Tuesday, September 6, 2011

Some common causes of bad breath.

Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day-to-day activities of so many people. The offensive odor from the mouth can be really unpleasant to those who come in close contact with people who suffer from bad breath. As people suffering from bad breath are slowly isolated from society, it affects all their relationships and can even lead to marital discord. All this can lead to psychological trauma resulting in depression.
Literally speaking all human beings suffer from bad breath some time or the other. Oral cavities contain millions of anaerobic bacteria which act on the protein of food materials and putrefy them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide etc causing bad odor. So, it is very important that proper oral hygiene is maintained at all times. Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals may suffer from offensive breath due to various medical causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.


1) Poor oral hygiene:

Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva and the mouth becomes dry. As saliva has got some antibacterial properties, it prevents the multiplication of anaerobic bacteria. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which make the oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.

2) Food habits:

The main cause of bad breath is the degradation of proteins by bacteria and hence all food items rich in protein can cause bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes and nuts etc can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce particular type of smell which may be unpleasant. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath.

3) Biofilm:

Biofilm is the formation of a thin sticky coating on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior region of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen. This thick coating on the tongue is a breeding ground for bacteria and can cause bad breath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favorable for bacterial proliferation.

4) Dental caries:

This is a destructive process causing decalcification with destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavities in the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli. Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrefied completely. Caries are common in school-going children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene. Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also cause a predisposition for dental caries.

5) Gingivitis:

Gum is a mucus membrane with supporting connective tissue covering the tooth. Gingivitis is the inflammation of the gum. Various causes can result in gum tissues getting infected resulting in swelling, pain and discharge of pus. If the condition becomes worse the infection spread towards periodontal area leading to continuous discharge which is called pyorrhea. After brushing the teeth, the simple practice of massaging the gums with the finger tips will keep them healthy.