Causes of Bad Breath 2: Smoking
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.
