The term Halitosis was invented by Listerine. People may not know this next fact, but the Listerine company coined the term halitosis. In 1895, “Listerine was marketed to dentists after studies showed that it was also good for killing germs found in the mouth,” the Listerine website explains. The website states that in 1914, Listerine was the first prescription product sold over the counter that could kill oral germs. Unfortunately for Listerine, sales of their product were not doing well in stores. However, in the 1920s, “Listerine coins the term ‘halitosis’ to describe bad breath and sales take off,” the Listerine website adds.
Chronic bad breath or ‘halitosis’ can still affect people, but it is not usually a permanent problem for many. By visiting a dentist for a cleaning, the dentist will be able to find what is causing the bad breath and help treat it.
Morning Breath/bad breath is inevitable. There is a difference between having bad breath and having chronic bad breath. Eating certain foods or poor dental hygiene can lead to bad breath, but will not cause chronic bad breath right away. In fact, morning breath is a natural part of the day for most. The treatment for bad breath involves constant dental care, cleaning the teeth, using mouthwash and visiting a dentist on a regular basis. If the condition is extreme enough, a dentist may be the only person able to spot the exact cause and offer treatment.
The Original ‘Toothbrush’ Was a Stick. The first toothbrushes were mere “chew sticks,” thin frayed twigs used to rub plaque and food residue off and from between teeth. Twisting and rubbing these sticks against their teeth, this was a small advancement from the previous method of using plants, feathers, or anything else to rub and clean the teeth. Some chew sticks were made from fragrant wood, used to freshen the breath. Early evidence of chew sticks has been traced back to Babylon, Egypt, and China.
Flossing helps fight cavities and bad breath. Because flossing removes plaque and food debris, it is helping you to both keep your teeth and gums healthy as well as your breath fresh! The acid in plaque is what bores into teeth causing them to decay but flossing helps to eradicate this issue. Additionally, food particles that linger in your mouth impact how your breath smells, both from the scent of the food itself and the smell it makes while it breaks down. Flossing helps to clear out these unpleasant odors.