In a study that strengthens the link between chronic gum infection and cardiovascular problems, researchers said treatment of severe periodontal disease was associated with improved blood flow and more elasticity of arteries.

The study, conducted with patients at the Eastman Dental Hospital in London, England, included 120 people with severe periodontitis, a chronic bacterial infection that affects the gums and bone supporting the teeth.

Interestingly, the immediate result was an increase in inflammation among the patients who received intensive treatment for the gum condition. There was no such reaction among patients whose condition was treated less vigorously.

“However, six months after therapy, the benefits in oral health were associated with improvement in endothelial function,” the researchers reported.

The endothelium is the delicate inner lining of the blood vessels. The improvement was shown by expansion of blood vessels that allowed better blood flow and by molecular markers of endothelial health, the researchers said.

For example, the researchers reported that the arteries of those getting intensive treatment were 2 percent wider six months later than those getting ordinary treatment, an improvement they described as “significant.”

“The degree of improvement was associated with improvement in measures of periodontal disease,” the study said.

The findings are published in the March 1 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

“This study adds a lot to a growing database that there is some sort of link” between periodontal disease and cardiovascular risk, said Dr. Preston D. Miller Jr., president of the American Academy of Periodontology.

The study “increases the link between local inflammation and inflammation of the coronary vessels that is extremely important,” added Miller, clinical professor of dentistry at the University of Tennessee College of Dentistry.

The study findings call for more research to determine the effects of specific periodontal treatments on blood vessel function, he said.

But Dr. Daniel Meyer, associate executive director of the American Dental Association’s division of science, said there’s an important element missing in this and other studies of the effect of periodontal disease on cardiovascular problems.

“What it does not demonstrate is the relative importance of different risk factors. Implications of such things as diet, exercise and general health are not being factored into it,” Meyer said. “What it is looking at is one aspect of a very complex disease.”

It’s too early to know how important a role periodontal disease may play in the risk of heart attack, stroke and other cardiovascular conditions, Meyer said. “There are too many individual factors involved to say that it contributes a certain percentage of risk,” he said.

That lack of precision doesn’t mean people should neglect their dental health, Meyer said. “We would certainly advise people to floss, but not at the expense of other things that improve their health,” he said. “Someone who smokes, drinks and is obese should get their oral health taken care of, but should look at other health factors as well.”

Dr. Moise Desvarieux, associate professor of epidemiology at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, said, “This study adds significantly to the body of evidence linking periodontitis to vascular disease through a strong design and rigorous analysis.

“It convincingly demonstrates the potential for reversibility, since treating periodontal disease improved endothelial function,” he said.

As mentioned previously, halitosis is usually caused by a variety of minor factors such as diet and improper oral hygiene. In the large majority of cases bad breath can be traced to gases produced by bacteria in the mouth. Contributing factors include accumulation of food within pockets around the teeth, at the back of the tongue, or in small pockets in the tonsils. If debris continues to collect in these pockets, the result is gum disease (gingivitus).

A good herbal recipe is as follows–

• 2 parts white oak bark herb powder
• 1 part myrrh gum herb powder or granules
• 3/4 part Peppermint leaves converted to powder
• ½ part anise herb powder or seeds
• 1/8 part clove – powder

If herbs and leaves are not in powder form, grind them in a coffee grinder. Place the mixture into a small container. I usually use a small unused vitamin bottle. Use this once a week in place of toothpaste. Spit it out after brushing, but do not rinse. The remaining herbs are killing bacteria and can be swallowed.

Sloughed off skin cells from the mouth and diminished saliva flow can add to the smell. Mucus in the sinuses can also aid the growth of bacteria. Conditions are most favorable for odor production during the night and between meals.

There are occasions when chronic bad breath can be a sign of more severe health problems within your body. Diabetics, for instance, will often have chronic bad breath due to the high level of glucose, or sugar, in their blood stream. When the blood sugar level goes too high, this can be quite dangerous because the blood becomes acidic.

Keeping the blood sugar at lower levels, and preventing them from severe spikes can help alleviate the bad breath problems. This will also help resolve a myriad of other diabetes-related problems, and the blood sugar levels can often be controlled with dietary changes and the use of certain herbal supplements.

Another cause of chronic bad breath is liver problems. A poorly functioning or damaged liver can cause breath because when the liver is not functioning properly, the entire body suffers from excess toxins, wastes, and bacteria not being filtered out very well. There is also a rare form of liver failure known as Fetor hepaticus (breath of the dead) which can contribute to chronic halitosis also.

If bad breath is caused by liver problems, you’re probably experiencing various other health issues as well. Some indications of liver problems include constipation, acne, skin rashes, and skin eruptions or plaques known as psoriasis. Of course you should consult a physician, but liver problems can often be treated with a change in dietary habits, and there are many herbs which can help cleanse and tone the liver too.

Certain types of respiratory and bronchia infections can cause bad breath. Infections need to be treated before they turn into something more severe, and safe alternative remedies exist in the form of herbal antibiotics. Garlic is one of the most powerful for fighting infections, and Golden Seal is another. Echinacea is an excellent herb to use–specifically for glandular and lymphatic infections.

Metabolic dysfunction is another more serious health condition which can cause chronic bad breath. In addition to weight gain, moodiness, and fatigue, a depressed immune system makes you more susceptible to bacteria, germs and diseases.

Herbs which help boost your body’s metabolism include Kelp, which is high in natural iodine and helps regulate your thyroid. General herbs which are very high in vitamins and minerals are excellent resources for metabolic problems too, and these include herbs such as parsley and Alfalfa.

It goes without saying that proper oral hygiene is essential. You need to brush your teeth regularly, and be sure to floss well so you don’t have any food rotting between your teeth which will cause a smell. There are many herbal toothpastes and mouthwashes available. Don’t feel you have to have a toothpaste with fluoride. In fact, avoid fluoride as it is a toxin. If you’d like to try your hand at making your own toothpaste, here’s a recipe that should help your breath as well —

Minty Toothpaste:

• 6 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/3 teaspoon salt
• 4 teaspoons glycerin
• 15 drops peppermint or wintergreen extract

Directions: Mix thoroughly. Should be a tooth paste consistency. Store in a container. You’ll be surprised with how fresh your mouth feels.

If the cause of bad breath is simply strong-smelling foods such as garlic or onions, of course you can try to avoid those foods. However, if you love those foods, and don’t want to give them up, there are alternatives. After eating strong smelling foods, chew a piece of parsley or drink some green tea. Any herb which is high in chlorophyll will neutralize body odors, including gas, body odors, and bad breath.

There’s a huge choice of natural products that can help with halitosis. As mentioned, parsley is an excellent choice because it has the highest amount of chlorophyll of any green plant, so it works particularly well at neutralizing bad breath. Green tea works as well, because it’s usually made from plants which have a high chlorophyll content.

A recent study showed that chewing gum with zinc was effective in reducing bad breath. Lemon yet another natural way to neutralize mouth and breath odors, because it’s a mild natural antiseptic. Lemon will kill many of the germs which often cause the odors in the first place.

When you brush your teeth, be sure to also clean your tongue. If you examine your tongue at the end of the day, often you can see the buildup of bacteria. If you can see it, it’s definitely time to scrape your tongue. It’s not healthy to let the amount of flora in your mouth build up. If you’ve ever had dental surgery, you know dentists like to give antibiotics in case the bacteria in the mouth enters the bloodstream. Dentists know the bacteria in the mouth can be deadly.

Not all toothbrushes can clean the tongue properly. There are tongue cleaning tools that can be used instead. Be careful not to damage your tongue with scratches though, or the bacteria may cause infections. Research has demonstrated that the health of your mouth directly affects the health of your heart. Here’s a good recipe for mouthwash that kills bacteria–

Lemon Mouthwash:

• 3/4 cup vodka
• 20 drops lemon essential oil
• 1 1/4 cup distilled water
• 30 drops bergamot essential oil

Directions: Combine the vodka with the essential oils in a bottle, shake well then allow to sit for 1 week. Shake once a day. When ready to use it , dilute the mix with 3 parts water/ 1 part mixture. Use it as a gargle or mouth rinse. Do Not Drink.

It’s also important to know that candida yeast live and flourish in your mouth. If the yeast bacteria multiply unchecked, this can be a very common cause of chronic bad breath. When the amount of yeast bacteria are out of control, it morphs into infections such as oral thrush.

You can have too much yeast bacteria in your mouth without developing an infection though, and sometimes this problem is enhanced by eating simple sugars and starches. Yeast feeds off of sugars, and simple starch is converted to sugar almost immediately in your mouth too.

So over consumption of these food items can contribute to chronic bad breath problems, and one way to reduce the smell is to simply change your eating habits. Eating more fresh fruits and vegetables for instance, can help neutralize some of the excess sugar in your mouth and cut down on the population of candida yeast.

There are a wide variety of home, natural, and herbal remedies that work well for bad breath. If you have chronic bad breath, of course you should look into herbal and natural treatments to help treat any potential underlying problems. The wonderful thing about herbs is that they seem to know what part of the body needs help and act on it.

If chronic bad breath is caused by underlying illness such as diabetes or liver damage, you can still use natural and herbal remedies which specifically address those problems. By treating those problems, you’ll naturally treat the bad breath problems at the same time.

Halitosis, or bad breath, can be a harmless after effect of what you’ve eaten or a sign of underlying disease. There are many reasons for this condition, and it’s estimated that about 25 percent of Americans suffer from chronic bad breath problems. There are several simple, easy ways to relieve chronic bad breath, but there are also potential underlying medical problems that could be causing the problems too.

If you eat a lot of meat or high protein meals, you’re more likely to have bad breath than someone who eats a lot of vegetables. This is because food bits get stuck in your teeth as you eat, and those bits can start rotting over time. Proteins and meats have a much worse smell to them as they’re rotting.

Likewise, anyone who eats a very low carbohydrate diet will suffer from bad breath too. This is because as your body starts burning fat instead of carbs, ketones are released by the liver, and these have a specific smell to them. Many low carbohydrate dieters report having a metallic taste in their mouth when their bodies are burning the most fat. This process is known as ketosis, which is not harmful or dangerous.

Halitosis could indicate chronic bronchitis or sinusitis, postnasal drip, gastrointestinal illness, and liver or kidney disease. Diabetics can have a dangerous condition–ketoacidosis. Ketoacidosis is when the blood PH becomes dangerously acidic from having too much sugar in the blood stream. This condition can also cause bad breath, and diabetes is one of the more serious reasons people can have chronic bad breath problems.

For most people, bad breath is simply caused by the presence of germs and bacteria which live on the back of their tongue. Simple oral hygeine such as brushing your teeth regularly, cleaning your tongue, flossing well, and using antibacterial mouthwash can help.

Sometimes bad breath can be caused by a lack of saliva. When your mouth is dry, it can smell very badly. An easy remedy for bad breath caused by dryness is to simply drink plenty of water. In a pinch though, chewing sugar free gum or sucking on mints can help stimulate saliva production and reduce the bad breath odors.

The dry mouth cause is important to know about because many people use mouthwash which has alcohol in it. Alcohol can dry your mouth further, thus increasing the bad breath problems.

There are many herbs which can neutralize bad breath though. These include parsley or any other herb which is high in chlorophyll. Green tea will also do the trick, as will cinnamon, or fennel.

About ten years ago I went in for a dental checkup only to be hit with a double whammy. My bite had shifted and I needed braces, but first I needed to be treated for gum disease. Ouch. I thought I was taking pretty good care of my teeth, but apparently not. Since the traditional stuff from my local pharmacy didn’t seem to be working, I decided to look into herbal toothpastes.

What many people don’t know is that most brand-name toothpaste contains a number of ingredients that are not healthy for you or the environment. Bleach and peroxide are commonly used as whitening agents in commercial toothpastes. But both bleach and peroxide can be an irritant to the mouth and skin in small doses, and are considered to be hazardous materials because they can cause severe chemical burns in large doses, so why take that chance?

Artificial flavorings and scents are commonly made from synthetic chemicals derived from petrochemicals or coal tar. Manufacturers argue that artificial flavors are safer than natural flavors because their composition is standardized and regulated. But do you really think that consuming anything made from crude oil is safe for you and your family?

Commercial toothpaste ingredients also affect the environment. EDTA (ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid) and formaldehyde are commonly used a preservatives in toothpaste, and many other cosmetics and personal care products. They are known environmental pollutants.

Triclosan is used in toothpaste for bacteria and tartar control. The problem is that it can combine with other materials to create dioxins, which are dangerous pollutants.

There are so many natural ingredients that do the same job as the synthetics that there’s really no reason not to use the healthier alternatives. For example, look for toothpastes that use natural flavors and scents like cinnamon, peppermint and orange. Or if you are sensitive to smells, choose a product that uses no scents at all.

If you want a toothpaste that whitens, look for silica. It’s a naturally occurring component of sand and can be used to polish and whiten teeth. Zinc is a natural mineral that can be used instead of triclosan to fight tarter.

I’ve been cavity and gum disease free for 10 years. I use a Braun toothbrush along with Parodontax toothpaste and hydrogen peroxide for a mouthwash. The electric toothbrushes are far better than the manual kind. You just can’t replicate that with a manual brush. The particular model I favor has a double brush and gives you a great gum massage as well as getting under the gum line.

Now about Parodontax — it’s not for the faint of heart. It’s bitter, salty, and a little like soft grains of sand. A great recommendation, right? Well, I figured it has saved me hundreds in dental bills over the years. After I got the braces off, my teeth felt horrible — lots of glue residue. Parodontax was the only toothpaste to get them feeling smooth again.

Ayurveda offers some great herbs that will promote gum circulation. I’ve used two kinds of Auromere toothpastes — licorice and mint. I was attracted to the brand because it uses Neem which legendary for its amazing healing properties. No fluoride, and packs about a dozen or more herbs into each tube. The base is soft chalk.

Not everything that’s good for you has to taste good. None of the toothpastes mentioned here taste anything like the major commercial brands. They’re not sweet or gel like. Some of them have a chalk base, some use bitter tasting herbs. But if you’ve been doing the traditional stuff without getting good results, why not give herbal toothpaste a try?