BAD BREATH CAUSES - PART 2
Bad Breath is due to a bacterial imbalance of the mouth and throat
Dieting
such as Atkins diets and many of the other fad diets available will cause a particular type of bad breath called "Hunger Breath". When you starve yourself of carbohydrates, the body will begin to break down fats and release ketones. This particular compound can be extremely smelly and difficult to remove. At the Australian Breath Clinic we advise our patients to consume a 100% orange juice (not reconstituted) at mid morning and mid afternoon, as well as eating a slice of bread at lunch. These things will ensure you have adequate carbohydrate intake during the day and avoid the release of ketones into your breath.
Genetic Predisposition
can also cause bad breath. Genetics determines the base numbers of our bacteria in our mouths as well as factors such as tongue shape. Certain tongues are very difficult to clean and can trap bacteria and mouth compounds more easily. Tongues that have a long central groove, or tongues that have large papillae (hairy tongue) are particularly susceptible. Also genetics determines our allergy status. Heightened allergy status can increase the production of nasal mucus and therefore cause an increase of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
Medications
are a major cause of bad breath. Seven out of the top ten prescribed medicines have dry mouth as a side effect of usage. Typically, they are the antidepressants, high blood pressure medicines, antihistamines, decongestants, indigestion, hormone replacement medicines, birth control pills.
Foods high in protein
can cause bad breath. Milk, cheese, yogurts, ice cream etc are probably the worst offenders for your breath. Proteins found in dairy foods are broken down to amino acids. Two amino acids in particular Cysteine and Methionine convert to extremely smelly sulphur compounds of Hydrogen Sulphide (rotten egg gas) and Methyl Mercaptan (faeces smell). Skim milk is as bad as cream, as the protein content is usually about the same, even though the fat content is considerably different. Also some people are lactose intolerant and can not digest dairy products properly.
Again other foods such as garlic and onions will create bad breath instantly. This is because, on a molecular basis, they already contain the sulphur compounds (Mercaptan) produced by bad breath bacteria. Also any foods that contain sugar can add to breath problems. This is because sugar is an excellent nutritional medium for the bad breath bacteria.
Hormonal changes
can cause bad breath. Some women notice a change related to their menstrual cycle. It has to do with the way hormones control the concentration of saliva. When the saliva is “thicker” it’s a sign that less Oxygen is present, and then the whole process of sulphur production is initiated.
Smoking
is one of the major causes of bad breath, gum disease, and heart disease. When you smoke you are effectively starving the mouth of oxygen, thus promoting the overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria that create the smelly sulphur products. Unfortunately smoking is addictive and therefore not easy to cut down or quit. Consider that if you smoke you need to be paranoid about your breath. It is therefore essential that all smokers use some form of breath system as well as breath chewing gum during the day to help keep adequate supply of saliva and oxygen to the mouth. If you smoke ask your dentist on some of the ways to kick the habit.
Alcohol
is a very good drying agent, and therefore should be avoided when ever possible. It drastically increases the numbers of anaerobic bacteria and is a major cause of dry mouth. Apart from this fact alcohol is known to cause pre cancerous changes to oral tissue. This also includes the alcohol found in most commercial mouthwash.
Bad Breath Recovery Program
Due to the wide variety of bacteria and biofilms that cause bad breath, there is only one comprehensive program that treats this wide spectrum. This is the clinic program Dr Speiser developed called our "Bad Breath Recovery Program"
The Bad Breath Program is developed to firstly remove the biofilms that house the bad breath bacteria. Following this, the program aims to place healthy biofilms back in the mouth by focusing on our Probiotic Bacteria, KForce K12 as well as a specially developed daily cleaning regime. Apart from this, the program will educate you on lifestyle choices to maximise a healthy bacterial balance of the mouth and throat.
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