Bad breath is a problem that we can all sympathize with. It happens to all of us at one point or another, and the more that you know about it, the better suited that you are to deal with it. In this article, we'll be relaying some facts regarding halitosis(bad breath) so that you can have an increased knowledge on the subject.
- Approximately sixty five percent of all Americans face a problem with bad breath. Of these people, over forty million experience symptoms of chronic halitosis - a case of bad breath that just doesn't go away.
- While there are many, many reasons that one may have bad breath, approximately ninety percent of all bad breath causes are due to the presence of bacteria in the mouth.
- Across America, people are spending more and more to try to mask a problem with bad breath. Over a billion dollars per year are spent by people trying to avoid social awkwardness due to their problem.
- Most cases of bad breath are caused by the presence of anaerobic bacteria within the mouth. These bacteria release compounds that are known as volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs, which are responsible for the smell we associate with bad breath. Hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and many other compounds are present in this mixture.
- The bacterium that are responsible for the release of VSCs may be aided by the consumption of high-protein foods. Milk and cheese are two surefire ways of adding to a problem with bad breath that is caused by anaerobic bacteria.
- One method of solving a bad breath problem that many people don't realize is to increase the amount of saliva that is present in your mouth. A dry mouth can be a perfect breeding ground for these bacteria, so you must stimulate your salivary glands by ensuring that you are getting enough water on a daily basis, as well as chewing gum to aid salivation if necessary. Also, you should avoid drinking alcohol, because in addition to causing digestive troubles, it dries out the mouth.
- While many people feel that bacteria live on the surface of the tongue, it's not true. They actually live in between the fibers that make up your tongue, so although a tongue brush can be helpful in fighting bad breath, it will not fully solve the problem.
- Bad breath can actually reveal an underlying problem. For instance, diabetics may discover that they have a sweet odor to their breath. If you have a case of bad breath that is unique and is not going away, you may want to wish to a doctor, as there are over twenty different diseases that can cause chronic bad breath.
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These are just a few tidbits to help to aid in your knowledge of halitosis. The more that you know about the problem, the more versed you are in handling it. For that reason, if you're faced with the problem, you should surround yourself in information that can prove to be helpful in solving the issue.