Bad breath, also known as Halitosis, is an unpleasant smell that emanates from the mouth. Sometimes an individual is completely unaware of the problem until informed by a member of the family or a friend. Suffering from chronic bad breath can be a cause of embarrassment.
Bad breath is caused by the breakdown of protein by bacteria in the mouth. When the bacteria feed on food and breakdown the proteins they produce a byproduct known as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC). Volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) include gases such as hydrogen sulphide and mercaptan mix. When these gases mix with the mouth air, they create unpleasant or bad odor.
Halitosis or chronic bad breath is caused by the kind of food that is eaten. Certain foods like garlic, ginger and onions are absorbed in the bloodstream and passed on to the lungs, from where they are excreted, and because they are strong smelling they cause bad breath.
Periodontal (gum) disease or tooth decay leads to accumulation of sticky, colorless bacteria on the teeth and gums. The bacteria irritate the gums and creates bad odor. Dry mouth or xerostomia is another cause for chronic bad breath. Saliva acts as a natural mouthwash which cleanses the mouth of bacteria that creates bad smell. Prolonged dryness of mouth does not wash the bacteria from the mouth and leads to bad breath.
Alcohol and medications when exhaled through lungs mix with the air in the mouth and creates a foul smell. Poor digestion and stomach ailments have also been noted as a reason of chronic bad breath. Prolonged dieting or fasting is another cause of bad breath. The body begins to breakdown fat and protein when starved for too long and this metabolism produces bad odor.
Other reasons leading to chronic bad breath include throat infections, sinusitis, gastritis, bronchitis, liver and kidney ailments, hormonal changes, stagnation of food in the stomach and poor oral hygiene.
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