Diagnosis of Bad Breath at Australian Breath Clinic
Dr Speiser's Australian Breath Clinic has developed a unique scientifically proven method for the diagnosis of bad breath. The clinical diagnosis is made due to results of3 different tests we carry out on the patient at the initial consultation. This first consultation takes approximately 1hour. The patient may need to attend a further two to three times over the following weeks so that we can monitor and fine tune any issues arising as well as undertake further tests to clinically ensure our treatment is working. Consultations are done in the morning due to restrictions in food intake needed for accurate tests. Please call the clinic on 1300 653 335 (toll free Australia) or +(612)9363 0744 from outside Australia for more information.
Step 1: HALICHECK
HALICHECK is a specialised Gas Chromatography test developed by Dr Speiser, that measures the individual gases of bad breath. Halicheck is unique to Dr Speiser's Australian Breath Clinic offices and is not available anywhere else in Australia. Halicheck is an extremely accurate science that is the only proven and accepted method to measure gas compounds in air samples. The machine is so accurate that it can measure gas compounds as few as one part gas compound per billion parts of air. Most human noses only begin to be able to sense smells at around 50 to 100 parts of gas per billion parts of air.
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Halicheck is therefore extremely useful in a number of ways. It is the core element in aiding the specific diagnosis of which component of bad breath is causing the embarrassment and offence. This is extremely important as it enables Dr Speiser's Breath Clinic to tailor a treatment for your individual condition. But Halicheck is also useful as a preventative screening to ensure that your ongoing bad breath treatment or regime is working for you.
Halicheck is also vitally important at helping to preventatively screen for other mouth conditions, such as periodontal disease and gingivitis. Even low concentrations of bad breath gases, in particular Methyl Mercaptan play an important role in the pathogenesis of gum disease, as bad breath gases have been shown to be highly toxic to gingival tissue, and thus can accelerate a periodontal condition. The relationship between oral malodour, gingivitis, and periodontitis. A review. P A Ratcliff and P W Johnson J Periodontal. 1999 May;70 (5) 485-9 10368052
Ng and Tonzetich found that the permeability of sublingual mucosa increased 103% following exposure to methyl mercaptan, indicating that Methyl Mercaptan plays a large role in the cause and progression of periodontal (gum) disease. Effect of hydrogen sulphide and methyl mercaptan on the permeability of oral mucosa. Ng W and Tonzetich J, J DentRes 63(7):994-1007, 1984.)
Halicheck is specifically developed to screen for Methyl Mercaptan, which has a smell of faeces. Some of the bacteria in gum disease that release Methyl Mercaptan are Treponema denticola, Porphyromonas gingivalis, Bacteroides forsthus, fusobacterium nucleatum and Bacteroides melanogenicus.
Step 2: GC SALIVA TEST
Next, the patient's saliva is tested, for quantity of saliva, acidity of saliva, and buffering capacity of the saliva. Saliva is the body's natural means of balancing mouth acids. The testing is carried out using the GC Saliva Test Kit products and protocol. Dr Speiser's Australian Breath Clinic has determined that healthy saliva is always at neutral pH. However sometimes due to medical problems, drug intake, or over use of soft drinks or snacking, the patient can change their pH to a more acid level that encourages the growth of Bad Breath Bacteria. Patients with healthy neutral saliva are better able to maintain a good bacterial mouth and throat balance.
Step 3: HALIMETER READING
The Halimeter is another method of checking the level of Volatile Sulphur Compounds in a persons throat and mouth. The clinic uses this test to check the level of sulphur compounds being expirated under dynamic pressure. This way we can see if a patients's breath is offensive when they talk loudly or laugh out loud.
Having two different Volatile Sulphur Compound measuring devices enables Dr Speiser to confirm any serious issues, as well as possibly pick up minor changes that may be beginning in the biofilms. Not all of our clinics use a Halimeter. This is an extra step added at our Sydney Office.
Step 4: AUSTRALIAN BREATH CLINIC LIFESTYLE QUIZ
The lifestyle quiz has been developed by Dr Speiser after treating thousands of patients over a 10 year period. The quiz will investigate, your oral cleaning techniques, medical illness and drugs, lifestyle choices, food choices, and a multitude of other activities that may be impacting on your Halitosis Breath Readings. The quiz is an essential part of the diagnosis and consultation procedure.
Many patients tell us the quiz helps them enormously as it allows both Dr Speiser and the patient to put all the pieces of the Bad Breath jigsaw puzzle into perspective.
