Article 11 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
It’s those bacteria again (see Article 10 in this series): they’re breaking down proteins so that it can be used by the body. More protein means more breaking down to do (and over a longer period) so worse breath. It stands to reason that foods rich in protein such as diary products, fish, nuts and mainly manly meaty meat cause more breath problems that others.
Bad smelling breath resulting from eating foods high in protein can be prevented by basic oral hygiene. Brushing, flossing, gargling and cleaning the tongue will all help keep the bad monster of bad breath far from your door.
Article 10 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Bad breath is often caused by an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth. As one of the main entry points for foreign object the mouth becomes home to many millions of bacteria. Some of these bacteria come in with food while the others are there to help break down our food into useful parts. These bacteria are living organisms and they eventually die (the majority of human faeces is actually dead bacteria); when they die they begin to break down. The living bacteria break down complex foodstuffs and release noxious gases as they do so. This combination of causes mean that bacteria is one of the main causes of bad breath.
This can be demonstrated by the smell of a person’s breath in a morning. Often this is the worse smelling time of day. The reason morning breath is worse than ‘day breath’ is that less saliva is produced in the mouth while sleeping (unless you’re old, then often this will manifest itself by dribbling out of the side of the mouth, often in public). Salvia helps to keep the mouth clean with its antibacterial properties.
Brushing teeth, cleaning tongues, gargling with mouthwash, flossing. All these activities can be described as oral hygiene. Performing these tasks on a regular basis will go a long way to ensuring the best possible basis for combatting bad breath. These activities don’t take long, can be easily carried out and, if part of a routine, become almost automatic. Don’t let apathy prevent you from having a healthy mouth and clean-smelling breath.
Article 9 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
When people refer to tonsils, they are referring to the palatine tonsils that can be seen dangling in the back of the throat, but the term infact refers to the whole of the two lumps of lymphoid tissue positioned in the oropharnyx to the rear of the mouth. Tonsils help to fight off infections, and are part of the body’s extensive immunue system.
Smells may occur as a result of serous fluids being secreted from the tonsil glands. These fluids are likely to persist even where proper oral hygiene has been observed. Other symptoms are of the hawking of very smelly ‘cheesy’ substances from the throat which are formed inside tonsillar crypts and contain thousands of dead bacteria (which give their smell).
In cases of bad breath, along with the symptoms noted above, sufferers should consider visiting a health professional for advice.
Article 8 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Dental Caries is the process of stripping and destruction of enamel and dentine, along with the declacification of the teeth. It is an incredibly nasty destructive and contagious desease causing tooth cavities and decay. It may lead to death if left unchecked. Caries can be caused by a deficiency in calcium levels.
Caries starts by lesions and cavaties appearing in the teeth which can trap food. The food begins to smell and this, in turn causes bad breath. More seriously the putrified food affects the teeth and makes the situation worse. Proper brushing and mouth hygiene can help to prevent caries in the first place, and can help to minimise the effect of trapped food if it is already progressing. It is important to see a dental professional if caries is identified, however, and no amount of brushing can make up for the advice of a professional.
Article 7 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Generally, sufferers of diabetes (diabetes mellitus, to give it its proper name) can, along with all the other symptoms they must deal with expect to have cope with bad breath. With diabetes comes a biofilm on the tongue, ulcers, and increased sugar levels in tissues - all potentially causes of bad breath. Bacteria, too, grow much quicker in diabetic people than in non-sufferers. Bad breath in diabetes sufferers is often characterised by the smell of acetone on the breath.
Naturally this doesn’t mean that any bad breath means an individual has diabetes!
Article 6 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
The tonsils are two lumps of lymphoid tissue, positioned in the lateral wall of oropharnyx to the rear of the mouth. When people refer to tonsils, they are referring to the palatine tonsils that can be seen dangling in the back of the throat. Tonsils are part of the human body’s immune system, and help to fight off infections.
Tonsils occasionally become inflammed, red and often have ulcers on them. This is unpleasant affliction is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is commonly a cause of bad breathe, since the bacteria that live on the diseased tonsils cause the smell. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscesses - both similar afflications can also produce bad breath.
Removal of the tonsils is possible, though this operation is usually only performed in extreme cases of recurring tonsilitis.
Article 5 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Biofilm is the formation of thin, sticky coating on the tongue. This is most noticable on awakening from a good night’s sleep. This tongue coating almost always causes bad breath (another reason breath smells in the morning). This biofilm protects anerobic bacteria living under it allowing them to prosper and breed at an alarming rate. More bacteria mean more smells. Millions of bacteria can live on the rear of the tongue in these conditions.
The film can be seen as a white film over the tongue and appears most commonly when during sleep but sometimes when a person is ill.
Article 4 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Tartar and plaques (pronounced ‘Plack’) provides shelter for food debris and the bacteria that feeds off it. When bacteria feed off food - breaking down the proteins in it - they produce gases which cause the breath to smell.
Plaques and tartar are often the result of poor mouth hygiene and can be prevent and combatted with simple mouth hygiene. Brushing, flossing, mouthwash and tongue cleaning can all help to prevent the onset of Tartar and Dental Plaque and, from here, the onset of bad breath.
Article 3 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath
Poor gum health can lead to a retraction of the gums from the teeth. Gum retraction manifests itself with red, sore gums rather than the healthy pink normally displayed. Not only is gum retraction uncomfortable and definitely a sign of gum disease, it can also trap food between the gums and the teeth leading to further discomfort and bad breath as the food decays. Decaying food, as we have mentioned in previous articles, causes bad breath as the bacteria help to decay proteins.
Article 2 in an occasional series on the causes of bad breath.
Smokers have to be careful on no less than 4 fronts when considering the effects of their habit on their breath smell.
Smoking is generally accepted as leaving a bad smell. Whether it is ingrained in furniture in a home, in a car, or in your clothes, the unpleasant stench lingers. Naturally smokers themselves do not notice this smell as much as non-smokers. This smokey smell causes the smoker’s breath to smell. Mouth maintenance can prevent the potency of the smell, and special smokers’ toothpaste which is slightly more abrasive than standard kinds may often help.
Smoking may also produce lesions in the mouth and lungs; these lesions cause further bad breath problems.
The process of smoking reduces oxygen in the mouth and increases carbon dioxide. This carbon dioxide is very beneficial to anerobic bacteria that live in the oral cavity, anbling them to prosper and multiply quicker. More bacteria usually means more smell. Regulary brushing and mouth maintenance can prevent the effect of the bacteria on breath.
Finally, smoking reduces the appetite and thirst. Reduced appetite and thirst mean that acid peptic disease - causing further smells - is prevalent in heavy smokers.