The most common cause of bad breath is bacteria on the tongue and teeth. These bacteria cause gum and bone disease, toxic chemicals and produce unpleasant smells. For instance rotten egg, fecal, metallic and rotting cabbage. They are called volatile sulphur compounds or VSC’s and indicate that there is presence of an oral infection. In addition, Bacteria in your mouth will feed off of organic matter. That organic matter is YOU! In other words, all the living tissue and dead cells in your mouth, as well as proteins in your saliva, feed the oral bacteria.
Diet, poor eating habits or reflux disorder can cause bad breath. In addition, calcified material in tonsils, known as tonsilloliths, are very smelling.
The most dedicated brusher and flosser will not kick a chronic bad breath problem. Moreover, many bad breath sufferers are great at keeping their mouths clean. Research shows that 50% of the population suffer from bad breath, (halitosis), or a bad taste problem. Above all, bad breath affects us emotionally, physiologically and socially.
Another cause of bad breath
No one like to be rejected by our peers because of a lack of care from our part. It is also unlikely that we’ll find people honest enough to tell us to get our bad breath checked. Therefore it is our responsibility to ask the dental hygienist if our bad breath is under control, if any.
Websites like oravital.com and similarly the links below can offer great information on other causes of bad breath.
One way of knowing if your breath is offensive is by licking your wrist. Indeed, lick your wrist, wait a few seconds and then smell it. No…..it’s not a trick!
In conclusion don’t hesitate to talk about breath issues with your Dental Hygienist, that’s what we’re here for.
