath is not always connected to methamphetamine use, so investigate further at the sign of one symptom, but do not assume your child is an addict just because they have bad breath.
Talk to them and observe their behavior. Heavy methamphetamine users will always show more than one symptom of using methamphetamine regularly.
Volatile Sulfur Compounds have a smell similar to hydrogen sulfide, which is very similar to the scent of rotten eggs. Bad breath and halitosis can also be caused by the medications you are taking. By reviewing the types of medications you are taking, you could address whatever bad breath problems you are suffering.
Medications can be at fault because most of them tend to be drying to the sinuses or may dry up mucus, which is partly the result of postnasal drip. Some types of anti-anxiety drugs can have this drying up effect as well. If Several common medications of this type have this side effect, so if you are noticing this drying problem, check the package insert for these medications, or talk to your doctor or pharmacist. You do not have to live with this side effect of bad breath.
Here are some of the medications which are known to cause dry mouth as a side effect:
* Birth Control Pills * Antihistamines * Anti depressants * Indigestion Remedies * Nasal Decongestants * Hormone Replacement Medicines * High Blood Pressure Medicines
Some of these medications can have such a severe drying effect that you may be tempted to simply quit taking the medication so that you do not have to offend people with breath that smells like sulphur and rotten eggs. Neither of these alternatives is acceptable. Instead, try these tricks to keep your body hydrated:
* Drink lots of water or sugar free liquids. * Drink water with some lime or lemon added, to make it more tasty. * Skip or reduce caffeine, overly spiced foods, and salty foods whenever possible. * Eat chewing gum, especially sugarless, to produce more saliva. * Reduce stress. * Use a room humidifier in your home or office.
An interesting fact is that just thinking about eating a sour food can stimulate saliva! Even when you don't have a lemon or sour candy handy, just picture eating a lemon, and you can produce saliva! Saliva is highly effective in reducing bad breath, since it contains the bacteria-killing qualities needed to reduce bacteria in your mouth. Without sufficient saliva production, halitosis increases when you have dry mouth.
Once you take steps to check your medications to see which ones might cause dry mouth and bad breath, along with how you can produce more saliva, add some improved oral hygiene tips. There are many types of oral care that can help you improve your breath quality along with the other steps you are taking to reduce the impact of medications.
You must brush your teeth every day, at least once. The way you brush your teeth is important too. Using the correct brushing technique is critical to removing the food particles that can get stuck between teeth. By brushing daily, you reduce a large reason for bad breath. It's also important to have regular dental checkups and get your teeth professionally cleaned to stop the effects of bacteria. One step that many people take is to brush their tongue. Take a look at your tongue in a mirror, and look for white substance on your tongue surface near the back. That substance can be removed by brushing with your toothbrush, or purchasing a tongue scraper at your local pharmacy. That white stuff can cause bad breath. Maintaining a healthy diet is important too, not just for overall health, but for reducing or eliminating bad breath.
Try this quick cleaning method when you find yourself in a situation where you want to make sure your teeth are clean but you aren't able to brush. Take a drink of water, and swish the water around in your mouth. This can loosen and rinse away any particles of food that may be trapped in your teeth, which lead to bacteria and bad breath. Spit out the water after rinsing. Taking even this simple action can help!
By eating something healthy, such as vegetables or fruit, you can produce saliva from chewing and at the same time avoid the types of foods that can produce bad breath, such as candy or greasy chips. Eating a carrot or apple can produce saliva and keep plaque from forming.
One last item to consider is that low Vitamin C has been shown to be a possible cause of bad breath. Some habits such as smoking can cause a deficiency in Vitamin C. Try eating a snack that is high in Vitamin C, or taking a vitamin supplement can help your breath stay fresh.
Both Brue Baker & Kelvin Ho are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Brue Baker has sinced written about articles on various topics from Food And Drink, Nutrition and Alternative Medicine. Brue M. Baker, is an expert on natural health and fitness who has helped people all over the country sky-rocket their health and well-being. Rather than worry and be embarrassed about bad breath let Brue introduce you to a. Brue Baker's top article generates over 49500 views. to your Favourites.
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