5 common bad breath myths

MYTH 1:
It's Easy For People to Tell if Their Own Breath Smells
Many believe they can smell their own breath odor by cupping their hands between their mouth and nose. Unfortunately, we can not tell if our breath smells because we become accustomed to our own odors.Additionally, in many cases, we do not produce bad breath until we talk. This is because bad breath often originates near the back of the mouth and is propelled forward and out of the mouth only when we speak.
How can we tell if our breath smells ? One of the best ways is to have a trusted friend or loved one smell it for you. If you don't want to do this, wipe near the middle of your tongue with a cotton ball or gauze pad. Then smell the cotton ball or gauze pad for odor.A more accurate assessment of bad breath can be performed by a dentist using a device called a halimeter. The patient blows into a straw like tube attached to the halimeter and the machine measures the amount of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) in the breath. These volatile sulfur compounds are what give breath its bad smell.

MYTH 2:
Bad Breath Comes From the StomachA common misperception is that bad breath arises from the stomach. While an extremely small percentage of bad breath problems may be due to stomach and digestive problems, the overwhelming majority of bad breath arises from the back of the mouth. Here bacteria feed on mucus and food particles creating odorous sulfur compounds.

MYTH 3:
Good Dental Hygiene (Tooth Brushing and Flossing) Will Always Eliminate Bad Breath
Good dental hygiene (brushing and flossing) helps eliminate bad breath. Unfortunately, most people do not properly brush their teeth.It takes nearly three minutes to completely brush all tooth surfaces yet most people spend only 30 to 45 seconds brushing their teeth. Consequently, they consistently miss tooth surfaces where bacteria are allowed to proliferate and create odorous volatile sulfur compounds.People can brush and floss properly, however, and still be unsuccessful at eliminating bad breath. The problem is that odor causing bacteria often hide deep within the crevices of the tongue under a protective layer of mucus and proteins. Cleaning the tongue with a tongue cleaner (also called a tongue scraper) can remove this layer of mucus and proteins exposing bacteria and freshening breath.

MYTH 4:
Mouthwashes Are Effective in Treating Bad Breath People believe mouthwashes can treat bad breath. Unfortunately, most conventional mouthwashes only temporarily mask bad breath and are relatively useless at treating bad breath.
In fact, most conventional mouthwashes can actually contribute to bad breath formation. This is because mouthwashes contain a high percentage of alcohol which tends to dry out the mouth. Bacteria responsible for creating bad breath grow much better in drier mouths.A new breed of mouthwashes, however, are very effective in treating bad breath. These mouthwashes contain chlorine dioxide which actually attacks the volatile sulfur compounds on the molecular level.

MYTH 5:
To Prevent Bad Breath We Should Focus on the Foods We Eat
It is true that temporary bad breath comes from the foods we eat. Many foods like onions and cabbage contain high amounts of sulfur compounds. When these foods are digested the sulfur compounds are absorbed into the blood stream and carried to the lungs. Here the sulfur compounds are exhaled as we breathe causing our breath to smell.Chronic bad breath , however, is not caused by the foods we eat. Instead, chronic bad breath results when bacteria in the mouth break down left over food particles creating odorous sulfur particles. The primary goal in this case is not a change in diet but a reduction in the number of odor causing bacteria in the mouth. This can be done with proper brushing, flossing, and cleaning of the tongue with a tongue cleaner (tongue scraper).

Your Tongue: A Bad Breath Incubator

Surprisingly, it may be your tongue that's causing embarrassing bad breath. People go through great effort to produce a sparkling set of teeth, but they ignore the large organ in between (the tongue) which is literally crawling with odor producing germs.

Bacteria responsible for bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth decay are removed from teeth and gums by normal brushing and flossing. For smart bacteria, however, the tongue provides a perfect hiding place.

Here bacteria live in a virtual compost heap of saliva, protein, and putrefied food remains. Unfortunately for us, bacteria feast on this compost to produce the volatile sulfur particles responsible for foul breath.

Steps to become Sexy and Confident

Empower YourselfYou are greater being than you probably think you are. Take some time to assess your strong points, your skills and abilities and multiply them by 100! You are always your own worst critic so give yourself some credit- you are awesome!

Walk this Way
Take a day to examine the way that you walk. Do you take small, shuffling steps or fling your arms around when you walk? Well if you do, it’s time for some Vitamin C, and I don’t mean the Vitamin C you find in your morning orange juice! It’s time for a burst of Confidence! You may be doing something sub-consciously that does not really compliment your style so now its time to be aware of how you walk. Be quick and energetic with a spring in your step.

The Smile behind the Eyes
Smile as often as you can and, if you can manage, let a tiny smile hang around the corners of your mouth. In all your interactions, look people in the eye, greet them and smile. You'll see the other person transform in front of you.

Be Empathic
Your confidence levels rise drastically when you successfully connect with people around you. You need to be empathic towards your family, friends and colleagues. Once you are able to help other people with their emotions and problems, you immediately increase your influence with your circle of friends, acquaintances and colleagues.

Knowledge is Power
Knowledge almost always boosts self-confidence. Bikini Models not only empower themselves with knowledge of their immediate surroundings but of the world around them. A good grasp of current events will make you sounds worldly and helps you strike up meaningful conversations.

Benefits of Body Massage

Touch is a very important part of human contact. It helps us feel connected and loved by those around us.
Massage uses touch through rubbing or kneading of parts of the body to aid circulation, relax the muscles, or provide sensual stimulation.

Massage is one of the oldest, simplest forms of therapy.
The basic goal of massage therapy is to help the body heal itself and to increase health and well-being.

There are many health benefits to receiving massage therapy on a regular basis:

Relieves stress
Encourages relaxation
Improves circulation
Improves posture
Lowers blood pressure
Helps manage pain
Relaxes muscles
Improves flexibility
Improves breathing
Relieves tension headaches
Strengthens immune system
Decreases depression
A good massage is an exhilarating experience.

Nail care tips

No nail care product alone can give you healthy nails. But following these simple guidelines can help you keep your nails looking their best:

1.Don't abuse your nails. To prevent nail damage, don't use your fingernails as tools to pick, poke or pry things.

2.Don't bite your nails or pick at your cuticles. These habits can damage the nail bed. Even a minor cut alongside your nail can allow bacteria or fungi to enter and cause an infection (paronychia). Because your nails grow slowly, an injured nail retains signs of an injury for several months.

3.Protect your nails. Wear cotton-lined rubber gloves when using soap and water for prolonged periods or when using harsh chemicals.

4.Perform routine nail maintenance. Trim fingernails and clean under the nails regularly. Use a sharp manicure scissors or clippers and an emery board to smooth nail edges. Never pull off hangnails — doing so almost always results in ripping living tissue. Instead clip hangnails off, leaving a slight angle outward.

5.Moisturize your nails frequently. Nails need moisture just like your skin does. Rub lotion into your nails when moisturizing your hands. Be sure to apply a moisturizer after removing fingernail polish.

Benefits of Apple

We all know that old adage about an apple a day keeping the doctor away, but did you know that apples are fabulous for beautifying our complexions? They are! The alpha-hydroxy fruit acids in apples are the greatest for sloughing off old tired skin so the fresh skin underneath can be revealed, and their pectin firms and tightens saggy skin–as well as healing inflammations and smoothing fine wrinkles.

Apples are mentioned in ancient literature as magical fruits sacred to many goddesses. Now it’s autumn and the apples are round and ripe, ready to be picked so you can be a Goddess of Beauty with their help. Find out apples’ secrets here–and learn why they’re also great for your teeth and breath!

For Teeth and Breath
The pectin in apples helps to neutralize food odors, so the next time you have garlic or onions, have an apple for dessert! The fibers also serve as a natural dental floss.

Honey of an Apple Glow Mask
This one really wakes up a dull complexion and it’s fun, too! This formula combines the magical apple with sweet honey, a great humectant–meaning it will bring moisture to your skin.

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cored apple
2 tablespoons honey
1/2 teaspoon dried sage

Pulse ingredients in a food processor, combining well. Refrigerate for at least 10 minutes. Apply this mixture to a clean face. With your fingertips, begin gently patting your face. Continue until the mixture feels very, very sticky–this will bring the blood to the surface of your skin, making it glow. Rinse with warm water.

To Reduce Wrinkles and Inflammation
Grate an unripe apple and apply to clean skin to heal and improve the appearance of fine wrinkles or inflammation. Allow pulp to remain on skin for 10 to 20 minutes before rinsing with warm water.

Oily Skin/Acne Healing Mask
Mix equal parts grated raw apple (or unsweetened applesauce) and honey. Apply mixture to a clean face and allow to remain on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse with cool water.

To Reduce Eye Puffiness
Mix 2 tablespoons unsweetened applesauce with one small grated raw potato. Lie down and apply to eyes, covering with a warm damp washcloth, if desired. Allow to remain on for 10 to 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

Autumn Magic Facial Mask
This formula soothes and nourishes skin and nerves, and provides gentle exfoliating action.

INGREDIENTS

1/4 cored apple, peeled and grated
1 tablespoon rolled oats
1 teaspoon cream
1 teaspoon honey

Combine all ingredients thoroughly. Apply to clean face, massaging gently, and allow mixture to remain on skin for 10 minutes. Rinse with warm water.

Yummy Food for Great Skin

BERRIES: berries have more protective plant antioxidants than almost any other food. These compounds of berries not only lower your disease risks, they help prevent memory loss.

SALMON: salmon is a a small fish and is the most significant source of omega-3s, the healthy fats that fend off heart disease and may more important nutrients. Just 3 ounces of the fish serves up 170% of your daily vitamin B12 and more than 80% of your D. So don’t miss on salmons now.

WHOLE GRAINS: Whole grains have up to 96 percent more fiber, magnesium, zinc, chromium and vitamins E and B6 than refined grains. This nutritional powerhouse helps prevent the same health problems that refined grains help cause: heart disease, cancer, diabetes, hypertension and even obesity.

YOGURT: Low- or no-fat plain yogurt is one of the best source of B vitamins, protein, calcium and –if it has active cultures–the healthy bacteria known as probiotics, which crowd out disease-causing germs. Don’t forget to take your daily yogurt does then.