Bad Breath -- The Hidden Dangers!

By: Del Carl

You will most certainly have bad breath if you suffer from active gum disease (bleeding gums), or if you are dieting successfully. Normally you will have diminished salivary flow and be prone to bad breath if you are over 55 years of age, or if you take antidepressants, birth control, sinus, or heart medicines. Others who smoke or drink alcohol will have bad breath too.

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.

A white film on the top of the tongue means there are millions of bacteria living there.

Because there is an oxygen-poor environment at the rear of the tongue, the gram negative anaerobic bacteria can thrive nicely there and provide a constant supply to the mouth. Hence it is practically impossible to remove all the bacteria from the mouth.

B. forsythus, T. denticola, A. actinomycetemcomitans, P. intermedia and P.gingivalis are the prominent anaerobic bacteria present there and they are the ones that are usually 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.

Studies into human behaviour have shown that nobody likes to let anybody else know that they have bad breath, not even their closest partners - usually out of fear of embarrassing them.

New research shows a connection between the bacteria in our mouths and heart disease as well as other ailments.

Under the coating on the tongue are several bacteria, and one of them is the main actor in periodontal disease. When the gums are damaged or bleeding, this bacteria get into the bloodstream and travels through the body. It is thought that it may be causing damage even to the heart.

Studies have recently shown that many bacteria can enter the bloodstream and damage heart muscle tissue. They can also encourage the formation of blood clots. The bacteria Clostridium perfingens, which is normally found in the mouth, is considered to be one of the major culprits.

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.

Some studies are showing a connection betweem diabetes and periodontal disease.

Bacteria found in the mouth can end up in the airways and increase the risk of complications associated with chronic lung conditions and respiratory disease.

Many people are aware of the fact that metabolic by-products and toxins are removed from the body through the coating of the tongue. Unfortunately, it seems that statistically 93% of the western world are re-ingesting most of this with their breakfast.