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CAUSES:
The majority of bad breath problems begin in the mouth.
- Bad breath that is of oral cavity origin can be traced to a sulfur compound produced by bacteria. Dead and dying bacterial cells release this sulfur compound which gives the breath an unpleasant odor.
- Bacterial plaque and food debris accumulate on the back of the tongue. The tongue's surface is extremely rough and bacteria can accumulate easily in the cracks and crevices. Large amounts of sulfur compounds can be produced in this area, making it a frequent site of origin for bad breath.
- The tooth attracts bacteria containing plaque and if not cleaned regularly and thoroughly, this can result in large accumulations of bacteria which result in bad breath.
- People who have periodontitis often experience bad breath because of bacteria accumulating in areas that are not cleaned easily, such as deep pockets around teeth.
- Fortunately, treatment is very effective for people who have bad breath of mouth origin.
Other reasons for bad breath (other than the mouth) are:
- infections, especially in the sinuses or lungs
- diabetes mellitus (acetone smell to the breath)
- kidney failure (can produce a fishy odor)
- malfunction of the liver
- disorders of metabolism (foul, fishy odor that comes and goes and may be difficult to diagnose)
- fasting (when the body is not provided with fuel in the form of food, fat and protein will begin to be broken down; the result is bad odor from the waste products of this metabolism)
If your bad breath continues once potential oral health problems have been treated, see your doctor to rule out any other causes.
Oral health treatment:
- Treatment begins with a complete oral examination and health history, you may have an "odor-meter" test done. This test can accurately measure the volatile sulfur gases and the extent of a halitosis problem.
- Periodontal disease and /or cavities should be treated and repaired.
- Oral infections must be eliminated or impacted teeth may need to be removed.
- Good oral hygiene must be stressed, including cleaning the teeth and tongue. Once the oral infection is treated and cured, mouthrinses and toothpastes may have some effectiveness in managing oral odor. Ask your oral health professional for a product that may be helpful to you.
Bad breath sufferers should feel encouraged to seek treatment because of the high success rate in managing the problem.
Source: Your Health Encyclopedia, 4-rd Edition, 2002
Last Revised at December 4, 2007 by Harutyun Medina, M.D.
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| Toothbrushes |
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 Following are some oral hygiene aides for special conditions that may interfere with use of ordinary toothbrushes. Comments about products are the sole opinion of the author and not intended as endorsement or promotion, and there is no commercial relation with any company named. Contact the manufactureres for additional information about the products.
Gagging
Most adult-size toothbrushes are a bit large for people of smaller stature and may cause gag reflex in sensitive mouths, especially when brushing the rearmost molars. People with hair-trigger gag reflex might shy away from brushing the rearmost teeth in order to avoid gagging, but this can lead to many other dental problems.
Smaller children-size brushes can be used by gag-prone adults to reduce gag reflex. The smaller brushes are just as effective as adult ones, but it takes a little longer to brush. An adult brush could be used for the front or forward teeth, and then switch to a child brush for the back molars. Also, try to breath through the nose while brushing.
Wide spaces around bridgework or exposed root surfaces, orthodontic braces, loss of teeth or gum tissue can result in areas between teeth that are difficult to reach with ordinary brushes or floss. Orthodontic treatment involving braces or attachements to teeth are difficult to clean around.
The brushheads are either cone-shaped or round cylinders, range in length from one-half inch to an inch (10-25 mm) and a few millimeters in diameter. It's wise to request personal instruction in the use of proxy-type brushes from a dentist or dental hygienist, as incorrect brushing might damage the teeth or gums.
Toothroots that are exposed due to gum recession or surgery are not covered with enamel like the crown-portion of the tooth. Roots can be abraded or worn away quickly if brushed as vigorously as enamel, leading to tooth sensitivity. It's important to keep hard-to-reach areas clean, but it must be done carefully.
See also:
Periodontal Disease & Diabetes
What is Plaque?
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