Twenty One Health Conditions That Can Cause Bad Breath - Part 1

Bad breath is probably the most obnoxious and embarrassing health problem. The dysphemistic odor of mouth is seriously unpleasant for every one who comes in contact with bad breathers. It not only causes problems in professional lives but many personal lives are destroyed due to bad breath. In many cases bad breath is found to main cause for marital disharmony, isolation from society and depression.

Our oral cavity contains innumerable anaerobic bacteria like actinomyces and fusobacterium which acts on different proteins of food material and purifies them. As a result to this process offensive gases like hydrogen, putrescine, cadaverin, skatol etc are formed which cause bad odor. If oral hygiene is not practiced properly these gases are bound to cause bad breath. Regular brushing, gargling and tongue cleaning can keep such bad odor away from our mouth.
We all have natural mechanism in our mouth which control bad breath.

Our saliva which is produced in the mouth contains antibacterial properties which help in keeping our mouth clean. Saliva also contains oxygen molecules which are needed for maintaining oral cavity aerobic. When we go to sleep saliva production is reduced that's why we all experience bad breath in the morning on waking up. People who do not brush their teeth properly in the morning provide ideal environment for the bacteria to multiply and produce offensive gases by degrading the food debris.

Small snacks taken between meals can also produce bad breath if it is not followed with proper teeth cleaning. Some foods which are rich in proteins like meat, milk, fish, eggs, nuts, groundnuts etc produce unpleasant smell so it is always suggested by doctors to clean mouth cavity with water after eating such foods.

But in some individuals suffer with bad odor even after maintaining cleanliness of mouth due to various causes which has to be diagnosed & treated properly.
Most of the time there are certain health conditions which are responsible for bad breath. Following is an extensive list of such health conditions that can cause bad breath:

1) Gingivitis:

Gum is a mucus membrane in our mouth which along with supporting tissues covers and protects our tooth bearing borders of our jaws. Gingivitis is the inflammation of this gum. Due to some reason if our gum gets infected with some bacteria or virus it results in swelling, pain and discharge. This condition can become worse and spread to periodontal area also which sometimes lead to continuous discharge. All this causes severe bad smell in the mouth and can result in severe displeasure.

2) Dental caries:

Dental caries is mainly produced by lactobacilli; it causes decalcification and enamel destruction resulting in tooth cavitisation. Food particles get deposited in such cavities and are putrefied by anaerobic bacterial germs which produce bad smell. Normal teeth brushing do not remove such food debris and so is easily putrefied. School going children who do not maintain proper oral hygiene are more prone to get attracted with such caries. This condition is also aggravated by vitamin deficiency in such children.

Please read part two of this article to read other health conditions that cause bad breath.....