Q&A with Top Doctors

Can soaking raw gypsum in water cure bad breath?

In general, soaking raw gypsum in water usually cannot directly treat bad breath.

Raw gypsum is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine with a cold nature, possessing effects of clearing heat, relieving fire, alleviating irritability, and quenching thirst. From the perspective of traditional Chinese medicine, some cases of bad breath are caused by excessive stomach heat or upward inflammation of gastric fire. Soaking raw gypsum in water might help alleviate such bad breath by reducing stomach fire. However, bad breath has multiple potential causes, including poor oral hygiene, dental caries, periodontitis, and other oral diseases, as well as gastrointestinal conditions like gastritis and gastric ulcers, and even respiratory diseases. If the bad breath is not caused by excessive stomach fire, soaking raw gypsum in water may have little or no effect.

It is not recommended to self-treat bad breath by soaking raw gypsum in water. When bad breath occurs, one should first visit a hospital for a comprehensive examination to determine the underlying cause. If oral diseases are responsible, timely dental treatment such as scaling or filling may be necessary. If the cause is related to gastrointestinal disease, appropriate medical treatment should be followed under a doctor's guidance.

In daily life, maintaining good oral hygiene habits is important: brushing teeth properly in the morning and evening, rinsing the mouth after meals, avoiding spicy and greasy foods in the diet, and consuming more vegetables and fruits can help improve bad breath.

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Dr. Liu Chao
May 26, 2025
What kind of tea is good for bad breath?

Generally, bad breath can be improved by drinking chrysanthemum tea, mint tea, osmanthus tea, green tea, or clove tea. The analysis is as follows:

1. Chrysanthemum Tea: Clears heat and detoxifies the body. It is suitable for bad breath caused by excessive internal heat (commonly known as "fireiness"), and its effect can be enhanced when combined with honeysuckle.

2. Mint Tea: Refreshes breath, stimulates saliva secretion, and helps relieve bad breath caused by dry mouth. However, pregnant women should use it cautiously.

3. Osmanthus Tea: Aromatically clears turbidity and can be steeped together with black or green tea to improve bad breath caused by excessive stomach heat.

4. Green Tea: The tannic acid in green tea has cleansing and deodorizing properties, helping maintain oral cleanliness and freshness. It is suitable for daily prevention.

5. Clove Tea: The tea polyphenols it contains may help improve indigestion and have some effect on bad breath caused by excessive stomach fire.

When drinking tea, care should be taken not to drink immediately after meals, especially strong tea, as it may interfere with food digestion and iron absorption. In addition to drinking tea, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice daily, using dental floss to clean between teeth, and undergoing regular dental cleanings to remove tartar. If tea remedies prove ineffective, a visit to a dental or gastroenterology clinic is advised to rule out periodontal disease, Helicobacter pylori infection, and other potential causes.

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Dr. Liu Chao
May 26, 2025
What is the main source of infection for hand, foot, and mouth disease?

The main sources of transmission for hand, foot, and mouth disease include symptomatic patients, asymptomatic infected individuals, bodily fluids and secretions, contaminated objects, and the environment. A detailed analysis is as follows:

1. Symptomatic Patients

Symptomatic patients refer to children who have already developed typical symptoms such as fever, blisters on the hands and feet, and oral ulcers. The virus exists in their feces, nasopharyngeal secretions, saliva, and blister fluid, and they are most contagious within one week after onset.

2. Asymptomatic Infected Individuals

Some children infected with the virus do not develop symptoms but can still test positive for the virus in their throat and feces. They may continue to excrete the virus for several weeks and act as a source of infection.

3. Bodily Fluids and Secretions

Patients' saliva, nasal mucus, tears, sweat, urine, and feces may contain the virus. Particularly in feces, viral shedding can last up to 3-5 weeks.

4. Contaminated Objects

Objects such as tableware, toys, and towels used by patients can become contaminated by bodily fluids or feces and thus serve as sources of transmission for hand, foot, and mouth disease.

5. Environment

In crowded settings such as kindergartens and schools, the virus can easily spread through shared objects due to frequent contact among children.

In daily life, thoroughly wash hands with soap or hand wash using the seven-step handwashing technique after touching public items and before eating or after using the toilet. If a child develops symptoms such as fever, rash, or refusal to eat, seek medical attention immediately and keep the child at home in isolation to avoid returning to school.

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Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
May 26, 2025
How to Determine Whether You Have Bad Breath or Not

Self-assessment methods for bad breath include covering the mouth and nose with both hands and exhaling, performing a wrist-lick test, asking others for feedback, checking with a mirror, and undergoing professional examination. Details are as follows:

1. Covering the mouth and nose with both hands and exhaling: Breathe deeply with clean hands covering the mouth and nose, then exhale quickly onto the palms and smell the breath to assess its odor.

2. Wrist-lick test: Gently lick the inner side of your wrist. Once the saliva dries, check for any unpleasant odor.

3. Asking others: Feedback from family members or close friends is the most direct and reliable method.

4. Mirror check: Use a mirror to examine the inside of your mouth for food debris, dental plaque, or excessive tongue coating, which are common causes of bad breath.

5. Professional examination: If you suspect severe bad breath, it is recommended to consult a dentist or oral physician for a professional assessment to identify the cause and receive appropriate treatment advice.

If bad breath occurs, it is recommended to maintain good oral hygiene by brushing teeth twice daily, using dental floss to clean between teeth, and undergoing regular dental cleanings to remove tartar. Use a tongue brush to clean the tongue surface. Additionally, reduce consumption of pungent foods such as onions and garlic, avoid smoking and alcohol, and prevent prolonged fasting that may lead to acid reflux.

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Dr. Liu Chao
May 26, 2025
How to Treat Gastric Ulcers

The treatment of gastric ulcers mainly involves three aspects: medication, lifestyle adjustments, and, when necessary, surgical intervention.

Medication primarily includes acid inhibitors (such as proton pump inhibitors, PPIs) and gastric mucosal protective agents. Acid inhibitors reduce gastric acid secretion and promote ulcer healing, while gastric mucosal protective agents enhance the protective capacity of the gastric mucosa and aid in ulcer recovery. If the ulcer is caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, antibiotics must also be used in combination to eradicate the infection.

Avoid consuming spicy, greasy, excessively hot, or cold foods to reduce the burden on the digestive system. Eating regularly and avoiding overeating contribute to the recovery from gastric ulcers. For mild gastric ulcers, non-pharmacological treatments such as dietary therapy, abdominal heat application, and massage of the Zusanli acupoint may be employed. When appropriate, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) such as Coptis (Huang Lian) and Evodia (Wu Zhu Yu) can be used to help neutralize gastric acid and protect the gastric mucosa.

Patients with gastric ulcers that do not respond to medication, frequently recur, or develop complications (such as bleeding or perforation) may require surgical treatment. Surgical options include ulcer excision or vagotomy, with the specific approach determined according to the patient's individual condition.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
What causes bad breath in children?

Bad breath in children can be caused by multiple factors, mainly categorized into physiological and pathological causes.

Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause. If children do not develop good brushing habits, food debris can accumulate in the mouth, and bacteria breaking down this debris may produce unpleasant odors. Saliva helps clean the mouth, and when children have dry mouths with reduced saliva production, bacteria can multiply easily, leading to bad breath. Cavities or gum problems can also cause bad breath because these areas tend to harbor debris and bacteria.

Dental issues such as tooth decay and periodontal disease may cause food particles to remain in cavities or inflamed periodontal tissues, which can then lead to bad breath. Additionally, indigestion might also cause bad breath since food can accumulate and decay in the digestive tract when gastrointestinal function is impaired. Moreover, nasal, throat, or ear infections—such as sinusitis and tonsillitis—may also produce bad breath due to the presence of pus or other secretions.

If a child's bad breath persists, parents are advised to take the child to a hospital for examination to rule out underlying health issues and to consult with a professional dentist or pediatrician to learn about proper oral care techniques and receive treatment if necessary.

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Dr. Zhou Xiaofeng
May 26, 2025
How to deal with bad breath from a young age

For individuals who have had bad breath since childhood, possible causes may include poor oral hygiene habits, dental diseases (such as cavities, periodontal disease), thick tongue coating, dry mouth, digestive system disorders, respiratory infections, or systemic diseases (such as diabetes).

Firstly, oral hygiene should be improved by regular teeth cleaning, brushing with fluoride toothpaste, flossing daily, and using mouthwash when necessary. At the same time, maintaining adequate water intake to promote saliva production and prevent dry mouth is important.

Certain oral conditions, such as cavities and gingivitis, as well as gastrointestinal diseases like chronic gastritis and peptic ulcers, may also cause bad breath. If related symptoms exist, timely medical consultation is recommended to identify the underlying cause and receive targeted treatment. Regular dental cleanings to remove dental calculus and plaque can effectively reduce bad breath. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption are also effective methods for improving breath odor, as tobacco and alcohol can worsen the problem.

Addressing chronic bad breath from childhood requires a comprehensive approach involving improvements in oral hygiene, dietary habits, and lifestyle to achieve the goal of reducing or eliminating bad breath.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
What should I eat after surgery to replenish blood?

After surgery, blood replenishment is an important part of the recovery process, especially for patients who have experienced significant blood loss.

Foods rich in iron can be consumed. Iron is a key component in the synthesis of hemoglobin. Red meats (such as beef and lamb), poultry, fish, legumes (such as black beans and red beans), leafy green vegetables (such as spinach and rape), and nuts and dried fruits (such as almonds and raisins) are all good sources of iron.

Vitamin C enhances iron absorption. It is recommended to consume citrus fruits (such as oranges and grapefruits), strawberries, tomatoes, and leafy green vegetables. Foods rich in high-quality protein, such as eggs and legumes, not only aid in repairing damaged tissues but also provide essential nutritional support to the body.

Although diet plays a positive role in blood replenishment, it cannot directly replace medical treatment. Postoperative patients should follow medical advice to maintain a balanced diet and avoid over-reliance on any single food for blood recovery. Patients with specific health conditions, such as kidney disease or iron overload disorders, should pay special attention to their iron intake.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
What should I do if I experience twitching pain just above the navel and below the stomach for two days?

The area just above the navel and below the stomach corresponds approximately to the upper abdomen. Pain in this region may involve multiple organs, including the stomach, small intestine, pancreas, and gallbladder.

If the pain is caused by gastrointestinal spasms due to exposure to cold, patients can try applying a hot water bottle or warm towel to the abdomen to relieve symptoms. Additionally, drinking warm water is recommended to help warm the stomach and reduce pain.

It is advisable to follow a light diet temporarily, avoid greasy and irritating foods, rest adequately, and drink an appropriate amount of water. If the pain persists, is accompanied by symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, fever, jaundice, or affects normal daily activities, prompt medical attention is advised to determine the underlying cause through professional examinations (such as blood tests and abdominal ultrasound) and receive appropriate treatment.

If the pain is related to overeating or irregular eating habits, patients can attempt to adjust their dietary habits, consuming more easily digestible foods and avoiding irritating or cold foods. Self-diagnosis and self-medication may delay proper treatment, so they are not recommended. While waiting for medical consultation, measures such as applying a hot water bottle to the affected area may help alleviate discomfort.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025
What should I do if my stomach doesn't digest food properly, and I pass whatever I eat?

When the stomach fails to digest food properly, and whatever is eaten comes out undigested in the stool, it is usually a sign of gastrointestinal dysfunction or indigestion.

Indigestion may be caused by various factors, including dietary habits, stress, imbalance of intestinal flora, or illness. To address this issue, one should first adjust their diet by reducing intake of greasy and spicy foods and increasing dietary fiber, such as vegetables and fruits, which help improve intestinal motility and promote digestion.

Selecting appropriate fruits is also important. High-water-content fruits, such as dragon fruit, bananas, and hawthorn, not only provide rich vitamins and minerals but also increase stool moisture, facilitating bowel movements.

If symptoms are significant, prokinetic medications such as mosapride or digestive enzymes may be considered under a doctor's guidance to accelerate digestion. For diarrhea control, medications such as montmorillonite powder or berberine may be taken. Depending on the situation, medications that regulate intestinal flora, such as bifidobacterium triple viable capsules, might also be needed.

If physical discomfort occurs, it is recommended to seek medical attention at a hospital promptly and follow the doctor's instructions for treatment.

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Dr. Shen Yonghua
May 26, 2025