Bad Breath and its Causes.

 We’ve all experienced it and I haven’t met anyone who enjoys it – bad breath.  Millions of people suffer from chronic halitosis or bad breath and are unsure of its cause.  In most cases, bad breath originates from the gums and tongue, but there are also a variety of other sources.

Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is primarily caused by poor oral hygiene.  If you don’t brush and floss daily, food particles and other debris remain in your mouth and collect bacteria which can cause bad breath.  Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot.  The decaying food and debris produces a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor.

Bad breath may also be a sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip which adheres to the back of the tongue, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances as well as liver or kidney dysfunction.  If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family physician or a specialist to determine the cause of your bad breath.

One of the warning signs of periodontal (gum) disease is persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth.  Periodontal disease is caused by plaque, the sticky film of bacteria that constantly forms on teeth.  The bacteria create toxins that irritate the gums and create bad odors as the disease progresses.

Another cause of bad breath is a dry mouth.  A side effect of a number of medications taken today is lowered production of saliva.  Bad breath can also occur when the flow of saliva decreases.  Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth and remove particles that may cause odor.  Not only is a dry mouth susceptible to bad odors, it is also more prone to develop gum disease and decay.  If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may recommend artificial saliva or suggest increasing your intake of water while decreasing drinks that contain caffeine.  Hard sugarless candies can also stimulate the production of more saliva.

Tobacco products are another cause of bad breath.  They also stain teeth, irritate gum tissues and reduce ones ability to taste foods.  Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at a greater risk for developing oral cancer.  Stopping or limiting their use can help decrease a concern of bad breath.

Certain foods and drinks such as onions, garlic and coffee may be detected on a person’s breath for up to 72 hours after ingestion.  Onions, for example, are absorbed by the stomach and the odor is then excreted through the lungs as we breathe.  Studies have even shown that garlic rubbed on the soles of the feet can show up on the breath!

What can I do about Bad Breath?

Other than some of the things I’ve mentioned, getting rid of bad breath may be as simple as maintaining a healthy mouth with good oral hygiene at home.  To alleviate the odors, along with daily brushing and flossing be sure to clean your tongue.  It can harbor a lot of bacteria and may be cleaned with your toothbrush or a tongue scraper.  Regular checkups will allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease, dry mouth or other disorders that may be the cause.  Eliminating gum disease and scheduling regular professional cleanings are essential.

Most mouth rinses, sprays or tablets are generally cosmetic and do not have a long-lasting effect on bad breath.  A majority of the over-the-counter mouth rinses have high levels of alcohol in them.  The rinse may make your mouth feel fresh for a short period of time, but in the long-run, the alcohol will dry your mouth out causing more of a concern.  If you constantly need to use a breath freshener to hide unpleasant mouth odor, see your dentist.  After determining the cause, he/she may prescribe certain antimicrobial rinses to kill the bacteria.  There are also several mouthwashes, toothpastes or gels available through your dentist that contain ingredients which bind the sulfur compounds that precipitate the odors, thereby eliminating the bad breath!

I hope you don’t ever have a concern with bad breath, but if you do, you may want to discuss these and other options with your dentist.