How, why and what causes bad breath?
Factors that promote a bad breath mini environment
Periodontal (Gum) Disease definitely is a cause of bad taste, and can also be a cause of bad breath. Hydrogen Sulfide and Methyl Mercaptans are toxic as well as malodorous; they can damage cells and thus may be a factor in gum disease. So if you have a Methyl Mercaptan smell you should have your dentist check you for gum disease.
Dry mouth is a common trigger for bad breath. Dry mouth causes oxygen deprivation, and increases the number of anaerobic bacteria. This oxygen deprivation could also be one of the reasons that halitosis patients have a low concentration of Streptococcus salivarius (an aerobic bacteria naturally occurring in healthy mouths). Dry mouth is a very complex issue and can be caused by factors such as alcohol or ethanol based mouthwash, prescription medication, over the counter medication, dieting or infrequent eating, smoking, acidic drinks or diet drinks. Also stress can cause dry mouth.
We recommend the Recaldent product range and our Breeze Oral Gel and Triclosan Rinse to provide relief for dry mouth sufferers. Also the Recaldent range has been shown to stop small tooth decay lesions that can commonly occur in dry mouth patients. These products are offered as an option when you purchase our Breath Starter Kit.
Post Nasal Drip is probably the next biggest cause of breath problems. Post nasal drip means you are making excess mucus that gathers in the sinus and nasal passages, back of throat, tongue, and tonsil area. This mucus is an excellent food source high in protein. Anaerobic bacteria can easily metabolize nasal mucus to make smelly mouth compounds. PND is made worse by people’s environment, and allergy status. It is also heightened by dairy products, that tend to thicken the mucus. Constant clearing of your throat or the feeling of a lump in the throat is also a sign that you are collecting phlegm and mucus and therefore promoting the anaerobic bacteria growth.
We recommend the Fess natural nasal sprays with Saline and Eucalyptus to help thin and remove nasal mucus daily. This range is excellent in cleaning the nasal passages and back of the throat (the areas where mucus collects). These products are offered as an option when you purchase our Breath Starter Kit.
Genetic Predisposition also can cause bad breath. If you are low in bacterial counts of the protective Streptococcus salivarius bacteria, then you will be prone to getting bad breath as well as other mouth diseases. Genetics will also determine tongue shape. Certain tongues are very difficult to clean and can trap bacteria and mouth compounds that cause bad breath.
KFORCE has been specifically developed to replace S. salivarius K12 into mouths that are deficient in this good bacteria. Then we recommend that ongoing maintenance be done with the BREEZE range of pastes, gels and mouthwash to help keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Medications are a major cause of bad breath. Seven out of the top ten prescribed medicines have dry mouth as a side effect of usage. Typically, they are antidepressants, high blood pressure medications, antihistamines, decongestants, indigestion, and medications containing female hormones (including estrogens and/or progesterone therapies & even birth control pills).
Certain foods can cause bad breath. Milk, cheese, yoghurt, ice cream, etc are probably the worst for your breath. For the majority of the population, the Lactose protein found in dairy foods cannot be broken down because of a lack of a specific enzyme (lactase). The fat content does not matter; it’s the protein content that counts. (Skim milk is just as bad as cream). This condition is known as “Lactose Intolerance”. The problem is that these “bad breath” bacteria can break down the lactose proteins (which are full of Sulphur) to produce odour and bad tastes. My recommendation is to STAY AWAY from dairy foods as much as possible. Also Onions and Garlic will create bad breath instantly. It’s because, on a molecular basis, they already contain the same odorous sulphur compounds (Mercaptans) produced by these bacteria. Also any foods that contain sugar can add to breath problems. This is because sugar is an excellent nutritional medium.
Hormonal changes can cause bad breath. Some women notice a change related to their menstrual cycle. It has to do with the way hormones control the concentration of saliva. When the saliva is “thicker” it’s a sign that less Oxygen is present, and then the whole process of sulphur production is initiated.
Smoking is one of the major causes of bad breath, gum disease, and heart disease. When you smoke you are effectively starving the mouth of oxygen, thus promoting the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria that create the smelly sulphur products. Unfortunately smoking is addictive and therefore not easy to cut down or quit. Consider that if you smoke you need to be paranoid about your breath. It is therefore essential that all smokers use some form of breath system as well as breath chewing gum during the day to help keep adequate supply of saliva and oxygen to the mouth. If you smoke ask your dentist on some of the ways to kick the habit.
Alcohol is a very good drying agent, and therefore should be avoided when ever possible. It drastically increases the numbers of anaerobic bacteria and is a major cause of dry mouth. Apart from this fact alcohol is known to cause pre cancerous changes to oral tissue. This also includes the alcohol found in most commercial mouthwash.
Stress has a lot to do with bad breath. When you are undergoing “Stress”, it is part of your parasympathetic nervous system, of which you have no control (such as inhaling and exhaling). The fact is that when you are under stress – your mouth gets dry, and as I’ve stated before, your breath gets worse. It’s sort of like when you are sitting in a large lecture hall, and out of nowhere, you are asked to speak to the crowd…your mouth starts to get dry…. and you are unable to speak because you have little or no saliva. This can lead to bad breath instantly.
Written by Ting Ting on June 27th, 2006 with
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