Bad Breath: What's the Stink About?

Thanks to ads that insist those with bad breath are social misfits, Americans have never been more conscious of their breath. But if you have bad breath, take heart. No doubt it's just due to that family of foul bacteria now encamped upon your tongue.

There are two types of bad breath, physiological and pathological. The majority of cases -- 63 percent -- are classified as physiological and are caused by bacteria that live in the mouth. Look in the mirror and stick out your tongue. See the white coating? That's the dead cells, mucus and bacteria.

Your tongue is much like a doormat. Every time food passes through your mouth on the way to your stomach, tiny particles are left behind between the teeth, around the gums and on the tongue, . Bacteria feed on these particles and produce their own wastes in the form of sulfides and foul-smelling gases. These bacteria thrive in warm, wet places, like your mouth, where there is little oxygen. They reproduce especially fast when your mouth is closed particularly at night, and create what we all know as morning breath.

What you eat can also cause bad breath. When you eat food is absorbed into the bloodstream. In the blood stream it travels to organs of the body, including the lungs. In the lungs, certain foods, such as onions or garlic cause exhaled air to have an odor. Brushing, flossing and mouthwash will only hide   the odor temporarily. The odor will disappear when body eliminates the food.

Other causes of bad breath are tobacco products, poorly cleaned dentures and chronic dry mouth (caused by medications, salivary gland problems or continuous mouth   breathing).

Fortunately, it's relatively easy to take care of bad breath in these cases. The key is good oral hygiene. Brushing your teeth and tongue, flossing between teeth at least once a day and getting regular dental checkups are part of oral hygiene.   You can use special tongue scrapers available from your drugstore to remove the white coating from your tongue. Mouthwashes that contain alcohol also help to kill these bacteria and freshen your breath temporarily. In addition, it helps to drink plenty of water, which enhances saliva production and helps wash food particles and bacteria from your mouth. The other kind of bad breath is considered chronic, or pathological, and can be more difficult to treat. Most cases are caused by gum disease, sinus infections and -- in about 10 to 15 percent of cases -- systemic diseases like kidney disease, diabetes and blood disorders. Curing bad breath in these cases relies on treating the underlying condition.

How can you tell the difference between the two types of bad breath?

Physiological bad breath can't really be distinguished as a particular kind of smell, whereas pathological bad breath usually is more intense and distinct.

Blood disorders such as leukemia and conditions such gum disease, respiratory problems, kidney disease or diabetes can produce their own distinct brand of breath odors. These odors are recognizably different from the smells that we usually associate with bad breath.

If you have concerns about your breath, see your doctor or dentist for advice on finding the cause of the problem and the right treatment. But most likely it is just those pesky tongue bacteria. Give them the brush.