Causes of bad breath?
Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day-to-day activities of many people
The offensive odor from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers. The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression.
The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.
Literally speaking all human beings are badbreathres. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like Fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrifies them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, cadaverine, skatol, putrescine ect causing bad odor.
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly all will suffer from bad breath. Most of us control this by regular brushing, tongue cleaning, and gargling. Even after maintaining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which have to be diagnosed and treated properly.
Some common causes of bad breath.
1) Poor oral hygiene:
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep, there is less production of saliva. Saliva has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which are needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in its quantity during sleep makes a favorable condition for anaerobic bacteria.
2) Food habits:
The main cause of the bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favors bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes, nuts, pear, and ect can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce the particular type of smell which may be unpleasant.
Raw onion can produce a typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts can also produce bad smell. However, if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in the timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.