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Causes Of Bad Breath
Bad breath is a common health problem which greatly affects the day-to-day activities of so many people. The offensive odour from the mouth is unpleasant to those who come in close contact with bad breathers. The problem will be doubled by psychological trauma leading to depression. The sufferers from this problem will be isolated from the society. This can even lead to marital disharmony.
Literally speaking all human beings are susceptible to bad breath. Oral cavity contains millions of anaerobic bacteria like fusobacterium and actinomyces which acts on the protein of food materials and putrefies them. This process results in the formation of offensive gases like hydrogen sulphide, methyl mescaptan, cadaverin, skatol, putrescine etc, causing bad odour. If oral hygiene is not maintained properly all will suffer from bad breath. Most of us control this by regular brushing, tongue cleaning and gargling. Even after maintining cleanliness in the mouth some individuals suffer from offensive smell due to various causes which has to be diagnosed and treated properly.
Some common causes of bad breath.
 1) Poor oral hygiene:
If oral hygiene is not maintained properly the mouth becomes the seat for millions of bacteria which produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris. Bad breath is severe in those who do not brush their teeth regularly and clean their mouth after every food. Snacks taken in between meals can also produce bad breath because of improper cleaning.
Bad breath is common in almost all people in the morning on waking. During sleep there is less production of saliva .Saliva has got some antibacterial properties which help to keep the mouth clean. Saliva contains oxygen molecules which are needed to make oral cavity aerobic. So the reduction in it's quantity during sleep makes a favourable condition for anaerobic bacteria.
 2) Food habits:
The main cause of bad smell is due to degradation of protein by the bacteria and hence all food products rich in protein favour bad breath. Meat, fish, milk products, eggs, cakes, nuts, pear and etc, can cause bad breath. Some food articles can produce a particular type of smell which may be unpleasant. Raw onion can produce typical bad smell. It is said that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, a raw onion a day keeps everybody away. Eating groundnuts or peanuts can also produce bad smell. However if proper cleaning is done smell can be reduced irrespective of the nature of food. Irregularity in timing of food can also produce bad breath. Small food articles taken in between the meals can also produce bad smell.
3) Biofilm:
There is formation of a thin sticky coating called biofilm on the tongue and oral mucosa. This coating is thick on the posterior aspect of the tongue where millions of gram negative bacteria are seen .The thick coating on the tongue is always associated with bad breath. Even a thin biofilm can make anaerobic condition favourable for bacterial proliferation.
4) Dental caries (tooth cavities and decay):
This is a destructive process causing decalcification with destruction of enamel and dentine resulting in cavitisation of the tooth. These are produced mainly by the lactobacilli. Food particles are deposited inside these cavities and are putrefied by the anaerobic bacteria producing bad smell. Normal brushing will not remove the food debris easily and hence they are putrefied completely. Caries are common in school going children and in those who do not maintain proper oral hygiene. Calcium and vitamin deficiency can also predispose caries.
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