Bad Breath

I can tell you a few things about the causes of bad breath, which some people call halitosis. The usual sources come from poor oral hygiene, your diet, bad habits and medical causes.

 

The main causes of bad breath are in your mouth. You have hundreds of types of bacteria living in your mouth. They are just waiting to produce bad odors.

 

Your tongue is your biggest problem. Most of those bacteria live on the top rear portion of your tongue. That’s what your dentist calls the posterior dorsum. That is the driest part of your tongue, so it is a natural breeding ground for bacteria. Since that part of your tongue is more difficult to reach, it also is poorly cleaned. The result is ugly odors. That makes your tongue number one among the causes of bad breath.

 

Don’t think your tongue is one of the causes of bad breath? Just take a look at it. That whitish coating you see is trouble. The more coating you have, the more bacteria you have, the more odor you have. During a day your tongue will grow a coating of food bits and dead skin cells. Add a little post nasal drip and look out!

 

The bacteria also lurk around and between your teeth. The bacteria thrive wherever you have plaque. Plaque is that whitish stuff that builds on your teeth. Small pieces of food, even very small pieces, are causes of bad breath as your bacteria start to work on them. Ever notice any foul smells as you floss your teeth? You have just dislodged some active bacteria. Way to go!

 

Unfortunately, bacteria also live and operate below your gum line, where it is difficult, if not impossible, for you to get at them. Some of the causes of bad breath are more difficult than others.

 

Your diet also affects your breath. By diet, I mean what you eat, not your efforts to lose weight. Some foods, such as garlic and onions, have strong odors. OK, you already knew that. High-protein foods, such as meat, fish, eggs, cheese and other dairy products, also can be causes of bad breath.

 

The anaerobic (oxygen deprived) bacteria turn the proteins into amino acids. The amino acids are turned into smelly gases, such as volatile sulfur compound (VSC) and a bunch of other compounds with long names.

 

Don’t think you can avoid bad breath by not eating. Fasting produces a dryness in your mouth and that is another of the causes of bad breath. That’s why you have “morning mouth” after hours of not drinking any liquids.

 

Bad habits are causes of bad breath. Drinking alcoholic beverages can produce evil odors. Smoking cigars and cigarettes can kill your social life before killing you. Don’t even think about chewing tobacco! The solutions are simple, but difficult. Stop!

 

Medical causes of bad breath can include periodontal gum diseases, tonsils, and a few rarer problems that probably need not concern you. If you have these medical causes, your dentist or doctor will tell you.

 

Although you may not realize it, your nose also can be one of the causes of bad breath. That usually comes from sinus infections. You can treat them without too much trouble. Again, your doctor will alert you.