Mouth odour, what you need to know

Dear Doctor, Please don’t take me public because I am a very emotional and shy person.

I  have had this problem for many years   and  no matter what I have tried, success  has refused to attend my efforts. I avoid getting  too close to any one unless it is absolutely necessary , and that includes  my husband , because when I open my mouth it smells like all the dust bins in the country put together. What can I do to get a permanent solution ?

Ans: First you should be reassured that your confidentiality is preserved ;your name and address will never be published.

There is no magic wand. Begin by going to a good hospital or diagnostic center  for detailed oral and maxillofacial examination . You should then proceed to submit your self for endoscopy exam to have  video captures of the  gastrointestinal tract  and  the many spaces in the throat where silent and  chronic infections can  cause this type of problem. If there are  underlying conditions, they should be addressed and treated, before any other issues.

Assuming all is well , the next thing to do is to work religiously towards life style behavior change: stop smoking and drinking alcohol  if you do, and stop  eating   combinations of food items as in  eating  a meal of rice, beans, plantain and egg, all  in one combination.

Your  new diet  should now assume the following shape;

Plenty of fibers, as obtained in fruits, vegetables and oats.

There should be less protein , oils, fats  and carbohydrates in the diet.

Drink plenty of water first thing in the morning and last thing at night. In between meals,  also take plenty of water(not soda),

You must ensure that after 6pm, you do not eat anything outside fruits; not even vegetables.

Next is to   re-examine  the way you take care of your mouth

The mouth is a very dynamic biological factory and has different component parts that must be thoroughly cleaned for it to have a pleasant appearance and odor.   Fairly large food particles usually get retained between the teeth, between teeth and gums ,and between gums and supporting muscles of the mouth. On the other hand, digested and partly digested food tend to  stick to different parts of the tongue particularly the portion opposite the roof of the mouth . The Tongue is the organ mostly ignored each time the mouth is cleaned,  but most cases of bad mouth odor come from deposits of food on the tongue .

 Mouth cleaning should begin with  ensuring that you get a good type of brush and enough clean water. The choice of tooth paste and brush  should be age appropriate.  Brushing  should begin with  the teeth, in a front to back fashion, and not side to side or as directed by your dentist. Creating wounds  in the tongue and gum every time you brush will on it’s own invite pathogenic bacteria and  cause bad mouth odour  When you have formed enough foam in the oral cavity with the  tooth paste,  concentrate on  the  tongue ; spend time to brush out debris from  it’s surface , paying attention to the back(posterior) part of it. As much as possible, all food particles and remnants,  as well as  sticky plugs of mucus should be cleared from the oropharyngeal region,   around the  tickly roof of the mouth .  Brush as often as possible and on waking up from sleep. It doesn’t matter if sleep was deep or shallow, brief or long..

There are other things you can do . Moderate type exercise; the type you can comfortably do three times in a week for as long as you remain strong  has been found to be helpful ,particularly when you go out in the open.

Drug treatment/medication

There are many preparations  ranging  from  tablets, pessaries, suppositories  to mouth sprays and lotions. Vegelax remains  the best ;  the smaller the transit  time of food  in the system, the cleaner  and healthier you are . When we were growing up, Grand Mom  would always have some  concoction ready for every one  of us on Saturday morning ,with the  advice that the worst the taste of the preparation, the better it works. So choose wisely.

Treatment of chronic conditions usually require patience.  So be patient and adhere strictly to the fruits and vegetable bit of the whole thing. Good luck .

On body odour

Dear Doctor, My wife and I are in our early 50s and have enjoyed a very  happy married life.  We are both working in government but my wife is very active doing God’s work and her business . Lately I have observed that no matter how many times she goes in to shower,  a pungent odor  comes out  from all over her. Is this what I will have to put up with for the rest of our lives together and is it  going to get worse?  Can I tell her about it?

Ans :In fact, a characteristic odour of some sort is normal with  the ageing  process, and so may be normal , but not around the age of 50 . Do talk to her about it ,and if  considered  needful, see your personal physician .

Case of angina pectoris

Dear Doctor, I have been battling with chest pain for some time now.  I have undergone  several  tests and Doctors have diagnosed that what I have is Angina chest pain. I have not seen any improvement in my condition after many months of treatment. I am seriously considering  alternative medicine and will be grateful for your advice.

Ans:  While not  in any way  underrating the efficacy of herbal medicine in the treatment of various conditions,  it will be unwise to  ask someone who has already  taken the correct action or decision  on the road to health to  turn back.  As was stated in the article on ‘sudden cardiac death’, there is  usually no time for diagnosis to be made before  disaster strikes; most cases being discovered at autopsy. A lot therefore depends on  individuals  who by reason of race, sex, gender or  life style  are at risk  of becoming victims doing what ever they can to stay  alive, and hence we discussed a few of the hints that have been found helpful. Awareness is very important  with regards to such issues as life style; smoking,  abuse of alcohol, diet, exercise, presence or absence of other disease conditions such as obesity, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, high blood levels of cholesterol and other lipids. You are indeed lucky  to  be alive , and you probably can educate others.

 If indeed you have the  symptom complex of typical  angina pectoris  which  include pain directly under the breast bone,  that worsens when you become stressed or try to  do something  fairly physically demanding but responds very well   by disappearing almost immediately when you  rest and relax , then you must never take the risk of leaving your current  team of professional care providers. The  nature of physical examination required and types of  laboratory tests  are  sophisticated , detailed and require specialist training  so as to differentiate between the different forms of angina and  do only that which is right, in accordance with evidence based medical practice.

Blood stained vaginal discharge and fibroid

Dear Doctor ,  I simply want to know what I should do now; I am 46, married with 3 kids. I have  had abnormal vaginal discharge  even before  I saw my first menstrual  flow, but throughout the periods I was having my babies, the discharge was never smelly and except for occasional   episodes of spotting which the Doctors said  I was not to worry, there were no major issues.   I was diagnosed to have fibroid five years ago, but my Gynae  said it was too small to be operated.   Currently I have very offensive vaginal discharge though my menses have not been regular, and comes with brownish grainy drops of blood.  Unlike before , I now have dysmenorrheal offensive flow and then when I am not menstruating, very offensive blood stained  vaginal discharge  at times with  abdominal pain.  I was asked to do pap smear and pelvic scan. Apart from the fibroid , no other serious problem  was found and my Gyne says I should not worry, but I am seriously concerned with what is coming out of my body. Could this be cancer?

Ans:  My humble  suggestion is  that you should without further delay  ask for copies of all your laboratory investigations and quietly go seek a second or even third opinion.  If possible , go to the Teaching Hospital  in your city.  Try  bear the stress of passing through the painful processes of registration and all rest, but you will come out gratified.  With your age and  having completed your family, they may probably suggest you sign for them to have that womb removed, because it may as a result of the fibroid have begun to undergo changes that may put your life in serious danger.  You also need to know that, as you get older with that fibroid,  the chances of surviving a surgical operation to shell out the fibroid or remove the womb with it’s  fibroid become slimmer. So you need to act fast.  This is with utmost respect and regards for  the opinion of your Gynecologist who certainly  has  your history and knows you better