Q: My family and friends have started to tell me that I’ve got bad breath. I clean my teeth regularly but I’m not sure what else I can do.

A: First of all, you are not alone. About 25 per cent of the population are affected by persistent bad breath and this generally has a bacterial cause. Your mouth is a complex system made up of over 500 billion bacteria per square centimetre and factors that upset the delicate balance between good and bad bacteria can lead to bad breath or halitosis as it is called.  The bacteria can build up in various areas of the mouth, with the tongue being the largest reservoir for bacteria because here bacteria lie undisturbed and have a ready supply of nutrients from the remnants of food. Bacteria that live without oxygen thrive in these conditions and give off a characteristic rotten egg smell. The gap between the tooth and gum also provides a natural breeding ground for bacteria, as it is little sheltered from the effects of saliva and chewing. Other areas of the mouth that may harbour bacteria, which can cause bad breath, are areas between the teeth where the food gets caught and old unclean dentures.  I would recommend that you add in a good probiotic.  In this case a powder would be good so that you rinse it round your mouth before you swallow it (see the Resources Page for an acidophilus powder.)

 

In addition to bacteria build up, bad breath can be caused by certain foods, such as garlic and onions or smoking or alcohol. It can also be caused by the mouth becoming dry for long periods of time which is why many people suffer from ‘morning breath’ first thing in the morning. Another cause can be high protein diets. In these diets the body burns fat for energy due to the reduction of available carbohydrates and this triggers the production of ketones, which have a distinctive odour, leading to a condition know as ketotic breath.

 

You may feel upset that your friends have told you about your problem but let me assure you they are doing it for the best possible reason. Many people who suffer from bad breath simply aren’t aware of it because most self-assessment tests for bad breath – such as licking your arm and letting the saliva dry so you can smell it – are unreliable and friends and family haven’t got the heart to tell them. Aside from the elimination of any oral disease or decay that may be present in your mouth a well balanced diet and plenty of hydration should ensure that any temporary causes of bad breath are kept to a minimum. Drink between 6 and 8 glasses of water a day – more if you are exercising – and make sure you don’t go for long periods without food. Ideally you should eat a meal or snack every two to three hours. Eat more carrots, apples and celery to prevent bad breath and plaque build up and sprinkle chopped parsley on your food to neutralise bad odours. If your breath is bad after a night out, drink lots of water and take three doses of the homeopathic remedy Nux vomica 30c over a 24 hour period.

 

Good oral hygiene is, of course, essential in limiting the number of bad bacteria present and preventing the build up of plaque which can trigger bad breath. You mention that you brush regularly but do you also floss? Three minutes of brushing twice a day is recommended and after each brush you should also floss between your teeth. A clean and healthy mouth in a person with good oral hygiene practises, combined with a well balanced diet and good hydration will minimise the incidence of bad breath.

This entry was posted on Monday, December 1st, 2008 at 12:40 am and is filed under Ask Marilyn, General Health. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.