Understand Bad Breath

Bad breath (also called oral malodor or halitosis) is a surprisingly common affliction in all parts of the world; nevertheless, relatively few people really understand bad breath. This is partly because it’s only in the last few decades that scientists have begun to take the problem seriously and try to figure out what is going on when breath turns foul. There are a number of causes for the condition including eating, drinking, and smoking habits; dental problems; sinus and throat problems; and a few diseases and disorders, but most cases stem from a single simple cause.

Information about halitosis usually stresses the use of antibacterial products without really explaining why that should be necessary. As the advice implies, most uncomplicated oral malodor is produced by bacteria that are living in the mouth. These bacteria are not abnormal or dangerous bacteria—they live in our mouths all the time, usually without causing any problem. To understand bad breath, we have to understand that, for some reason, certain types of bacteria sometimes take over and proliferate to abnormal numbers. This results in an imbalance in the normal oral bacteria.

Scientists understand bad breath is usually caused by anaerobic bacteria—bacteria that live in places where there is very little or no oxygen (like the back of the mouth and between the teeth). Most of us are familiar with the offensive smells given off by things rotting in very wet or airless conditions. These odors are reminiscent of the odors we think of when we think about halitosis. In fact the same gases are involved: airborne volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) that are byproducts of anaerobic decomposition.

Volatile sulfur compounds are actually waste products of the bacteria themselves. These bacteria break down protein in the environment or in the mouth (dead skin cells, food remnants, sinus drainage etc.), taking what they need to grow and reproduce, and releasing VSC among other waste. Thus, we now understand bad breath can be treated simply by reducing the numbers of anaerobic bacteria in the mouth. Today’s breath products typically only do this temporarily and have to be used daily. New research and discussion about halitosis focuses on how to cure the problem permanently and reestablish a healthy balance of oral bacteria in the mouth.

The Science Behind Breath Products

Once upon a time, there was no science behind breath products. Freshening the breath was a simple matter of what worked. This explains the wide variety of home remedies, such as mint, cloves, anise, parsley, dill etc. most of which rely on strong natural odors to mask a bad smell on the breath. Many of these remedies are still in use today, despite the considerable scientific research that has now been done. Not surprisingly, when scientists look at these old remedies, they find that some of them do have real value in treating bad breath.

We now know that relieving halitosis in a significant way depends on controlling the numbers of anaerobic odor-causing bacteria that live in the mouth. Thus, both old and new treatments that work are those that have some antibacterial activity. In home remedies, it is usually essential oils that act on bacteria and these may hold the key to new treatments in the future. Using the current science behind breath products, however, manufacturers of commercial preparations generally add antiseptics such as chlorhexamide, attempt to introduce oxygen to the anaerobic environment of the mouth, or try to physically remove the bacteria with oils (also tongue scrapers, and other mouth cleaning tools).

Unfortunately oral malodor is an obstinate problem that is still difficult to get rid of permanently, especially when no specific cause can be found. Relieving halitosis is typically a long term commitment that requires daily oral care and the purchase of commercial preparations. Fortunately, an increased interest in halitosis in the medical community means that the science behind breath products will continue to expand.

Relieving halitosis remains a challenge for both health care specialists and patients. Breath products are improving, however, and oral malodor sufferers today have more choices than ever before. Advancing science behind breath products will no doubt eventually lead to a better understanding of the causes of this common problem and to new drugs and oral treatments that cure it for good.