Bad Breath, Halitosis. What Causes It?

What is the main reason for bad breath? Well, according to clinical studies, all that build-up of bacteria on the tongue is to blame. Not only bad breath, but also other maladies of the mouth, even gum disease, have been shown to be somewhat linked to those odour-causing bacteria.

Especially during sleep, the tongue is coated with a plaque film of bacteria and other odour causing compounds. The texture of the tongue is very conducive to housing this unwanted bacteria, which is why, fresh breath is difficult to maintain, even after brushing your teeth.

If you want to effectively remove the film of plaque, brushing your tongue with a toothbrush will not work. You will only stir it up.

A recent report by the American Dental Association News states that the accepted opinion of the experts in the field of halitosis is that the bacteria on the tongue is the main cause of bad breath.

Time Life, "The Medical Advisor", reports that; "When saliva collects in the mouth - particularly in depressions at the back of the tongue - and is digested by oral bacteria, powerful odours can result."

The bacteria release odorous by-products (known as Volatile Sulphur Compounds, or VSCs similar to the gasses released by a rotten egg) as they thrive on the tongue. These "stinkers" also arise from active gum disease. In fact, according to recent research, VSCs may even be the first factor in initiating gum disease.

While volatile sulphur compounds are the principle causative agents of bad breath, the bacteria that live in our mouths also produce other waste products, and some of these have their own unpleasant odours too. A few of these wastes are:

Cadaverine - the smell we associate with corpses

Putrescine - the compound responsible for much of the foul odour produced by decaying meat

Skatole - typically, human faecal matter gives off this smell

Isovaleric acid - the smell of sweaty feet

Some level of this mixture of compounds is to be found in everyones mouth, and there are no exceptions. For most people this can come as quite a surprise.

Normally, we can't even detect these compounds with our noses because the levels are usually very low. But when they increase beyond a certain level, other people can pick them up, and that's when we are said to have "bad breath."

Along with normal mucus productions, food particles left over after eating stay on the tongue and create a nice coating which is an ideal hiding place for the bacteria. Also, the rough texture of the tongue aids in their hiding.

Why is it safe? Because the bacteria are anaerobic, that is, oxygen is lethal to them. So the bacteria, hidden in the safety of the tongues coating, do their "dirty work" releasing odorous gasses in the process.

Not only is this the main cause of bad breath (halitosis), but also reduces our ability to taste food, and dramatically increases the risks of decay setting in. Remember that your health is your wealth, and it is also your responsibility to act to improve the level you are at.

Article Source: http://www.article-heaven.com

Author Del Carl writes and publishes free articles and reports about bad breath and gum disease online at his site. Why not drop by sometime.

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