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Bad Breath
What is halitosis?
Halitosis, breath
odor, or most commonly bad breath
are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant
odors exhaled in breathing. Though specific odors
can be caused by sometimes serious medical conditions,
bad breath is typically innocuous in itself, and
only causes problems in interpersonal relations
(one's own breath odor is usually undetectable due
to the process of habituation). Whereas odors indicating
underlying pathology can stem in the stomach, lungs,
or bloodstream, most bad breath arises in the mouth
and upper throat.
Though the causes of bad breath odor are not well
understood, the most unpleasant odors are thought
to arise from food trapped in the mouth which is
processed by normal mouth flora. The anaerobic respiration
of such bacteria can yield either a putrescent smell,
or that of sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide
and thiols.
Halitosis
is an oral health condition characterized by consistently
odorous bad breath. Often identifying the cause
of bad breath is the first step toward treating
this preventable condition.
There are just as many causes
of bad breath as there are sources of bacteria
in the mouth. Halitosis
may be caused by the following:
-
certain foods
The things you eat contribute largely to your
oral health care, including your breath. Items
such as garlic and onions, or any food, are
absorbed into the bloodstream, become transferred
into the lungs, and become expelled in the air
you breathe. Until that food becomes eliminated
by the body, the potential for it affecting
a person's breath is present.
-
poor oral healthcare
Without proper and consistent brushing and flossing,
and routine examinations by your dentist, food
remains in the mouth, which is a breeding ground
for bacteria, which, in turn, causes bad
breath. Food that is allowed to collect on the
teeth, gums, and tongue may cause the gums to
rot, which causes an unpleasant odor and taste
in the mouth.
-
improper cleaning of dentures
Dentures that are not cleaned properly may be
collecting bacteria and remaining food particles
which cause bad breath.
-
periodontal disease
One of the primary symptoms of this gum disease
is foul, bad breath, and an unpleasant taste
in the mouth. This condition requires immediate
care by an oral health professional.
-
xerostomia (dry mouth)
This condition is often a large contributor
to halitosis. Characterized by a significant
decrease in saliva production, the mouth is
unable to cleanse itself and remove debris and
particles left behind by food, casing bad breath.
Xerostomia may be caused by certain medications,
a salivary gland disorder, or by continuously
breathing through the mouth, instead of the
nose.
-
tobacco products
Not only do tobacco products such as cigarettes,
cigars, smokeless tobacco, and snuff stain the
teeth and put the body at risk for a host of
diseases, they also contribute to bad breath.
Tobacco users also are at an increased risk
for the following:
periodontal disease
a loss of taste abilities
irritated gums
-
a medical condition
Bad breath may be an indicator or symptom of
any of the following conditions. However, each
individual may experience symptoms differently.
Consult your physician for a diagnosis:
a respiratory infection
-infection of the nose, windpipe, or lungs
-chronic bronchitis
-postnasal drip
-chronic sinusitis
diabetes
a gastrointestinal disorder
a liver or kidney disorder
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