No one likes having bad breath (halitosis) or smelling it on someone else.  Halitosis comes from the Latin word “halitus,” meaning breath.  As you probably know by now, if we do not care for our teeth and gums properly, bacteria will grow and cause problems like tooth decay.

Finding the correct bad breath/halitosis cure for you may not be easy, because there are a plethora of causes that need different solutions.   There are a variety of causes…everything from rotten food inside the mouth, lung abscess during bronchitis, poor digestion, and other medical conditions. 

Saliva is the body’s natural defense against dry mouth and oral malodor.  Saliva helps balance the good and bad bacterias by getting rid of food debris and other unwanted objects that can create foul-smelling compounds.  Saliva is the easiest cure to bad breath.  Morning breath is usually caused by the low production of saliva, so eating breakfast is important to get the salivary glands working in the morning. 

Also, there are many foods (onions, coffee, and garlic) and excessive spices that can cause bad breath.  Some of these edibles can take up to 72 hours after digestion before one can smell them on someone’s breath.

Here are some common pointers to avoid halitosis:

• Brushing regularly
• Flossing/using mouthwash
• Getting a dental checkup at least 2X/year
• Chewing sugar-free gum to moisten the mouth
• Eating fresh/fibrous vegetables
• Drinking lots of water and other fluids (excluding sugar-added drinks)
• Avoiding alcoholic beverages
• Trying natural remedies like green cardamom, baking soda, and parsley/mint garnishes.

Good luck!

Various reports from Examiner and World News have recently declared that Jennifer Aniston has bad coffee breath!  There were pictures of her kissing Jason Bateman released from their filming for a scene from their upcoming movie, The Baster.   Behind the scenes, there apparently was some drama because Jason stopped the kissing scene so that Jennifer would have a mint. 

Also, an older report from US Magazine states that Alec Baldwin joked that kissing Jennifer was “painful” because of her coffee breath.  He stated “every man who’s had to make out with her in TV and movies - I don’t know how they do it,” after kissing her for 0 Rock.

According to Pop Crunch, Posh Spice (Victoria Beckham) has been apprehensive about kissing her husband, David Beckham, because his bad breath turns her stomach.  Yes, even soccer star David Beckham has a flaw!

Apparently Star Magazine has found out that David started a new regimen of swallowing fish oil pills every day, and his friends have been complaining about the smell as well.  He takes two Go3 pills, full of fish oil, because he is the spokesperson for the company.  His picture even appears on the box, so he is obligated to take them despite how bad his breath becomes. 

All in all, fish oil definitely has its benefits, but don’t be surprised if people start handing you breath mints left and right if you start taking them.

Hopefully you won’t need brain surgery anytime soon, but if you know someone who does, it would be a good idea for him or her to go to the dentist beforehand to prevent issues like pneumonia.

After a major operation (especially brain surgery), the elderly generation runs a 20% risk of getting pneumonia.  This is because brain surgery weaknes the gag and coughing reflexes, thus making it easier for patients to breath in bacteria from their mouth and nose.

A research study done among 23 people has found that proper oral hygiene before a surgery makes a difference.  There were five people who developed pneumonia within 48 hours of their operation, and each of them had poor oral health, like gingivitis, prior to the surgery.  It is estimated that the risk of infection after surgery in those with poor oral health is increased by at least threefold. 

Source: New Scientist

Thus far, our posts have mentioned dogs and cats having bad breath…but never have we discussed bad bird breath.  As someone who is a bird owner and avid bird fan, I thought it was necessary.  Birds can have bad breath!

If a bird has bad breath, that is almost always the sign of a bacteria infection, and it needs to see an avian veterinarian.  Generally, foul breath in our avian friends means that there is some abnormality in the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory tract, or even with the oropharynx. 

If a bird has vitamin-A deficiency, it may be more susceptible to bacterial or yeast infections like Candida sp.  Infections like these can cause halitosis.  Also, a bird’s diet can affect its breath–so don’t give it rotten food/seed.

The bacteria that normally resides in the gastrointestinal tract (like the colon of mammals) are known as coliform bacteria.  Coliform bacteria and other bacteria are accompanied with a fecal-type odor.  If a bird is infected with one type of these bacteria, its breath (if the mouth, crop, or proventriculus has the infection) or its droppings (if the lower gastrointestinal tract has the infection) can develop a strong fecal odor.

Where Do These Bacteria Come From?

People use fertilizer frequently when growing fruits and vegetables, and this is a strong bacterial source.  Soil can also be contaminated with fecal material.  Fruits and vegetables need to be washed properly before a bird eats them, because the bird can ingest the bacteria.

Also, if a bird is in the bathroom when the toilet is flushed, the coliform bacteria can become aerosolized and breathed in by the bird.  Also, bird owners need to wash their hands after using the bathroom before handling their bird. 

Avian Gastric Yeast (AGY, formerly known as megabacteria) can be found in middle of the proventriculus and ventriculus and may also be found in other places of the gastrointestinal tract.  Unfortunately, this is hard to track in live birds, and it can be the cause of bad breath.  An ulcer in the crop, proventriculus or ventriculus that has been contaminated by bacteria can also cause bad breath.

Other Bad Breath Causes

Other gastrointestinal issues can cause halitosis, like Proventricular Dilatation Disease (PDD).  Spirochetes, an unusual type of organism, might cause halitosis, especially in lovebirds.  Both benign and malignant tumors in the gastrointestinal tract can also cause bad breath, especially if they erode or cause ulceration into the GI tract.  These can be diagnosed by a combination of blood work, X-rays, endoscopy, or ultrasound.  Within the GI tract, protozoal infections (i.e. trichomoniasis in the oropharynx, giardia) can be hard to diagnose and may cause bad breath.  Most protozoal infections can be treated with ronidazole. 

Treatment Plan

According to many avian vets, vinegar can by used to help acidify the interior of the proventriculus and ventriculus as well as treat many diseases, mostly in the GI tract.

If your bird has bad breath and any other symptoms, bring it to a vet and have a physical exam and work-up done.  These include: complete blood count; plasma chemistry panel; Gram’s stains of the choana, crop, and cloaca; bacterial and fungal cultures; appropriate serological tests; full-body X-rays and maybe an endoscopy.

Depending on what your avian veterinarian tells you, you can suggest a consultation with a board-certified avian specialist (some veterinary labs will offer this).  If your vet is not experienced enough, you can have them refer you to a referral center or avian specialist. 

Unlike pet mammals and humans, birds do not have teeth (aside from the single egg tooth that is not made of the structures in a mammalian tooth), meaning that the cause of bad breath in birds cannot be attributed to dental and gum disease (usually caused by a bacteria infection).  However, bacterial infections concerning the bird’s gastrointestinal tract or lungs can cause bad breath and impact its health. 

Source: Bird Channel

Most of us have smelled dog halitosis (bad breath) at one time or another.  It is the result of the foul odor-producing bacteria buildup in a dog’s lungs, gut, or mouth.  Chronic halitosis in a dog can indicate that it needs better dental care or there is a serious issue in its gastrointestinal tract, kidneys, or liver. 

Dog Breath Causes

The more common serious issues are gum (periodontal) or dental disease, and generally the smaller a dog is, the more vulnerable it is to tartar and plague.  There are more serious issues that are possible, but less common, which include more extreme medical problems in the mouth, gastrointestinal tract, organs, or respiratory system. 

Diagnosing Dog Breath

One should normally bring his or her pet to the veterinarian to diagnose the reason behind the chronic bad breath.  A vet can do a physical eam and laboratory work to pinpoint the problem.  Come prepared with information on your dog’s diet, exercise routine, and behavioral habits. 

When Should I Take My Dog To The Vet?

As soon as your dog’s breath has an unusual smell, bring it to the vet.  Here are some symptoms:

1.  Unusually fruity/sweet breath can signify diabetes, especially if the dog has been drinking fluids and urinating more than usual.
2.  Dog breath that smells like urine can mean kidney disease.
3.  Bad breath along with vomiting, lack of appetite, and yellow-tinged corneas and/or gums can signify a liver problem.

Dog Breath Cure

Obviously, treatment depends on the cause of dog breath.  If plaque is the cause, the dog may need a professional dental cleaning.  If diet is the cause, then you should change what your dog is eating.  If the cause of bad breath is related to gastrointestinal, liver, kidney, or lung issues, the vet should know the best route to take.

Prevent Dog Breath

Just because a dog is older does not mean that it is normal to have bad breath.  Always take action and provide the best care that you can for your pet, as a method of prevention.  Here are some good things to do:

1.  Bring the dog in for regular checkups at the vet to make sure it has no underlying medical issues.
2.  Have the vet monitor the condition of the dog’s teeth and breath.
3.  Provide the dog with a high-quality and easily digestible diet.
4.  Brush the dog’s teeth everyday if possible–or as frequently as you can if you cannot everyday.  Be sure to brush with a toothpaste made for dog’s, since toothpaste for human’s can cause digestive problems in canines.
5.  Provide safe chew toys that encourage the natural process of chewing and teeth cleaning.
6.  Research dog treats that help with breath odor.
7.  Research dog oral health products to use at home and discuss them with your vet.

Keep in mind that products designed to mask bad breath may not fix the cause of it.  Also, most of these ideas discussed can also be used for cats.