Do you smoke, drink alcohol, take heart, sinus, birth control, or antidepressant medicines, or are over 55 years old? A positive answer to any one of these conditions means you have diminished salivary flow and are prone to bad breath. If you are dieting successfully, or your gum disease is active (bleeding gums) - you're going to have bad breath!
Recent work at the Fresh Breath Clinic in Toronto carried out by A. Bosy conclusively demonstrated that bacteria living at the back of the tongue under the mucous and plaque were the actual cause of the bad breath. She showed that most people with halitosis do not have gum disease and that it is these sulphur-producing bacteria that are responsible.
If there is a white film covering the tongue then you can be sure that there are millions of bacteria resident there.
The gram negative anaerobic bacteria thrive in the oxygen-free area at the back of the tongue. Because of this, it is not possible to get all the bacteria out of the mouth, as the supply is continuous from the rear region.
These anaerobic type bacteria include the likes of A. actinomycetemcomitans, B. forsythus, T. denticola, P. intermedia and P.gingivalis and are readily associated with periodontal disease.
The plaque settled on the tongue can result in various tooth problems such as gingivitis, periodontitis, and other gum diseases besides offensive mouth odour or bad breath.
Studies from the past have shown that the main chemicals involved in halitosis are the mercaptans and hydrogen sulphide. Roughly 85% of all halitosis cases have their origin in the mouth itself and the vast majority (90%) of these are due to the residues on the tongue.
Out of fear of embarrassing them, it has been shown in behavioural studies, that no one likes to tell others that they have bad breath, not even their spouses.
Fairly shocking news just released connects the bacteria in our mouths to heart disease and other serious diseases.
Periodontal disease is caused mainly by a bacteria that hides under the food and mucous layers of the tongue. When it gets into the bloodstream through bleeding or damaged gums, it travesl around the body and can cause damage even to the heart.
Several of the bacteria in the mouth have been shown to enter the bloodstream through the gums and cause blood clots and damage heart muscle tissue. Some recent studies have shown that one particular bacteria called Clostridium perfingens, which is very often found in the oral cavity, is suspected of being the major culprit.
Other research suggests that newborns with low birth weight may be associated with the toxic by-products released by the bacteria from gum infections in pregnant women.
There are also ongoing studies that link the worsening symptoms of both diabetes and periodontal disease.
When bacteria from the mouth get into the airways somehow, there is a greater chance of problems for those suffering with chronic respiratory and lung diseases.
It's a fact that many may not have considered, that first thing in the morning there is every possibility of re-ingesting a large amount of the toxins and metabolic by-products that the body has tried to get rid of via the tongue during the night. Food for thought!
Author Del Carl researches and posts free articles and information on the subject of bad breath and periodontal disease at his website. Why not drop by sometime. Don't reprint this exact article. Instead, reprint a free unique content version of this same article.
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