Bad breath has made people self-conscious for centuries. The ancient Chinese and Egyptians chewed cloves 3,000 years ago; Roman scholar Pliny the Elder (first century A.D.) rubbed his teeth with burnt mouse-dung ashes and honey, then picked out the concoction with a porcupine quill. Modern home remedies have included chewing parsley, fennel seeds or citrus peels, and mouth-rinsing with tea tree oil, vinegar or diluted plain yogurt. Listerine was developed In Missouri in 1879 as an antiseptic to clean wounds; 30 years later it became a popular breath-freshening mouthwash.
Halitosis affects one-third of all Americans and is number three on the list of most common reasons to consult a dentist (behind tooth trouble and checkups). All ages worry about mouth odor: Teenagers often suffer deep embarrassment which can damage their self-esteem and social life.
Americans spend $49 billion annually on oral care products to preserve teeth and fight bad breath. Mints, gum, sprays and rinses crowd store shelves. The majority of these products offer a temporary fix for halitosis but don’t address its underlying causes.
Courtesy of American Dental Association
Bad breath is produced by sulfur-producing bacteria that grow in food particles trapped between your teeth. If you don’t brush after eating or if your mouth is always dry (saliva helps the mouth cleanse itself), these germs grow unchecked. They produce volatile sulfur compounds with hair-raising names: putrescine, cadaverine and skatole. Foods like garlic, radishes and onions can add to the stink. Once digested, their sulfurous byproducts are absorbed into the bloodstream, carried to the lungs and exhaled for hours, giving a characteristic bad breath.
Most of us either know when our breath stinks or we address the problem when informed by a well-meaning friend, relative or coworker. Some people are convinced their breath is foul even though they have no mouth odor (pseudo-halitosis), while others live in terror of developing bad breath (halitophobia). Pseudo-halitosis and halitophobia can lead to significant anxiety and self-imposed isolation; they are treated with psychotherapy.
Poor oral hygiene, gum disease and cavities account for 85% of halitosis cases. The cure requires a daily commitment: brushing teeth twice a day, after breakfast and dinner, for a full two minutes, and flossing at least once. (If you skip this step, you leave 40% of the bacteria in your mouth.) It’s also essential to get dental cleanings every six months.
The tongue holds bacteria like a sponge. Brushing it helps, but dentists prefer daily use of a tongue scraper. Avoid smoking and tobacco products, and drink at least four cups of water daily to keep your mouth moist and healthy.
Consult your dentist or medical provider if you brush and floss but still think you have bad breath (or are getting complaints). Persistent halitosis can be caused by dry mouth from smoking, alcohol use, medication side effects; acid reflux; autoimmune disease; or tonisillar stones (collections of calcified debris in your tonsils).
Check for affordable dental care options in Dutchess County here.
Mary Jenkins recently retired after nearly 40 years as a family practice physician in New York state.