Edison is also credited with developing the electric light bulb into some form of practical illumination. And he famously shed light on the secret of his great success as an inventor with his much quoted (perhaps misquoted) statement: “It’s 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.”

That’s all well and good; but how do we cope with the sometimes unpleasant consequences of too much perspiration?

Hyperhidrosis is the fancy medical term used to describe excessive sweating. It’s happened to us all at some stage or another, usually when we over-exercise in hot conditions; but some people get extra sweaty in what seem to be the coolest weather and the calmest conditions.

Of course sweating occurs for a reason; it’s not just there to cause us embarrassment. The major function is the regulation of body temperature through the cooling effects of sweat evaporation. Well that’s what most sweat does.

In fact there are two types of sweat glands: so-called eccrine and apocrine. The eccrine glands are distributed over the entire skin surface whereas the apocrine glands occur mainly in the armpits and the groin. The apocrine glands produce a more viscous secretion responsible for our “personal scent”.

Wherever on the body the sweat comes from it’s initially clean and fresh and without any unpleasant odour; but when it comes into contact with the normal skin bacteria, a not so pleasant smell is the result.

The management of body odour (BO) or bromhydrosis as it is known medically, depends chiefly on two factors – killing the bacteria on the body (or at least reducing their number) and keeping the affected area as dry as possible.

Sweaty, smelly feet are a particular problem. The moisture enclosed by shoes and socks can increase the risk of fungal infections; and the fungal infections can exacerbate the often already unpleasant odour which rises from floor level whenever the laces are loosened.

Oral malodour sounds so much more polite than halitosis; but it’s bad breath by any other name. Overnight the lack of the cleansing action of saliva allows the bacteria in the mouth to run riot, so waking up in the morning with dogs’ breath is not an unusual occurrence.

But this is most often transient and is easily rectified by having some breakfast, brushing the teeth and tongue, and rinsing the mouth with fresh water.

In people with persistent halitosis, poor oral hygiene is probably the problem, but other pre-disposing factors include mouth and gum disease, and a chronic reduction in the secretion of saliva. There are a number of medicines that cause dry mouth and a few others which could be a direct cause of bad breath. Ask your pharmacist for advice.

The cause of halitosis may not always originate in the mouth. Sometimes an upper respiratory tract or sinus infection could be the culprit. See your doctor if this is a possibility.

Meanwhile you could get some useful information on how to avoid those less than pleasant fragrances from pharmacies providing the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information. There are fact cards on Dry Mouth, Oral Health, Sinus Problems and Tinea, among many others. Check the website www.psa.org.au and click on Self Care Pharmacy Finder, for the nearest location.

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia

Recent studies indicate that Australians have lower standards of oral health than almost any other developed country.

In part, this problem is due to a shortage of skilled oral health care practitioners, but there are strategies that we can personally put into practice that will help prevent tooth decay and gum disease occurring – strategies that were highlighted during the recent National Dental Health Awareness Week.

The most common cause of oral health problems is plaque. Plaque is a thin, sticky film which builds up on the teeth. It is produced by a combination of saliva, bacteria and food. The bacteria ferment sugars in the food forming acids that erode the tooth enamel. Plaque also damages the gums as well.

The plaque can be removed by brushing and flossing, but it quickly reforms. When it stays on the teeth for longer that a few days, it hardens into tartar (or calculus) that acts a reservoir for bacteria. The tarter then needs to be removed by a dentist.

For some good tips on how to keep your teeth long term, and how to keep those tissues that support the teeth healthy as well, get hold of the Fact Card titled Oral Health. It’s available from pharmacies around Australia that provide the Pharmaceutical Society’s Self Care health information.

For a start, brush your teeth twice a day – morning and bedtime – with a soft toothbrush and a fluoride toothpaste. Take the time to brush carefully and gently along the tongue, or use a tongue cleaner, as bacteria can thrive on the tongue, too.

A low fluoride toothpaste is recommended for children aged 18 months to 6 years, and for children under the age of 18 months brushing without a paste is best.

To completely remove plaque and food from between the teeth we should also floss once a day (rinse thoroughly after flossing) or use interdental brushes. The appropriate flossing technique is detailed on the Oral Health card.

Healthy eating makes healthy teeth and gums. Avoid sweet sugary drinks and snacks; and if you do snack between meals, rinse the mouth with water afterwards. Smoking increases the risk of gum disease and oral cancer; so it’s another good reason to quit smoking. Smoking also contributes to dry mouth, itself a factor in causing teeth and gum disease.

Saliva (we normally secrete about 1.5 litres a day) assists speech, taste and swallowing and prepares food for digestion. A good flow of saliva also helps prevent tooth decay and protects against mouth and gum infections.

Saliva production commonly decreases with age, but apart from smoking, there are other factors which reduce the flow of saliva such as alcohol and caffeine containing drinks (they can be dehydrating), snoring and breathing through the mouth, and also certain medicines.

In fact medicines are the most common cause of dry mouth. If you’re suffering from chronic or continual dry mouth, check with your pharmacist to see if one or more medicines could be the cause. Of course, sometimes these medicines are essential, but there are ways to minimise the dryness. Special gels, sprays, toothpastes, gums and mouthwashes are available.

For more information on keeping your mouth, teeth and gums fresh and clean and disease free, check out the fact cards on Oral Health and Dry Mouth at one of the 1,650 Self Care pharmacies around Australia. For the nearest location go to the Pharmaceutical Society website www.psa.org.au and click on “Self Care Pharmacy Finder”.

©2009 Pharmaceutical Society of Australia