Whether it was your 4th grade teacher Old Lady Crabtree or your buddy Darryl “The Garlic Crusher” cheering next to you at the game, we’ve all had our personal space being invaded by someone else’s bad breath. It stinks. Worst part is, people rarely know when they have it and what to do about it. And that includes you.
Bad breath, technically known as halitosis, is caused by several different things, but for the most part the culprit is the cleanliness of one’s mouth. Food and bacteria can find their way into any nook, cranny, cavity or periodontal pocket in the mouth; and once they get there they have a big stinky party. It’s pretty basic: if someone’s mouth stinks, their breath will too. The best way to avoid this version of bad breath is to routinely brush and floss one’s teeth to get those smelly party animals off the dance floor. Brushing of the tongue shouldn’t be forgotten either. Keep in mind: a food-free mouth is a germ-free mouth is a stink-free mouth.
On the other hand, certain foods with potent odours will gladly transfer their unique reeks over to those who consumed them like onions, garlic, alcohol, coffee. Once ingested, these substances and their unruly aromas are absorbed into the bloodstream and eventually make it to your lungs so you actually exhale the offending funks for the rest of the world to experience.
Humour aside, bad breath can also be a sign of more serious problems. Periodontitis, also known as gum disease, affects the tissues and bones of the jaw that keep teeth in place. Once these structures are weakened, dangerous microbes gain entry and can attack the root of the tooth. This can give off a foul odour and can indicate problems you can’t see.
If you feel as though you are keeping your mouth clean and avoiding overly odourous foods yet still experiencing bad breath, get in touch There may be something more rotten below the surface.
