Bad Breath and The Hidden Dangers!

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!

A study done by Anne Bosy, co-founder of the Fresh Breath Clinic in Toronto, found that most people with bad breath do not have gum disease. Instead, she found that sulphur-producing bacteria live at the back of the tongue, bedding down under plaque and mucous. These bacteria are a source of halitosis.

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

It is impossible to remove all the bacteria from the mouth because it is constantly under attack by the gram negative anaerobic bacteria which thrive in the anaerobic environment of the posterior dorsal villa of the tongue.

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.

It is estimated that approximately 85% of all halitosis cases have their origin within the mouth; of these, 90% are caused by tongue residues. Previous studies have established that hydrogen sulphide and mercaptans are the primary components of halitosis.

Behavioural studies reveal that no one informs those with bad breath, often not even their spouse for fear of embarrassing them.

The latest shocking research associates the bacteria in our mouths to heart disease and other ailments.

One of the chief causes of periodontal disease is a bacterium that hides under the food and mucous layer settled on the tongue. This bacterium present in periodontal disease invades the bloodstream through damaged, bleeding gums, and may cause damage throughout the body, including the heart.

Many recent studies have shown that several of the bacteria in the mouth can enter the bloodstream and promote blood clots and damage heart muscle tissue. The bacteria Clostridium perfingens, which is commonly found in the oral cavity, is suspected of being 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.

There are also ongoing studies that link the worsening symptoms of both 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.