Halitosis, or bad breath (Also known scientifically as stomatodysodia, fetor oris, and ozostomia), is a condition that effects some 30% of the world’s population causing embarrassment to both the sufferer and those around them.
The primary characteristic of the ailment is an unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth cavity. According to Academy of General Dentistry, the odor can occur in varying degrees of severity and, in almost all cases, can be traced to the mouth, throat and tonsils.
Bad breath is something that almost everybody experiences but can usually be self-treated by brushing your teeth, flossing and using an alcohol free mouthwash. However, if the condition persists, then it may be a chronic condition requiring expert treatment.
The source of the bad smell is primarily concentrations of anaerobic, sulfur-producing bacteria that develop beneath the tongue and, in many cases, also in the throat and tonsils. As the term suggest, anaerobic bacteria do not need oxygen to thrive. Despite our statement that they are the primary cause of bad breath, these bacteria do, in fact, exist naturally in the mouth cavity and are an essential part of the digestive process. They assist in breaking down the proteins commonly found in food and other body fluids and secretions such as blood, saliva, catarrh as well as in diseased mouth tissue, into amino acids.
As part of the process, as the bacteria digest on the protein in your mouth, they also release sulfur compounds from the tongue and throat. These compound include hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and unstable sulfur compounds which have an unpleasant taste and smell. If the development of these volatile sulfur compounds is allowed to continue unchecked, the severity of the halitosis will steadily increase.
early warning signs
Eons ago, according to some anthropologists, the act of kissing was used to ascertain if the two people were compatible. Failure to pass the “breath test” meant that moving on to the “next stage” of gaining a mate was in doubt.
Today we know that bad breath is a sign that something is not right with our body and/or mouth and teeth.
Although a medical condition, bad breath is also seen as an embarrassing, “social” disease that can adversely affect the sufferer’s self-confidence, their daily life and personal relationships
Knowing if you suffer from halitosis can be a problem as identifying your own smell can be difficult. Even if others, like family members, friend or work mates, are aware of the problem, they may be too embarrassed to tell you.
One self-administered test that anybody can carry out involves licking the inside of your wrist, waiting a few seconds for the saliva to dry and smelling to see (or rather smell) if there is any unpleasant odor.
Many halitosis symptoms can be associated to a specific, underlying cause. The most common include a post-natal drip, a bitter metallic taste in the mouth, a white layer covering the tongue and thicker than usual saliva.
If you suffer from bad breath caused by a dry mouth, you may also experience some of the following symptoms: some difficulty when speaking or swallowing, dry eyes and perhaps a burning sensation in the mouth.
Indications of respiratory tract problems that can also cause bad breath include a high temperature, a sore throat, a lingering cough and swollen neck lymph nodes.
