Halitosis, or bad breath, afflicts most people from time to time. Though it can be embarrassing, it is usually temporary and preventable. It can result from poor oral hygiene, odor-causing foods, an excess of alcohol or a smoking habit. Halitosis can also be a symptom of an ailment or illness, in which case the breath odor will disappear when the patient recovers. The more you know about what causes bad breath, the easier it is to avoid it.
The most frequent, and most easily avoided, cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene. When we eat, any food particles not swallowed remain in our mouths. They may become trapped between teeth or in the follicles on the surface of the tongue. In the absence of a regular brushing and flossing regime to remove them, these particles begin to decompose and give off unpleasant odors.
Some foods can adversely affect our breath even after we've digested them. Organic sulfur compounds, which give rotten eggs their distinctive odor, are also found in garlic, onions, and cabbage. When we eat these foods, the sulfur is absorbed into the blood stream, carried to the lungs and released in our breath.
Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth and washes away residual food particles. A lack of sufficient saliva contributes to halitosis. We tend to experience 'morning breath' because we produce less saliva over night. Alcohol has a drying effect on the mouth, so breath tends to be especially foul the morning after a binge. People suffering from a blocked nose due to colds or allergies are inclined to breathe through their mouths. This causes saliva to evaporate, frequently resulting in unpleasant breath.
Cigarette smoking is commonly linked to halitosis. Tobacco contains odor-causing chemicals which are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled with the breath. It also dries the mouth, limiting the cleansing effect of saliva. Long term smoking contributes to gum disease, a major cause of bad breath.
A variety of ailments can lead to halitosis. Chief among these are oral and dental problems such as abscesses. Nose and throat infections, sinusitis and bronchitis are also associated with bad breath. Digestive disorders can result in foul smelling gases from the stomach or bowel being released through the mouth.
If you've become aware that your breath is offensive to others, the first step you should take is to ensure that you follow an regular oral hygiene regime. It should consist of brushing your teeth and tongue twice daily, flossing between teeth and rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. If the unpleasant odors persist, try cutting out odor causing foods or reducing alcohol consumption. Visit your dentist if you have loose teeth, swollen gums or unexplained chronic halitosis.
The most frequent, and most easily avoided, cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene. When we eat, any food particles not swallowed remain in our mouths. They may become trapped between teeth or in the follicles on the surface of the tongue. In the absence of a regular brushing and flossing regime to remove them, these particles begin to decompose and give off unpleasant odors.
Some foods can adversely affect our breath even after we've digested them. Organic sulfur compounds, which give rotten eggs their distinctive odor, are also found in garlic, onions, and cabbage. When we eat these foods, the sulfur is absorbed into the blood stream, carried to the lungs and released in our breath.
Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth and washes away residual food particles. A lack of sufficient saliva contributes to halitosis. We tend to experience 'morning breath' because we produce less saliva over night. Alcohol has a drying effect on the mouth, so breath tends to be especially foul the morning after a binge. People suffering from a blocked nose due to colds or allergies are inclined to breathe through their mouths. This causes saliva to evaporate, frequently resulting in unpleasant breath.
Cigarette smoking is commonly linked to halitosis. Tobacco contains odor-causing chemicals which are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled with the breath. It also dries the mouth, limiting the cleansing effect of saliva. Long term smoking contributes to gum disease, a major cause of bad breath.
A variety of ailments can lead to halitosis. Chief among these are oral and dental problems such as abscesses. Nose and throat infections, sinusitis and bronchitis are also associated with bad breath. Digestive disorders can result in foul smelling gases from the stomach or bowel being released through the mouth.
If you've become aware that your breath is offensive to others, the first step you should take is to ensure that you follow an regular oral hygiene regime. It should consist of brushing your teeth and tongue twice daily, flossing between teeth and rinsing with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. If the unpleasant odors persist, try cutting out odor causing foods or reducing alcohol consumption. Visit your dentist if you have loose teeth, swollen gums or unexplained chronic halitosis.
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