What Causes Bad Breath And How To Fix It
Bad breath can plague us, and it can annoy and disgust others-nobody wants to hang
out with a person who reeks! Thankfully, we do know exactly where it comes from, and how to solve it.
Halitosis, which is commonly referred to as bad breath, affects a substantial number of people in all countries. The causes range widely but eighty five to ninety percent of all the causes originate from the mouth itself.
There are seven very common causes of Halitosis. They are as follows.
First, is the accumulation of food debris. The most common cause for bad breath is the accumulation of food debris on or between the teeth, and a coated tongue (resulting from poor oral hygiene).
These food particles are acted upon by anaerobic bacteria producing respiratory products which give off the characteristic rotten egg smell. Next is tooth decay.
The decay of tooth (Caries) by bacteria is an important causative agent of stinky breath. The bacteria have putrefactive (rottening) action on the tooth leading to its demineralization causing halitosis.
Next is dryness of mouth (Xerostomia). Saliva has extensive anti-bacterial action.
When there is reduction or absence of saliva in the oral cavity, it leads to accumulation of plaque which favors bacterial growth causing bad breath. There are different cures for this if this problem is treated by a doctor who knows about the disease.
Gum diseases and periodontal diseases are important causative agents of bad breath. This can be treated if caught early enough.
Smoking causes smokers breath which is due to the accumulation of nicotine, tar and other foul smelling substances in the oral cavity. Severe Dieting is another cause.
Apart from the innumerable other harmful effects, severe dieting also causes bad breath due to ketoacidosis because of prolonged starvation. Extra-oral sources is another cause.
The extra oral causes of halitosis include infections of respiratory tract, diabetes, and kidney dysfunction. There is another cause to foul odors which most people don't even know about-tonsil stones.
Tonsil stones are small stones which form due to the buildup of bacteria from allergies and mucus. They are small white balls, which can usually be removed with your finger.
An important aspect of halitosis that should be mentioned is Halitophobia or delusional Halitosis which affects around twenty five percent of the people seeking professional advice for Halitosis.
Halitophobia is the fear of having bad breath (and not actual bad breath) which drives these people to seek professional advice. The most effective way to prevent bad breath is by maintaining good oral hygiene by following the ten commandments of good oral health.
However, it should be noted that there can be extra-oral sources of stinky breath and these underlying causes must be dealt with for the successful treatment of Halitosis. As cliched or repetitive it might sound, a large percentage of the United States population do not brush two times a day in a correct way.
So, learn brushing the right way and do it regularly. Tooth Decay is an important causative agent of Halitosis and should be treated immediately.
There are various treatments for tooth decay including fillings and Root Canal Treatment (RCT). Dry Mouth (Xerostomia) reduces the saliva which is a natural mouthwash leading to bad breath.
There are many possible causes of Xerostomia and people affected by Xerostomia should get this condition rectified to treat Halitosis. Generally, drinking lots of water and chewing sugar-free gum is helpful.
Quit Smoking and Chewing tobacco as smoking and tobacco products accumulate in the oral cavity emitting foul smell. Not to mention of course the other dangerous health issues it can cause-if that is not enough, consider your stinky breath!
Using a mouthwash effectively reduces halitosis but it may not treat the underlying cause. Rinse your mouth after every meal and drink as this reduces the amount of food debris and sugars that bacteria thrive on.
Make sure you are not a victim of delusional Halitosis or Halitophobia which simply means you do not have Halitosis yet. In case, you are concerned after having bad breath when hungry, it's normal and will go away when you eat something.
by: Jack Landry
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