Bad Breath - Affects 1 In 4 U.S. Citizens!
INTRODUCTION: Bad breath is created by odor-producing bacteria that breed in the mouth. Medically it is named halitosis, and can come from poor oral hygiene habits and may be a sign of other health conditions. It can also be produced by dry mouth (xerostomia), which happens when the flow of saliva decreases but it is not contagious, so you cannot catch it or pass it along to others.
Bad breath can also be worsen by the kinds of foods you eat and other bad habits. It’s a condition that is shared by millions of people in the USA and affects 1 in 4 people on a regular basis.
BACTERIA: Germs, just like people, go through their lives consuming foods and eliminating wastes. If you don’t brush and floss daily, bits of food remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can create bad breath. Dentures that are not cleaned properly can also harbor odor-producing micro-organisms and food particles.
Millions of germs live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. The mouth’s warmth and moist conditions are ideally suited for the growth of these bacteria. Plaque is a great place for micro-organisms to live and yet another reason why your breath can turn smelly. Oral hygiene helps to prevent the build-up of the bacteria that forms on your teeth, tongue and gums that produce halitosis. Brush your tongue, also, since bacteria can grow there.
TREATMENT: If you have bad breath, you may want to begin by talking to your dentist about treatment options. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the smell does not originate from the mouth, you may be referred to your family MD or to a specialist to determine the origin of the odor and treatment.
At the moment, chronic halitosis is not very well understood by most Doctors and dentists, so effective treatment is not always easy to find. A prime ingredient to look for in a product for treatment is Zinc Acetate. This is number one as a controlling agent for volatile sulphur and volatile organic compounds (the actual “smelling stuff” of halitosis). It is not intended and should not be construed as a substitute for real hands on dental/medical attention, diagnosis or treatment.
CONCLUSION: Bad breath may be the signal of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances, liver or kidney ailments. It can also be caused by xerostomia (dry mouth), which occurs when the flow of saliva diminishes. When caused by chronic sinusitis it may keep returning, especially if it is caused by a structural abnormality of the sinuses.
Halitosis that results from a systemic illness may be a long-term problem. It may be transient, often disappearing after eating, brushing one’s teeth, flossing, and rinsing with specialised mouthwash. It may also be persistent (chronic), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees. If you′re concerned about your breath, please see your dentist.
Tags: Fitness
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.
