Bad Breath Article

 

Chronic bad breath

Halitosis is most often caused by the breakdown of food particles by bacteria that inhabit our mouths. These bacteria are often found under plaque, in the spaces between teeth and gums and in the deeper crevices on your tongue. As the bacteria feed on food debris, they produce a byproduct called volatile sulfur compounds, which includes gases such as hydrogen sulfide which often smells like rotten eggs. Bad breath is also associated with periodontal disease. Pockets are formed in the
gums around teeth, and these begin to widen, and break down adjacent gum tissue. The deeper pockets get, the more they capture food, and provide even more places for bacteria to hide. This becomes a vicious cycle as the bacteria grow in ever-increasing pockets, which then produce more and more VSC.

Role of the dentists and other health professionals

Dentists and other health professionals use gas measurement devices called heliometers to determine the quantities of these gases, and to determine where they are coming from. With a combination of professional dental help and special hygiene routines, most cases of halitosis can be successfully treated. After ruling out the mouth, the tongue and infected teeth, the next area to investigate is the nose and the nasal passages. If a person is suffering from sinusitis or another bacterial infection, a blockage of the airway or dry nasal mucous it can lead to bad breath. To discern whether the odor is coming from the mouth or the nose will take the efforts of a dentist or a very good friend.

Important habits to be developed for having a good breath

If the patient breathes our through their nose and the odor is similar to that exiting the mouth, the nose is most likely the culprit. In this case an ear, nose and throat doctor should be contacted for further investigation of the problem. A child may have a foreign object lodged in the nasal passages and that can result in a very bad odor. A dry mouth which can be caused by medications or stress can cause bad breath. If this is the cause some chewing gum to get the juices flowing again should remedy the situation. Flossing is a very important habit to develop. It has been shown that people who make a habit of flossing have cleaner, more pleasant smelling mouths. The floss removes the buildup of bacteria from between the teeth. A Bacterium is lodged in the mouth are a very common source of mouth odor.

Bad breath help
Bad breath can extremely be embarrassing for anybody socializing with people. When you've been a little too close to someone with bad breath for your own comfort it is much more embarrassing. Trying to avoid breathing bad too deeply when near a...

Bad breath in infants
While it's not a life-or-death problem, bad breath (halitosis) causes embarrassment and self-consciousness for many people. When certain bacteria in the mouth eat, they release airborne compounds that cause bad breath. The bacteria prefer anaerobic,...

Cures for bad breath
Some of the oral bacteria which create the waste products that are responsible for causing bad breath live in the dental plaque that accumulates on and around a person's teeth, both at and below the gum line. A methodical brushing and flossing...

Preventing bad breath
Brushing and flossing are two of the most crucial elements for attacking bad breath. Bacteria that live on our teeth and gums cause bad breath. These bacteria feast on food particles left on our teeth creating volatile sulfur compounds. These sulfur...

Tongue bad breath
The tongue's surface is the main breeding ground for harmful bacteria that attack teeth & gums producing a rotten egg - smelling gases or dragon mouth. Tongue cleaning is necessary, in addition to brushing, for a thorough dislodging of the plaque...