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.
Onions and garlic have a reputation for causing bad breath which lingers long after they have been consumed. These foods contain sulfur compounds which enter the blood stream during the process of digestion, are carried to the lungs and released into the air when we breathe. Other sulfur containing foods include cabbage, cauliflower and turnips.
Anything that dries the mouth and inhibits the flow of saliva can lead to halitosis. Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth by washing away sugars and food particles. We tend to have unpleasant breath when ill with a cold because a stuffed nose leads to breathing through the mouth, causing saliva to evaporate. Disagreeable ‘morning breath’ results from decreased saliva flow overnight. Alcohol dries out the mouth, causing the foul breath associated with heavy drinking.
Bad breath is often cited as one of the many negative consequences of smoking. Odor-carrying chemicals found in tobacco are inhaled into the lungs and exhaled through the mouth, leading to breath that ‘smells like an ashtray’. Smoking is a contributory factor for gum disease, another cause of halitosis.
A variety of health complaints can result in bad breath, especially those relating to the mouth or respiratory system. These include acute dental problems, sinusitis, bronchitis and infections of the nose or throat. Disorders of the stomach or bowel can also lead to unpleasant odors being released in the breath.
If an honest friend or partner has commented on your breath, you can take steps to resolve the situation. Embark on a thorough oral hygiene regime that includes brushing your tongue as well as your teeth, flossing and rinsing your mouth with an anti-bacterial mouthwash. Try removing odor-causing foods from your diet. Cut down on alcohol and tobacco. Visit your dentist if you have unexplained chronic halitosis or any problems with your teeth or gums.
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