HALICHECK And Bad Breath Detection
My protocol uses Gas Chromography (similar to that used by CSI investigators), and allows me to measure halitosis gases coming from the mouth and throat. This is a unique approach not used by anyone else in the world. Many years of research has shown me that certain bad breath bacteria will live in special parts of the mouth. We cannot see these bacteria, and culturing and pathology is an expensive exercise not covered by dental health funds.
Measuring Halitosis gases, allows us to use scientific research to say if you are high in a particular gas, then Bacteria X is the most likely cause of the gas, and Bacteria X likes to live in this part of the mouth. So we use reverse investigation to determine what part of your mouth or throat the bacteria are living in.
"Once we know where the bacteria live in the mouth, we can determine why they have overgrown and how best to balance the mouth"
Let's Look At A Halicheck Case
If the Halicheck Oral Chromograph determines you are high in Methyl Mercaptan Gas (which smells of faeces) then we know from scientific research that the bacteria (Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythensis, Porphyromonas endodontalis and Eubacterium Species) all produce this gas. Research has shown us that these three bacteria live in periodontal pockets and cause gum disease. They can also live on the very back of the tongue surface at the "gag" reflex.
Where Do These Bacteria Live
Normally they are on the very back of the tongue at the gag reflex, or if you have gingivitis or periodontitis then they can live under the gums as well.
Gingivitis means swollen gums and almost all of the population will have some form of it due to quick cleaning we give our teeth every morning and occasionally at night that does not flush bacteria from the gums properly.
Periodontitis is more severe and means swollen gums with bone loss. This is what happens when you have gingivitis for a long period of time. So it is the progression of the disease. Periodontitis affects mainly 35years of age and on. Recent research shows that almost 80% of the population over 50 years old will have some periodontitis in their mouth.
So we know that if you are not able to properly clean the gag reflex of your tongue, or if your gums bleed when cleaned or flossed, or the floss smells then these are very clear defined signs of Bacterial Imbalance due to inadequate cleaning and gingivitis or periodontitis
We Then Confirm Our Diagnosis With A Clinical Exam
By looking at the tongue and gag reflex we can see if there is a coating that is more than 12 hours old. After 12 hours is when the bacteria will start to break down proteins to smells. We can examine the condition of the gums with the use of a periodontal probe and x-rays.
"The Gas Chromograph (Halicheck) enables us to assess the three main Volatile Sulphur Compound levels in every case of Halitosis" |