Bad Breath – Caused By Odor-Producing Bacteria In The Mouth

Introduction

Bad breath is produced by odor-producing bacteria that grow in the mouth. Medically it is named halitosis, and can be the result of poor oral hygiene habits or may be a signal of some other health ailments. It can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which happens when the flow of saliva decreases but it is not contagious, so you cannot catch it or transfer it along to someone else.

Bad breath can also be worsen by the types of foods you consume as well as other bad habits. It’s a problem that is shared by millions of persons in the U.S. and affects 1 in 4 persons on a regular basis.

Bacteria

Bacteria, like humans, go through their lives eating foods and excreting wastes. If you don’t brush and floss daily, particles of food stay in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dentures that are not cleaned correctly can also harbor odor-creating bacteria and food particles.

Millions of bacteria live in our mouths, especially on the back of the tongue. The mouth’s warmth and moist conditions are ideally suited for the growth of these bacteria. Plaque is a great place for bacteria to live and yet another reason why your breath can become foul. Oral hygiene helps to stop the build-up of the bacteria that forms on your teeth, tongue and gums that creates halitosis. Brush your tongue, too, because bacteria can grow there.

Treatment

If you have bad breath, you might want to start by asking your dentist about treatment options. If your dentist decides that your mouth is healthy and that the odor does not originate from the mouth, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the reason for the odor and treatment.

As of now, chronic halitosis is not very well understood by most MDs and dentists, so effective remedies are not always easy to find. A key ingredient to look out for in a product for treatment is Zinc Acetate. This is on top as a controlling agent for volatile sulphur and volatile organic compounds (the actual “smelly stuff” for halitosis). It is not intended and should not be considered a substitute for personal hands on dental/medical attention, diagnosis or treatment.

Conclusion

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical problem, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailments. It can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which can come about when the flow of saliva decreases. When caused by chronic sinusitis it may keep returning, especially if it is caused by a structural abnormality of the sinuses. Halitosis that comes from a systemic illness may be a long-term problem. It may be transient, often vanishing after eating, brushing one’s teeth, flossing, and rinsing with specialised mouthwash. It may also be persistent (chronic), which is a more serious condition, affecting some twenty five percent of the population in varying degrees. If you’re troubled about your breath, please talk to your dentist.

Ricardo Henri is the owner of Natural Remedies,Treatments And Cures,a website containing extensive information about caring for your own health containingout depending on medications and needless surgery. Subscribe to his monthly newsletter @ rapid natural remedies or rapid natural treatments

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