Causes Of Halitosis

Most people think that bad breath is caused only by poor dental
hygiene However,chronic bad breath,a condition known as
halitosis,can stem from various medical problems,dry mouth and
even the Atkins diet
If you have a consistent bad breath problem it is wise to visit
your dentist in order to determine the cause of the
problemThere are several possible reasons for bad breath such
as dental decay, or gum diseaseThe dentist can diagnose other
problems which cause bad breath including yeast infections of
the mouth,dental caries,poorly fitting dental appliances and
periodontal disease
The medical condition dry mouth – also called xerostomia – can
also cause bad breathAnything that dries the mouth makes bad
breath worse, because saliva cleanses the mouthWhen there is
not enough saliva in your mouth to wash away food particles and
bacteria, bad breath can resultAlcohol, alcohol-containing
mouthwashes,fasting and heavy exercise can all result in a dry
mouth and worsen a bad breath problemDrugs associated with
producing dry mouth may also produce bad breath -
antidepressants,blood pressure treatments,diuretics and
antihistamines
Bacteria on the back of the tongue are one of the commonest
causes of bad breathThe bacteria produces a number of odors
including volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) which are believed to
be the major cause of halitosisSome people with bad breath have
a white or grayish coating on their tongueTongue cleaning is by
far the most effective way of combating bad breath
Many people have occasional bad breath, often on first
awakening,or following an evening of alcoholic partyingCertain
foods like garlic and onions can produce bad breath but only on
a temporary basis
A deficiency of vitamin B and zinc may be the cause of your bad
breathSmoking can also cause bad breath,reduce your ability to
taste foods,stain teeth and irritate gum tissues
Many medical problems can have bad breath as a side effect -
such as kidney disease,cancer,lung problems,infections of the
throat,tuberculosis,gastroesophageal reflux,uncontrolled
diabetes,allergies and sinusitis
Most toothpastes can be a cause of bad breath because the stuff
that makes the foam actually promotes production of volatile
sulfur compoundsMany of the mints and washes people use to
combat halitosis dry out gum tissue and only cover bad breath
However, mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide are very
effective at combating bad breath
The Bad Breath Test
It is possible to suffer from bad breath without being aware of
itSome people suggest a simple test which you can do yourself
to detect bad breathThe best way to find out if you have bad
breath is to lick your wrist,wait ten seconds,and then smell
your wrist
There are individuals who suffer from halitophobia and believe
that they have bad breath,but no physical or social evidence
exists to suggest that halitosis is present
What Can You Do?
Avoid bad breath by drinking lots of waterDrink peppermint tea,
spiked with a pinch of anise or cinnamon
One traditional bad breath cure which is backed up by modern
research is yoghurt Japanese researchers found eating the
yoghurt reduced levels of hydrogen sulfide – a major cause of
bad breath
If you get a case of bad breath which persists despite good
oral hygiene, consult your dentist and physician

Tags | appliances, dental, hygiene, infections, lung, particles, periodontal, problem, problems, result, saliva, sulfur, tissues, volatile