Articles on Halitosis | Topic: halitosis
by Velda Underwood
It is difficult for a person with bad breath to notice how smelly it really is. They cannot detect their own mouth odor. Full awareness may occur when either someone tells them or when they notice that other people are trying their best to avoid them because of their breath odors. Everyone experiences this from one time to another.
People have more than 400 different types of bacteria in the mouth. Approximately fourteen of these bacteria can cause bad breath by releasing sulfur odors. Halitosis is stimulated by volatile sulfur compounds, which are released by the break down of proteins by bacteria. Most of the odor contributing to bad breath is brought about by anaerobic bacteria, which grow on the back of the tongue. The anaerobic bacteria have beneficial effects. They aid in digestion by breaking down proteins. People suffering from bad breath due to oral causes are found to have abnormally high amounts of anaerobic bacteria in the oral cavity.
Food and tobacco are contributing elements to halitosis, but are not a chief cause. Very spicy foods, such as onions and coffee may be detected on a person's breath for up to 72 hours after digestion. Consider avoiding or limiting the use of certain food types, which are found to increase the problem of bad breath by causing an increase in sulfide production by bacteria. These foods can include garlic, raw onions, cabbage, horseradish, eggs, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, fish, red meat, and peppers. Cigarettes, alcohol and coffee can also wreck havoc on someone who is already experiencing halitosis. Now, if you can't abstain from these foods, be certain to maintain a daily oral hygiene routine that includes brushing, flossing, and rinsing as well as regular appointments to your dental provider.
If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food remain in the mouth, amassing bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Food that collects between the teeth, on the tongue and around the gums can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor. The things you eat contribute largely to your oral health care, including your breath. Items such as garlic and onions, or any food, are absorbed into the bloodstream, become transferred into the lungs, and become expelled in the air you breathe. Until the body eliminates that food, the potential for it affecting a person's breath is present.
What you eat impacts the air you exhale. Once the food is assimilated into the bloodstream, it is transferred to the lungs, where it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily. Odors continue until the body eliminates the food. Dieters may develop caustic breath from infrequent eating. Another complication of food factors and halitosis is the combination of food allergies, which contribute to sinus problems.
| Historical Quote |
While I am to crawl upon this Planet, I would willingly enjoy the health at least of an insect.
| —Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773) |
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Vegan diets are exempt of animal protein and animal fat. Vegetarians, especially vegans, have diets that are lower in saturated fat and trans fat, as well as cholesterol. In addition, those who do not eat animal protein, get more fiber than non-vegetarian diets. Because of this, vegetarians are less likely to develop halitosis. Bad breath that is caused by oral bacteria is primarily produced by the odorous waste products these bacteria create as they digest proteins. This would imply that those persons with a vegetarian diet (diets high in fruit and vegetable consumption) will most likely have less of a problem with chronic bad breath than those who have diets high in protein rich foods such as meat.
Proper cleaning of the mouth is important, particularly after eating foods that are high in protein content. This is because even after we finish meal microscopic particles of food still remain in our mouth. Much of this food debris ends up trapped between our teeth and also in the coating found on the posterior aspect of our tongue. Since these are exactly the same locations in which the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath live, by not cleaning thoroughly a prolonged food supply is provided for these bacteria.
Making sure you drink plenty of water throughout the day will help to assure bad breath is kept at bay. If you become dehydrated your body will try to conserve moisture by reducing your salivary flow, thus minimizing saliva's cleansing and diluting effects on the bacteria and bacterial waste products that are the cause of bad breath. A way to stimulate your mouth's flow of saliva is to chew on something. Chewing gums, breath mints, and lozenges can also be a way of stimulating salivary flow.
In conclusion, clean your mouth after eating proteins to minimize the quantity and period of time these foods are available to the bacterial, which live in your mouth.
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