As I'm sure you can guess, there are many causes of halitosis. The primary cause, however, is the presence of sulfur-producing bacteria. Making their home deep within the throat and the surface of the tongue, these bacteria are referred to as being anaerobic ("without oxygen") because they thrive in oxygen-free environments.
I know, I know... You have oxygen passing over your tongue all the time, so there's no way anaerobic bacteria could possibly survive there... Right?
If these bacteria actually lived way up on the outer surface of your tongue, that would be true. However, they live deep within the surface where the papillae, or fibers, join the main body of the tongue. Generally, Oxygen is unable to reach those places.
Now, you may find this hard to believe, but the presence of these bacteria really is normal and good. They have an important task. They're responsible for breaking down proteins found in specific foods. However, proteins are also found in oral and sinus secretions which find their way to the tongue and back of the throat as well as in blood and diseased oral tissue.
The breakdown process produces a number of compounds such as Hydrogen Sulfide and Methyl Mercaptan. Loaded with sulfur, the breakdown of these compounds creates unpleasant odors and tastes. When the bacteria break down proteins at the typical rate, everything's fine. From time to time, however, conditions occur which cause the bacteria to process proteins more rapidly or which cause the bacteria to reproduce more quickly. These situations are the primary causes of halitosis. As other factors come into play, the process may accelerate, producing unbelievably horrible bad breath.
From the 30,000-foot view, the secondary causes of halitosis include post-nasal drip, problems with the sinuses, drinking coffee, eating protein-dense foods as well as foods in several other categories, and a dry mouth.
When you have a problem with post-nasal drip, the back of your tongue and throat will be coated with protein-rich mucous. That's the white coating you can see. We've already discussed what happens when anaerobic bacteria have protein on which to feed. To those little guys, a post-nasal drip is a protein smorgasbord.
Many doctors and their patients mistakenly believe that sinus surgery will eliminate or at least reduce bad breath. What they fail to understand, however, is that anaerobic bacteria do not inhabit the sinuses. One of the world's foremost authorities on the causes of halitosis, Dr. Harold Katz, says, "After personally treating nearly 9,000 people worldwide, I have yet to see a patient get rid of his bad breath following sinus surgery."
Drink much coffee? Coffee contains acids which promote more rapid reproduction of anaerobic bacteria. Decaffienated or regular coffee... It's all the same. Both contain high levels of acid. Coffee drinking in combination with smoking is one of the major causes of halitosis
In addition to onions and garlic, four types of food will stimulate anaerobic bacteria and lead to increased sulfur production. The four types are drying agents, foods high in proteins, sugars, and acids.
Finally, anything that makes your mouth dryer reduces the amount of saliva present in your mouth. Naturally Oxygen-rich, saliva helps reduce the number of anaerobic bacteria present in your mouth and throat. The less saliva you have, the more favorable the environment for anaerobic bacteria to thrive. Drinking alcoholic beverages, using a mouthwash containing alcohol, smoking, taking any of a variety of prescription or over-the-counter medications... Any or all of these things can result in dry mouth.
This article should be seen as an overview of the primary and many of the secondary causes of halitosis. It is by no means an exhaustive list of factors that may influence breath problems. Read some of the other articles on our site for ideas on how to treat your particular problem.
Return from Causes of Halitosis to
Kiss Bad Breath Goodbye Home
No comments:
Post a Comment