Common Causes for Bad Breath

Would you believe that there are ninety million people in the United States alone suffering from chronic bad breath? That’s a lot of halitosis! What causes all that bad breath? These are the top culprits: The food you eat. Some things are just stinkier than others — like garlic or onions. Food can also contribute to problems with bacteria in the mouth (see number 3 for the explanation). Tobacco and alcohol. They can leave your mouth stinky! Bacteria that lives in the mouth. When bacteria in the mouth interact with food particles, they can give off stinky by-products. Bacteria can … Continue reading

Parsley

Parsley is more than just a garnish! The ancient Romans used parsley to cover the smell of alcohol on the breath and aid in digestion. If a person looked like they were at death’s door, it was said that they were in need of parsley — the herb was sprinkled on corpses as a deodorizer. In ancient Greece, parsley was used in funeral ceremonies and wreaths given to athletes. People believed that the demi-god Hercules had used parsley in his garlands; the herb was fed to horses in the hopes of increasing stamina. By the Middle Ages, parsley was used … Continue reading

Frugal Ways To Combat or Eliminate Bad Breath

Bad breath is a problem that many people face. It can be caused by all types of things like eating strongly flavored foods, poor digestion, gum disease and all sorts of other things. But I am not here to tell you how it is caused, I am here to give you some really easy and inexpensive ways to control or completely eliminate bad breath. Chew up some raw or crystallized ginger. It will make your breath smell, oh so sweet. Careful, it’s a little strong, but totally worth it! Everyone knows that peppermint is the preferred breath mint and toothpaste … Continue reading

Bad Breath In Pets

It’s an all too common complaint: doggy breath or kitty breath! You go in for a cuddle with your furry friend and catch a whiff of breath that makes your nose want to run right off your face. What causes bad breath in pets? There isn’t any one cause. Perhaps the most common cause of death breath (or halitosis, if you want to use the technical term) is some kind of dental problem. Bacteria, food particles, and saliva can help form plaque on the teeth, which leads to bad breath. If not cleaned away, the plaque can develop into gingivitis … Continue reading

Bad Breath

We don’t talk about it in polite company. We chew gum, gargle mouthwash, and try burning strips of concentrated breath fresheners that melt on the tongue. Battling bad breath can feel like an endless struggle at times. What causes bad breath? More often than not, the problem starts if you aren’t brushing and flossing as well and as often as you should. Bacteria and food particles can build up in your mouth, causing odor as the bacteria works on the food. This bacterial buildup can lead to gum inflammation (gingivitis) or gum disease (periodontitis). Dry mouth can also be a … Continue reading

Make a Natural Mouthwash

Bad breath can be a side effect of the foods you eat or an early sign of illness. Poor dental hygiene can also be a cause of halitosis. Smoking and alcohol can also make your breath unpleasant. Don’t have time to brush your teeth or swish with mouthwash? You can chew on fresh parsley, peppermint, or spearmint leaves. Peppermint and spearmint are often very easy to grow in your garden; my grandfather had one plant that ended up taking over half the beds. Mixing up your own natural mouthwash is surprisingly easy! Some essential oils that are great in a … Continue reading

Dog Breath!

Over in the Pets section of the Families.com forums, we had a recent discussion about doggy breath. If you’ve ever had a dog, met a dog, or especially kissed a dog, you know that dog breath can be deadly! Dog breath doesn’t have to be awful, though. Sure, some dogs are just predisposed to halitosis. Some dogs have digestive problems that give them the stinkies. Some dogs eat things they shouldn’t. Whatever the reason, there are lots of products out there to help keep your pup’s breath minty fresh. If dirty teeth are the culprit, you can always brush them. … Continue reading

Top Ten Reasons Why Dieting Is Bad

I love lists. I am a huge fan of lists. As we count down the last few days of April and we get ready for the Sizzling Summer Slim Down to begin in may with the Abs Diet plan – I thought I would share a few lists with you. Here are the top ten reasons why dieting is bad: 1. Lowering calories may help you lose weight, but it also makes it harder for you to get your daily-recommended vitamins and proteins. 2. Dieting can cause your body to go into diet shock. 3. Some crash diets cause you … Continue reading