Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day to day activities of so many people. The offensive odor from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers.
The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.
Literally speaking all human beings are bad breathers. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrefies them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide, methyl mescaptan, cadaverin, skatol causing bad odor. Most of us control this by regular brushing, tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.
Here are the most common causes of bad breath.
1) Poor oral hygiene:
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken in-between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which are needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it’s quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.
2) Food habits:
The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favor bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes, nuts, pear can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasant. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.
3) Biofilm:
There is formation of a thin sticky coating called biofilm on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with bad breath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favorable for bacterial proliferation.
4) Dental caries:
This is a destructive process causing decalcification with destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitisation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli. Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrefied completely. Caries are common in schoolgoing children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene .Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose caries.
5) Gingivitis:
Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth bearing borders of the jaw .The main function of gum is protection .Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum .Due to various causes gum tissue get infected resulting in swelling, pain and discharge. If the condition becomes worse the infection spread towards periodontal area leading to continuous discharge called pyorrhea. Some times the infection goes deep producing alveolar abscess with discharge of pus. Infection can even reach the bone causing osteomyelitis. All these conditions can produce offensive smell.
6) Gum retraction:
When the gums retract from the teeth a gap is developed which will lodge food particles and cause bad breath.
7) Dental plaques and tartar deposits; Plaques and tartar is deposited mainly in the gaps between the teeth and gum. This will provide shelter for the food debris and bacteria causing bad breath.
Ulcerative lesions and coatings:
Almost all ulcerative lesions of the mouth are associated with bad breath. These lesions may be caused by bacteria, viruses, food allergies or due to autoimmune disorders. Apthous ulcer is the commonest among ulcerative lesions. Others are herpes, fungal infections, vincents angina, infectious mononucleosis, scarlet fever, diphtheria, drug reactions. Cancerous ulcers produce severe bad breath. All fungal infections produce white coating (candidiasis). Leucoplakia is a white thick patch on the mucus membrane of the mouth and tongue. It is considered as a precancerous condition. Offensive breath is associated with these conditions.
9) Diseases of the salivary glands:
Saliva is very useful to supply oxygen to all parts of the oral cavity. Even a thin film of coating called biofilm can provide an anaerobic condition in the mouth. Saliva can wet these layers and make an aerobic condition which is unfavorable for the bacteria .Any condition which reduces the production of saliva can increase bacterial activity. Some times the salivary duct is obstructed by stones or tumors. Cancer of the salivary gland is associated with offensive odor. In suppurative parotitis purulant discharge into the mouth causes bad breath.
10) Tonsillitis:
Tonsils are a pair of lymphoid tissue situated in the lateral wall of oropharynx. Inflammation of the tonsil is called tonsillitis. Bad breath is seen in both acute and chronic tonsillitis. Quinsy or peritonsillar abscess can also produce bad breath.
11) Tonsillar plaques and tonsillar fluid:
If bad breath persists even after maintaining proper oral hygiene there is possibility of this condition. Serous fluid secreted from the folds of tonsil is very offensive. Some patients complain that they hawk some cheesy materials from the throat, which are very offensive in nature. These are formed inside the tonsillar crypts which contain thousands of bacteria. In such conditions tonsillectomy gives noticeable relief from bad breath.
12) Pharyngitis and pharyngeal abscess:
Pharynx is a fibro muscular tube which forms the upper part of the digestive and respiratory tract. Inflammation of the pharynx is called pharyngitis, caused mainly by bacteria and viruses. Bad breath is present in pharyngitis along with other signs like cough and throat irritation. Abscesses in the wall of pharynx can also produce offensive discharge of pus in to the throat.
13) Dentures:
Denture users may complain about bad smell due to lodgment of small food debris in between. Proper brushing may not be possible in denture users especially fixed dentures.
14) Tobacco:
Tobacco chewing is associated with bad breath. The smell of tobacco itself is unpleasant for others. Tobacco can irritate the mucus membrane and cause ulcers and coatings. Gingivitis and pyorrhea are common in tobacco chewers. Tartar is deposited on the teeth mainly near the gums. Tobacco chewers get gastric acidity with eructations. All these cause offensive smell.
15) Smoking:
Smokers always have bad smell. It can also produce lesions in the mouth and lungs causing bad breath. Smoking increases carbon dioxide in the oral cavity and reduces oxygen level, causing a favorable condition for bacteria. Smoking reduces appetite and thirst hence acid peptic disease is common in chain smokers.
16) Lesions in the nose and ear:
Bad breath is occasionally seen in sinusitis (infection of para nasal sinuses). In case of post nasal dripping bad breath is common due to the presence of protein in the discharges. These proteins are degraded by the bacteria. Infection in the middle ear with discharge of pus in to the throat through the Eustachian tube (passage from middle ear to the throat) can also cause offensive odor. Chronic rhinitis (infection of mucus membrane of nose) and foreign bodies in the nose can also produce bad smell in the expired air.
17) Diabetes mellitus:
Mostly all diabetic patients suffer from bad breath. Coated tongue, ulcers and coatings in the mouth, increased sugar level in tissues are responsible for halitosis. Bacterial growth in diabetic patient is very faster than non diabetic individuals.
18) Fevers:
Bad breath is common in almost all fevers. Even an acute fever can produce bad breath. Severe bad breath is seen in typhoid .Other infectious diseases like Tuberculosis, AIDS produce bad smell.
19) Fasting and dehydration:
Dry mouth favors bacterial activity. So any condition which produces dryness in the mouth makes the breath offensive. Even though the food particles are known to produce bad breath, fasting can also produce the same. Production of saliva is also reduced during fasting. Chewing and swallowing also helps to keep the mouth clean.
20) Bedridden patients:
Bedridden patients suffer from offensive breath due to thick coating on the tongue. Water intake is also limited in these patients. Regurgitation of food aggravates the condition. Since they talk less aeration in the oral cavity is reduced which favors anaerobic bacteria to become active.
21) Diseases of stomach and esophagus:
Eructation of gas and food produce unpleasant smell. Abnormality in the function of lower sphincter can allow the food to regurgitate upwards causing bad breath. Bad breath is also common in gastritis, gastric ulcer and cancer of stomach.
22) Intestinal diseases:
Bad breath is common in patients suffering from ulcerative lesions of intestine like ulcerative colitis. Other diseases are malabsorption syndrome intestinal tuberculosis, peritonitis.
23) Diseases of lungs:
Lung diseases like pneumonia, lung abscess, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, tuberculosis, lung cancer can produce bad odor during expiration.
24) Liver disorders:
Liver diseases like hepatitis, cirrhosis, can cause halitosis. Gall bladder diseases with vomiting also causes unpleasant odor.
25) Psychiatric patients:
Bad breath is common in psychotic patients due to poor hygiene, irregular food habits, less water intake and.
26) Somatisation disorder:
This is a psychiatric disorder characterized by the presence of a physical symptom that suggest a medical illness .These patients come with physical complaints like pain, nausea difficult respiration, bad smell. This condition is diagnosed after detailed examination of the patient with all investigations. Since this is a psychiatric disorder it has to be managed with a psychological approach.
It seems awfully unfair (in my opinion) that many people who suffer from bad breath are automatically blamed for poor oral hygiene.
It’s hard enough having a bad breath problem, and waiting — literally, with bated breath — for that hint of a negative social reaction every time you start a bit of small talk. Very likely, anyone who suffers from this mortifying social condition has already thought a lot about how to keep their mouth clean.
The issue seems to be, some people can simply brush their teeth twice a day, floss occasionally, and be fine. Others, for reasons we don’t understand very well yet, seem to need much more dramatic steps to keep that odor in check.
Even if you’re one of the latter, it’s not the end of the world. As long as you avoid the worst gaffes in trying to fix your problem (such as popping sugary mints or flooding your mouth with standard, alcohol-based mouthwash) and take extra steps towards self-care — like religiously scraping your tongue, for example — you’ll probably get a handle on it. There are specialized breath mints to neutralize those VSCs (volatile sulfur compounds) that love to cling to the back of your tongue, and thoughtfully-formulated alcohol-free mouthwashes that do the same. Even a rinse of diluted hydrogen peroxide can help a lot, as can several fresh herbs and teas.
But this doesn’t answer the question: why you? For some people, the problem may go deep, and answer may involve a committed detoxification routine. For others, answer may be novel: a tricky little bacteria known as H. pylori.
H. pylori creates a lot of consternation. It’s often cast as a villian. But the more complicated truth is, this is a bacteria that’s been with the human race so long, some researchers count it among our normal intestinal flora. A human host infected at an early age may even enjoy greater resistance to asthma, allergies, and even diabetes than others, not to mention those modern intestinal diseases we’re seeing so much more of now, like GERD. But H. pylori is implicated in bad things, too, like stomach cancer and ulcers.
Recently, researchers have discovered that H. pylori can live in the mouth, not just the stomach. And when it’s found there, there can be a correlation with serious halitosis, and periodontal disease. Some studies found a dramatic reduction in both when the patient was successfully treated for their H. pylori infection.
Does this mean you should rush your doctor and beg for an H. pylori test right now? Not necessarily. For one thing, this infection is hard to treat, and the triple therapy required is a serious matter. Not all doctors are familiar with the complicated protocol. What’s more, H. pylori sufferers sometimes see the infection return, even after successful treatment. Plus, the research is just getting started on the relationship between H. pylori and halitosis. Eventually, a gentler treatment might be found.
In the meantime, you may want to look into mastic gum, made of resin that some studies (but not in others) found to discourage both H. pylori and S. mutans, another nasty bacteria that contributes to tooth decay. And continue with those painstaking efforts toward better oral hygiene that you’re doubtless already making.
Just remember: it wasn’t long ago that patients with ulcers were told to “rest” and “avoid spicy foods.” Now we know that H. pylori is the cause. Perhaps it won’t be long until we have a better grip on the causes of persistent bad breath, too. In the meantime, be sure to be gentle with yourself.
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Persistent bad breath is a difficult problem, but you can manage it … and cure it. Stop by Cures for Bad Breath at to learn more about and download the free Bad Breath Bible.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is sometimes caused by poor personal dental hygiene habits, but causes of bad breath can also be a result of other health issues. The bad breath is sometimes made worse by unhealthy lifestyles and the types of food that you eat. Brushing and flossing your teeth will improve your dental health if you practice the oral hygiene daily. Although, these daily routines may not solve your bad breath problems. Do you have halitosis from time to time, and don’t know how to prevent bad breath? Would it help you to know what causes bad breath, even when you have brushed and flossed your teeth? If you’re looking for some answers for the reasons behind your continued halitosis, then read the following article for some tips that can help.
Daily dental care.
The best thing you can do to prevent halitosis is daily dental care. In order to remove the odor causing bacteria that leads to halitosis, brushing your teeth, including your tongue, with fluoride toothpaste is the first step. Purchasing a tongue scraper will also enable you to effectively remove the bacteria from the back of your tongue that the toothbrush often neglects. After brushing your teeth use some floss to get between your teeth to remove any food particles left behind that leads to a build up of plaque. Flossing your teeth daily also protects you from periodontal disease, another cause of halitosis.
Other health issues.
Persistent bad breath is usually caused by poor daily oral hygiene, and continued neglect may lead to gum disease or as it is more commonly called periodontal disease. By not taking care of your teeth, the bacteria are allowed to build up in the form of plaque, and they will release toxins in your mouth and around your gums that leads to gum disease. Further neglect will lead to damage to your gums and jawbone. Additional health issues, such as sinus infections or upset stomachs can be a cause for halitosis. Halitosis from these conditions is a result of the post nasal drip from your sinuses, or from burping due to an upset stomach, and you can purchase over the counter remedies from your local pharmacy to combat them.
Dental health solutions.
Freshening your breath during temporary period of illness can be achieved by gargling with peroxide. The peroxide contains oxygen that kills the odor causing bacteria. If excess plaque has built up on your teeth and gums; you can use antimicrobial mouthwash to kill the bacteria that cause it. Your favorite mouthwash that includes fluoride to protect from tooth decay can then be used as a follow up. Halitosis can also be controlled by staying hydrated during the day. Bad breath can also be caused from a dry mouth, and staying hydrated throughout the day will help prevent halitosis. Finally, you will have to pay attention to the food that you eat. Try avoiding the notoriously bad breath foods like onions and garlic that stays with you all day.
While the can be avoided, good daily oral hygiene is the first line of defense. Now that you are aware of you can do something about it. For anyone who has a problem with halitosis, they should now know .
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Wendy Griffin enjoys writing on her spare time. She applies her personal experiences when she writes. Her topics include health and fitness, love and relaitoships, stock and investing among others. She also enjoys singing and playing the piano.
Bad breath is a truly disturbing problem that can affect your social life. Unfortunately, there are many causes and sometimes you may just need your doctor to help you determine the underlying cause of it. The good news is that, in most cases, getting rid of it is not at all hard.
Here are some simple steps that will guide you through the most effective actions you can do in order to fight your smelly breath.
Toothbrushes
Most of us know that our toothbrushes need to be changed every three months. The first step towards fresher breath is to purchase a new toothbrush. Toothbrushes tend to become worn after more than three months of usage. The bristles fray and as such would not be able to clean your teeth and gums effectively. Food particles are very likely to be left behind after brushing your teeth with a worn out toothbrush.
Diet
The second step is to analyze your diet. Cut down on any food that might leave your breath with a foul smell. Onions, garlic and certain types of fish are well known to cause halitosis so avoid them by changing your diet and having less of such nasty foods.
Medication
The third step is to look at the medication you have taken. There are many drugs out there that have halitosis as a side effect. If you are presenting using any of these drugs, consult your doctor and ask for a possible substitute.
If none is available, ask the doctor how the drugs cause bad breath. This will allow you to understand the underlying cause so that the appropriate remedies can be applied. For example, if the drugs are known to cause dry mouth, you could then do whatever it takes to keep your mouth moisturize.
Mouthwash and Chewing Gums
The fourth step is to make use of mouthwashes and sugar free chewing gum. Ensure that your mouthwash does not contain alcohol but has oxygenation causing ingredients so that you can kill the anaerobic bacteria present in the mouth, which is one of the most common causes of your smelly breath conditions.
Sugar free chewing gum is perfect in both making your mouth generate saliva and removing eventual leftovers from an early meal (both situations are known to cause bad breath). Do not use mints as they usually contain sugar, which is a great source of nutrients for anaerobic bacteria.
Tongue Cleaner
The last step is to get a tongue cleaner. Brushing your tongue with a tooth brush might actually push present bacteria to the back of the throat, where they can live and multiply while causing extremely bad breath. Using a tongue cleaner is the best way to avoid this.
Conclusion
As you can see from above, getting rid of bad breath is not difficult. With these 5 simple steps, you will be on your way to cleaner and fresher breath.
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Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a very common temporary condition caused by such things as oral dryness, stress, hunger (ketosis), eating certain foods such as garlic and onions, smoking, or poor oral hygiene.
Many people have bouts of bad breath has explained by the effects of strong smelling food and drink. Bad breath can be a sign of a health problem such as gum disease, tooth decay, or diabetes.
Bad Breath Causes
Almost everything we put into our mouth, particulary food and drink, can make it smell less pleasant. For the majority of people, the most frequent cause of bad breath is associated with bacteria that live in the mouth, particularly on the tongue. This bacteria can build-up as a result of poor oral hygiene and a lack of flossing.
Brush your tongue when you brush your teeth and after meals too. The tongue is like a lint catcher and it has to be cleaned off every so often to get that nice aroma to come through.
Wash the tongue with baking soda dissolved in warm water to reduce the acidity in your mouth making a less-friendly environment for the bacteria to grow.
Parsley, coriander, basil, rosemary, thyme, wintergreen, cardamom seeds, cinnamon bark, clove, fennel or anise seeds are great breath fresheners. Slowly chew any of these herbs and allow the saliva to build up in your mouth.
Chew peppermint or carnation for better breath smell.
This remedy is one of the good home remedy for bad breath using coffee : Grind the fresh beans with few cardamom seeds and make into a reviving cup to be drunk without milk first thing in the morning (but avoid if you also have a hangover). This will help in curing bad breath.
Cloves are a strong antiseptic. Make a tea by putting 3 whole or 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves in 2 cups of hot water, and steep for 20 minutes, stirring infrequently. Pour through a well strainer and use as a mouthwash or gargle two times in a day. This is one of the good Home Remedy for Bad Breath.
Use a tongue scraper, which helps to remove dead cells, food particles and bacteria from the tongue. A tongue scaper is a special plastic instrument found in drug stores and some health food stores, that costs several dollars. In Ayurveda, a thick coating on the tongue is called “ama” and is thought to be caused by improper or incomplete digestion. Tongue cleaning with a scaper is recommended as a daily regimen to remove ama. The key is to do it gently and to rinse your mouth thoroughly afterward. If you can’t find a tongue scraper, use a toothbrush to clean your tongue
Rinse your mouth before sleeping with a glass of water with the juice of half a lemon added.
Bad breath gets worse with poor dental hygiene, a common problem in spite of the presence of several brands of toothpastes and mouthwashes. Millions of people around the world have bad teeth due to a poor diet and bad dental practices. Bad breath that emanates from the mouth may be caused by periodontitis, denture problems, tongue disorders or tooth decay.
For others, bad breath is a product of what they eat. Gorging on garlic and onions is a sure way of polluting your mouth. The foul odor that comes from this practice emanates in the gastrointestinal tract and may persist for hours.
“Other vegetables and spices may also cause bad breath. After this food is dissolved in your stomach and small intestine and the volatile substances are absorbed into your bloodstream, they are carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath,” according to Dr. David E. Larson, editor-in-chief of the “Mayo Clinic Family Health Book.”
“Alcohol behaves in the same fashion, thus allowing measurement of blood alcohol levels by tests of breath. Alcohol itself has almost no odor, however. The characteristic smell in the breath is mainly the odor of other components of the beverage,” Larson added.
For those who don’t drink and smoke, have perfect teeth yet still have bad breath,the source of the problemlies elsewhere. A number of diseases are characterized by halitosis. These include postnasal drip,tonsillitis, adenoids and cirrhosis of the liver often accompanied by a persistent cough with bad-smelling sputum. Such is the case in bronchiectasis, lung abscess, tuberculosis, bronchitis and lung cancer.
“There are several general health problems that can cause a distinctive odor to the breath. Kidney failure can cause a urine-like odor; liver failure may cause an odor sometimes described as ‘fishy.’ Acetone in the breath causes a fruity odor and may occur in diabetics who are developing ketoacidosis or commonly in children with childhood illnesses who have eaten poorly for several days,” Larson explained.
Children may also have bad breath but the problem is usually not as serious as in adults. In most instances, the foul breath will clear up on its own.
“Otherwise healthy children with ‘offensive’ breath should have their teeth, gums, nose and sinuses examined. If no foreign body is seen in the nasal passages and no foul debris between the teeth, and if there are no signs of nasal allergy, gum infection or sinusitis, I would advise less garlic and onions,” said Dr. Gilbert Simon and Marcia Cohen in “The Parents’ Pediatric Companion.” (Next: Are mouthwashes effective?)
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Sharon Bell is an avid health and fitness enthusiast and published author. Many of her insightful articles can be found at the premier online news magazine http://www.HealthLinesNews.com.
Curing bad breath does not need to be an impossible task that you need to throw thousands of dollars into. Follow these simple bad breath curing tips and you could well be on your way to a fresh breath. Bad breath can be caused by a number of reasons; it’s most commonly caused by anaerobic bacteria on the tongue. But there are many causes of bad breath that will not go into today. Here is a great list of tips that can be followed to help relieve you from bad breath.
1, Good Oral Hygiene, this one is a given, but so many people that have bad breath still just don’t do it. Brushing twice a day as a minimum, especially in the morning and night before bed, if you have time, brushing after lunch will help wash away any trapped food particles. Often I will go into our work bathroom and there would be a handful of guys brushing their teeth but they never had bad breath, you see my point.
2, Cleaning the Tongue, that white or yellow coating on your tongue you often see in the morning, well that is a cause of bad breath. Using a tongue cleaner twice a day is a very good idea, but be careful not to damage your taste buds.
3, Drinking Water, a dry mouth is the ideal environment for those nasty bacteria to do their stuff. If you keep it moist it will reduce the growth of bacteria. If you remember the sugar free gum ads advertising that chewing gum after every meal was good for you. They may have been telling the truth.
4, Food, bacteria can actually break down proteins and create such bad smelling products like hydrogen sulphide. So after having food like meat, fish, eggs or milk its especially important to do tips one and two afterwards. Yes onions and garlic will give you an unpleasant breath but that nothing compared so some of the nasty odors bacteria create.
5, Gargling, It’s a really good idea to gargle with warm water after every meal. Some people recommend adding salt to enhance the effect. Otherwise there are some good mouth washes on the market today that are a higher PH which are effective. Bacteria thrive in low PH environments, I little secret is if you don’t want to spend some cash on mouth wash try using baking soda out of your kitchen cupboard, it has the same effect.
So with these useful tips, you will be fresh breathed in no time, but if you find that these do not help. Then you should investigate some of the less common causes of bad breath such as sinus infections and digestive issues or see a dentist; they may be able to spot the problem right away.
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Michael T Rockwell is a senior member of the “Bad Breath Cures Revealed” Team. If you are truly serious about living a life free from the embarrassment and anguish caused by bad breath then when your finished learning about curing bad breath, grab the life changing bad breath cure at www.badbreathcuresrevealed.com or at least take advantage of our FREE “10 Secrets To Curing Bad Breath” mini-course.
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