Bad breath is a common problem affecting around three out of every 10 persons in the world. In the medical parlance bad breath is also known as Halitosis or Stomatodysodia or Ozostomia or Fetor Oris. Bad breath in the mouth is caused by a cohort of anaerobic bacteria which are found beneath the surface of the tongue, throat and tonsil area. These bacteria help in the digestion of food more particularly proteins present in the food. While working on food digestion, these bacteria release sulphur compounds from the back of tongue and throat. Hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan, and other foul smelling and tasting compounds known as volatile sulphur compounds are excreted as waste by the bacteria. The presence of these volatile sulphur compounds in the mouth causes bad breath.
Oswal Dental Clinic, a renowned dental hospital in Pune suggests the following ways by which we can battle bad breath:
• Good Oral Hygiene: Brushing, Flossing and Rinsing the mouth regularly keeps the mouth fresh and removes any food residue in the mouth. Food trapped between the teeth and plaque (the sticky layer that builds up on the teeth) cause bad breath. Rinsing the mouth with an alcohol free mouthwash helps in checking bad breath and also helps in getting rid of bacteria. Scrubbing and scraping the surface of the tongue is very important as it helps in cleaning the tongue of the bacteria and bad odour. Gum diseases can also cause bad breath. So it is important to keep the gums healthy. A Periodontist is a gum specialist who treats gum diseases.
• Moisten your mouth: Drinking plenty of water during the day helps in producing saliva and keeps the mouth moist. Saliva prevents the formation of plaque and bacteria. Tooth decay and bad odour occur when the mouth is dry and does not produce enough saliva.
• Avoid foods that produce bad odour: Food items like onion and garlic give out a pungent smell which contributes to bad odour. Tobacco is also one of the biggest offenders of good breath. Smoking not only damages the gums and stains the teeth, it also leaves a bad smell in the mouth. Avoid sugar laden mints and chewing gums. Instead you can opt for sugar-free chewing gums that help in producing saliva which is a natural protector of the teeth.
• Oxygenate your mouth: The presence of the bacteria in the mouth is equally important as it helps in food digestion. The bacteria are helpful in breaking down the proteins into amino acid which is an important aspect of digestion. Introduction of oxygenating compounds in the oral environment will interrupt the bacteria’s chemical production odours and thus help in treating bad breath. The anaerobic bacteria (the ones that thrive without oxygen) find it difficult to function in an oxygenated environment. As a solution Doctors prescribe toothpastes and mouthwashes containing oxygenating agents like chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite in order to keep the odour producing bacteria in control.
As the proverb goes,”prevention is better than cure”. It is better to develop good oral habits rather than treating bad breath. A balanced diet with a lot of fibrous fruits and vegetables rich in vitamin B, C, D and E along with plenty of water will help in maintaining good health. An apple a day helps in keeping the mouth moist and thus prevents bad breath. Drinking black and green teas helps in eliminating the sulphur compounds and reduces bad breath. It is important to address problems like snoring and sleep apnea as they might cause the mouth to dry and in turn may lead to bad smell. Avoid Antidepressants, Pain killers and Antihistamine as they cause dryness of the mouth and lead to bad breath.
Dr. Nitin Oswal
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