You can look good. You can sound convincing. But if your breath stinks, you will not make a good impression.
 Ever find yourself backing away from someone, discreetly covering your nose with anything at hand, and trying to scuttle away as quickly as possible? With bad breath affecting up to one in two people at some point in their lives, it’s hard to escape from it.
Bad breath is medically termed as halitosis and is described as an unpleasant, disagreeable and distinct odor. A person with bad breath may not be aware of his condition as those around him might not want to hurt his feelings, or they might find it too awkward to tell him. To check for bad breath, try licking the back of your hand and let it dry before smelling it; or run dental floss between your teeth and sniff at it.
Most bad breath originates from bacteria in the mouth, found on the tongue surface and between teeth for instance.
Causes include:
Poor dental hygiene. The most common cause of bad breath, food particles remaining in the mouth can collect bacteria and emit smelly hydrogen sulfide vapours. Bad breath can also happen with periodontal (gum) disease, which is gum irritation from plaque formation – a sticky, colourless film of bacteria on the teeth. It is estimated that about 80 per cent of Singaporeans suffer from gum disease.
Dry mouth (xerostomia). Saliva helps to reduce odour by washing away food particles and bacteria. Dry mouth occurs when the saliva flow decreases due to reasons such as the use of certain medications, salivary gland problems and continuous breathing through the mouth. The slowing down of saliva production is also the reason behind funky ‘morning breath’.
Food. Besides remnant food particles in the mouth, certain drinks such as alcohol and coffee can cause a temporary odour. The types of food that we eat and later digest can lead to bad breath too. Examples include strong-tasting food like durian, or onion, garlic and other spices. Once absorbed into the bloodstream, the oils get carried to the lungs to produce bad breath. It can take up to 72 hours before the smell goes away.
Medical. Examples include discharge due to infections of the respiratory system, diabetes, metabolic disorders, kidney/liver failure and acid reflux. Certain medications may also cause bad breath.
Smoking. Tobacco smoking dries out the mouth resulting in stale breath. The risk of gum disease also increases with smoking which can, again, lead to bad breath.
Dieting and fasting. Low-carb diets lead to ketosis - the breakdown of fats for energy in the absence of carbohydrates. The release of ketones gives breath a fruity smell. When a person fasts, the digestive juices in the stomach can also cause odor. The salivary flow reduces too, causing dry mouth.
Banish bad breath
Dr Koh Chu Guan, Senior Consultant at National Dental Centre Singapore, advises the following to improve or prevent bad breath:
- Do your part by brushing teeth twice a day with toothpaste and after you eat. Change the toothbrush every three months or when bristles wear out. Take dentures out at night for cleaning.
- Dental floss is useful for cleaning between teeth while antiseptic mouth rinses help kill germs that cause bad breath. Use the mouthwash at night before sleeping. A tongue scraper or brushing the tongue with a toothbrush may also help alleviate bad breath.
- Go for regular dental checkups at least twice a year.
- Chew sugarless mints to stimulate saliva production and prevent dry mouth. Herbs and spices like parsley and fennel seeds help too. Avoid sugary snacks which will increase the bacteria count in the mouth.
- Drink water to keep your mouth moist. Swish it in your mouth to dislodge food particles between teeth or from crevices. Cut down on coffee or alcohol.
- Cut down on spicy foods or those that give off a strong smell.
- Stop smoking.
- Re-introduce carbohydrates back into your diet to avoid ‘ketone’ breath.
- Avoid having an empty stomach for long hours. Take snacks, candy, or drinks to increase saliva flow and flush out the bacteria causing bad breath.
Treatment
Bad breath may belie certain medical conditions so it is always best to consult a dentist if the condition persists despite following the suggestions mentioned earlier.
Besides smelling your breath or using a halimeter (instrument that measures the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth to diagnose halitosis), the healthcare professional will also note your medical history and perform a physical examination of the mouth and the nose. X-rays may be done, along with throat swabs to try identify the location where the odor comes from, as well as the bacteria responsible for it.
To prepare for your dental appointment, refrain from eating, drinking, smoking or brushing your teeth for a stipulated number of hours. The use of perfume or scented toiletries and the taking of antibiotics are not allowed as they might mask the bad odor. It will also help to keep a log of the foods or medications taken as it might indicate the cause of bad breath. Questions that patients might have to answer include the frequency of flossing, eating habits and if the bad breath occurs constantly.
The dentist will refer patients to doctors if he determines that the odor is not of oral origin.
For more info on halitosis, visit www.ndc.com.sg
|