Clinical studies have demonstrated that odour-causing bacteria build-up on the tongue is a prime cause of bad breath and a potential contributor to other oral health problems such as gum disease.
Especially during sleep, the tongue is coated with a plaque film of bacteria and other odour causing compounds. The texture of the tongue is very conducive to housing this unwanted bacteria, which is why, fresh breath is difficult to maintain, even after brushing your teeth.
Brushing your tongue with a toothbrush only stirs up this plaque film, without effectively removing it.
A recent report by the American Dental Association News states that the accepted opinion of the experts in the field of halitosis is that the bacteria on the tongue is the main cause of bad breath.
"When saliva collects in the mouth - particularly in depressions at the back of the tongue - and is digested by oral bacteria, powerful odours can result." -- Time Life, The Medical Advisor, Bad Breath, Causes
Odorous chemical by-products from the bacteria thriving on the tongue will build up, and according to recent studies, may even cause gum disease. They will also be released by an active gum disease. They are known as Volatile Sulphur Compounds or VSCs, and smell similar to the chemicals given off by rotten eggs.
While volatile sulphur compounds are the principle causative agents of bad breath, the bacteria that live in our mouths also produce other waste products, and some of these have their own unpleasant odours too. A few of these wastes are:
Cadaverine - this is what we smell from dead bodies
Putrescine - the compound responsible for much of the foul odour produced by decaying meat
Skatole - the chemical that carries the disgusting smell of human faecal matter
Isovaleric acid - this is the typical smell of sweaty feet
I bet you are surprised to learn that this pleasant cocktail of odour-causing chemicals is found in the human mouth, and everyone has them. Our breath always has some level of these compounds in them.
Fortunately, however, low levels of these odorous compounds cannot be detected by the human nose. It's only when the levels of these compounds become elevated, and others' noses can detect them, that we have "bad breath."
Along with normal mucus productions, food particles left over after eating stay on the tongue and create a nice coating which is an ideal hiding place for the bacteria. Also, the rough texture of the tongue aids in their hiding.
Here they are safe. Why? Because they don't like oxygen, in fact they will die from exposure to it, and when the coating on the tongue is undisturbed, they are happily making their smelly chemicals and giving you bad breath.
This is the primary cause of bad breath, or halitosis. It also leads to increased risk of decay (especially root surface decay), and a decreased sense of taste. There are no shortcuts or magic pills - cleanliness is the solution.
About the author: Del Carl writes and publishes free articles and news about bad breath and gum disease online at his site. Why not check it out. You can get a unique content version of this article.
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