WHAT is bad breath anyway? It results from odour-causing bacteria that create waste materials in the mouth. Food particles get trapped in creases and grooves, especially in the fissures of the tongue, and become food for bacteria. When these bacteria feed, they release gaseous waste products that cause foul-smelling odours known as volatile sulphur compounds. The odour of these gases is like that of rotten eggs. You probably know what that smells like!
Chances are you have never been thrown out of anywhere for having bad breath, but I know a few husbands who have been banished to the couch. Bad breath is bad news for relationships. Some people start seeing nice guys or girls, and while things look pretty good, unfortunately, they don’t smell very good.
We all have bad breath sometimes. Bad breath comes in two types: transient and chronic. Transient bad breath is short-lasting and usually comes from eating foods such as garlic or onions. It can also be simple morning breath. As we sleep, saliva production decreases, allowing bacteria to proliferate. The result is morning breath. Chronic bad breath is the long-lasting type that makes people wince. I like to refer to this as the “long-term relationship killer”, and this is also called halitosis.
Let us look at common factors that can lead to both types of bad breath. If you don’t remove tiny bits of food from your mouth and between your teeth through proper brushing and flossing, bad breath can result. Also, if you have gingivitis or gum disease, you will harbour much more bacteria than usual. If you don’t scrape your tongue properly, the film of bacteria in the little crevices of your tongue can produce an unpleasant smell. Up to 90 per cent of bad breath comes from the back of your tongue! In addition to the normal accumulation of bacteria here, millions of people suffer from post-nasal drip, sometimes without realising it. The mucus that drips down onto the back of the tongue is broken down by your mouth’s bacteria, causing even more odour.
Also called xerostomia, dry mouth results from low saliva due to age, medication, or loss of salivary glands from surgery or radiation therapy. Beyond bad breath, it can lead to tooth decay and gum disease because saliva helps clean and protect the mouth and teeth. Over-the-counter artificial saliva replacement, an artificial version of what your mouth normally produces, helps some patients.
Hundreds of medications, especially for diabetes, can cause dry mouth. As mentioned, you can buy artificial saliva that can help keep your mouth lubricated, or you can chew sugar-free gum.
When you diet, your body goes into a survival mode called ketosis. When you fast or diet, your body produces stomach fluids called ketones, which give off an odour that isn’t quite the same as the usual bad-breath smell caused by bacteria alone. Smoking is also a major culprit because it dries out the mouth and leaves a foul-smelling residue. Alcohol also dries out your mouth and prevents saliva from keeping bacteria in check. A small percentage of people with bad breath are suffering from serious illnesses, such as liver problems, cancer, lung abscesses or tonsillitis. When all else fails to indicate a cause for bad breath, you should consult a physician.
Finally, having bad breath is not like having body odour. You cannot just take a shower, change your clothes, and have it go away. It requires consultation with your dentist, diligent oral care and a change in lifestyle.