Many, if not all of us, have experienced halitosis in our life. Yes, that is the medical term for bad breath. Perhaps you have noticed bad breath first thing in the morning when waking up or late during the day, and the reasons why bad breath happens are not a secret.

Everything that has to do with the mouth, or the body, is multifactorial, but it is well known that the main culprit for bad breath is attributed to volatile sulfur compounds producing bacteria. 

These bacteria are found in the tongue and back of the throat. Therefore, a heavily coated tongue might carry more of these volatile molecules and create very unpleasant odors.

According to researchers, we carry over 500 types of bacteria in the oral cavity and taking into consideration our body temperature and humidity of the mouth, it creates a perfect environment for bacteria to thrive.

Bacteria is not easy to control, but with proper oral hygiene and staying hydrated, we can reduce frequent episodes of bad breath.

How to prevent Bad Breath?

Hydration plays a key role in the mouth since saliva is composed of mostly water, and a dry mouth will lead to bacterial growth, therefore to bad breath. The leading role of saliva is to act as a buffer against acids and wash off food and debris from oral tissues.

For example, while we sleep, saliva secretions decrease since there is no movement in the mouth and bacterial activity increases, therefore we get a bad breath in the morning.

Many medications can decrease the flow of saliva, so it is important to have in mind the side effects of some drugs. If that is the case, there are dry mouth supplements that help increase moisture in the mouth and saliva flow. Chemotherapy and radiation are also known to cause
dry mouth.

Other medications’ side effects can cause gum enlargement. Enlarged gums create pockets between the teeth and gum tissue and provide a space for bacteria to the harbor, plaque to grow, and food debris to get impacted.

Other reasons for oral malodor are intraoral conditions such as deep cavities which can cause infections on the surrounding tooth tissue, broken teeth can retain food and plaque accumulation and gum disease, including both gingivitis and periodontitis, create a place for bacteria to grow.

Although not common, there is a chance that oral malodor can originate from other parts of the body. Respiratory, gastrointestinal, hepatic, and endocrine conditions such as diabetes, can contribute to bad breath. 

After all, it is said the mouth is the window to the body.

To prevent and reduce bad breath, it is important to stay hydrated and visit your doctor at least once a year, do an annual dental exam, perform at least two dental cleanings a year and keep good oral hygiene at home by brushing, flossing, rinsing, and scrapping the tongue daily.

Jennifer Pettit, CRDH.

If you have any questions or need more information, you can contact us!