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.

Mnay people do not know that they have bad breath or have never bothered to find out! The best way of all is to ask your doctor or dentist to tell you. However, there are other methods, such as licking your wrist and then the saliva dry for a minute or two. By smelling the dried area, you can determine if you have bad breath or not. Some people recommend scraping the back of the tongue with a plastic spoon and then smelling that.

What causes bad breath? The bacteria which will live in the oral cavity called the mouth, will create rather unpleasant gases and these will live quite happily on the teeth, gums and especially the tongue (where up to 90% of the bacteria take up residence!) Cigarette smokers are at major risk but also people who have to put up with passive smoking. Foods which are fatty and spicy are also major culprits. Garlic and onions have not exactly been known to create sweet smelling breath. A short term solution here is a sprig of parsley to chew plus a good brushing , maybe followed by a mouthwash.

Most people think that mouthwashes are the solution but in fact this is a only a very short terrm solution and does not address the real cause of the problem. Other people go to the other extreme and become obsessive or manic about their breath and may well have to have counselling. Howeevr the real cause in many cases, apart from bad oral hygiene, are medical conditions such as gum disease, dry mouth, bronchitis, sinusitis, diabetes and liver and kidney disease.

Mouthwashes containing essential oils will help to keep the mouth healthy although it is not the real long term solution in many cases. However the major causes of bad breath is simply poor oral hygine which allows the bacteria to get a hold and causes the bad smell. Other effective mouthwashes are those containing zinc and antibacterial agents such as chloride dioxide. Diet can play a role too in that fresh fruits like apples and citrus fruit can keep th mouth healthy and clean. Plenty of water is a good idea as well as that can prevent a dry mouth.

Nux vomica and Kali phosphoricum are homeopathic remedies which can also be tried. But the best way to treat bad breath is the cause. There may be a problem with bleeding gums and in that case a dentist should be consulted. Sometimes, medication can be a contributory cause and a change may be recommended. At the end of the day most bad breath problems can be treated simply by good oral hygiene and medical care.

We may well have to wait a while for the magnolia bark mints to clean up bad breath. In the meantime, we may well want to find a fast long term solution. The site below contains a lot of useful information and is worth studying.