Press Release

For Immediate Release

PRE-VALENTINE’S DAY BAD BREATH CHECK IMPROVES CHANCE FOR ROMANCE

Control The Bacteria Thriving on the Tongue That Cause Bad Breath Says NY Dentist

New York, NY, January 11, 2007—With Valentine’s Day approaching, now’s the time to do a bad breath check to ensure your “kissability,” advises a Manhattan dentist.

“More than 85 percent of all Americans suffer from bad breath at some point,” says Dr. Terry Gotthelf, a dentist with a midtown Manhattan practice. “There are steps that everyone should take to maintain good oral hygiene and prevent chronic bad breath that usually occurs from three oral sources: cavities, gum disease, and coatings on the tongue,” says Dr. Gotthelf. Medical conditions such as esophageal reflux and hiatal hernia can also cause bad breath.

“Some of us try to eliminate bad breath by using breath mints. These don’t work, because they don’t address the source of the problem: bacterial by-products called volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds create the odor that most of us associate with halitosis,” she points out. “Many of us keep our teeth and gums clean by brushing and flossing after meals, but few people realize that the tongue has to be cleaned daily as well. The tongue has papillae and grooves that provide ideal places for bacteria to hide and multiply.” To eliminate most sources of oral odor and to maintain healthy teeth and gums, Dr. Gotthelf recommends flossing between the teeth and brushing with a soft toothbrush in order to clean under the gums and still avoid gum damage. Regular dental examinations will allow early detection of decay and gum disease before they become severe enough to cause bad breath.

“Unhealthy teeth and gums are very unattractive, and if you have periodontal disease, your gums may be puffy, red, bleeding, or have pus under them. Large spaces may form between the tooth and gum,” says Dr. Gotthelf, who recommends seeking professional help if these signs appear. “Others may unconsciously avoid close contact when these signs are visible, which is not good for romance.”

The surface of the tongue is much stronger than gum tissue, so a soft toothbrush, the correct tool to use on your teeth, won’t do the job on your tongue, warns Dr. Gotthelf. Specially designed tongue cleaners, such as the “oolit,” are firm enough to clean the irregular surface of the tongue, yet narrow and flexible enough to reach far back on the tongue, where odor-causing bacteria tend to accumulate, she advises.

According to Dr. Gotthelf, the most common times when bad breath occurs are in the morning before brushing, if a long time passes between meals, and when taking medication that dries out the mouth. “These are all instances of diminished salivary flow. Saliva has antibacterial properties that help limit halitosis, tooth decay and gum disease,” says Dr. Gotthelf.

She suggests other ways to combat bad breath:

• Snack on fibrous foods like citrus fruits, parsley, or fennel seeds. This will stimulate salivary flow without providing the oral bacteria with the nutrients (sugar) they need to metabolize. “That’s why breath mints don’t work.While they stimulate salivary flow and add a fragrance to the air, they also feed the very bacteria causing the problem.”
  

• Use non-toxic, all natural breath freshening products containing chlorine dioxide, such as Oxyfresh toothpaste and mouth rinse.
  

• In cases of a severe bad breath problem, see your dentist for halitosis therapy, a deep cleaning of the hard to reach parts of your tongue.

“Otherwise your prospective Valentine will respond with a great big ‘Ugh!!’ instead of an enthusiastic smooch,” Dr. Gotthelf says.

Dr. Gotthelf received a DDS from the New York University College of Dentistry. She also holds an MS in Psychobiology from the University of Pittsburgh and a BA in psychology and philosophy from Barnard College. She completed a General Practice Residency at the Medical College of Pennsylvania and she earned a Certificate in Surgical and Prosthetic Implantology at the NYU College of Dentistry. Her practice is located at 19 West 34 Street in Manhattan and she can be reached at 212 564-6686.

Contact:

Dr. Terry Gotthelf, DDS
212-564-6686

Idan Sims
Sims & Associates, Inc.
212-725-3838
917 940-7876

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