What is Halitosis?
Halitosis, or oral malodor, has plagued man throughout human history. Documentation of early Egyptian and other cultures indicate people were aware of this problem and sweetening their breath with various herbs and spices, a practice that continues to this day. In parts of the world, the bark of certain trees is still chewed by some as a means of oral care.
Nor is bad breath limited to just humans. Up to 80% of dogs and cats also suffer from it as a result of gum disease and tarter buildup, as many pet owners know.
So what exactly is chronic halitosis?
Contrary to what many people think, it's not caused by eating garlic, onions, or spicy and pungent foods. Chronic means "marked by long duration or frequent recurrence," and the bad breath associated with these foods is usually temporary and of a relatively less offensive nature. This type of bad breath occurs when some foods are digested and their oils and compounds are absorbed by the body into the bloodstream. The molecules travel to the tiny capillaries and alveoli in the lungs, and are exhaled when we breathe. These substances are usually out of the system within 24 to 48 hours.
Except in rare cases, the stomach is not the source of chronic halitosis. It has muscles that close it and its contents off from the esophagus. The only time you actually smell your stomach is when you burp.
Chronic halitosis is primarily the result of trillions of gram negative bacteria in the oral cavity, where up to 95% of halitosis originates. These bacteria break down proteins from food debris. In the process, they release foul smelling gases. These anaerobic microorganisms live in the nooks and crannies of teeth and soft tissue and thrive in an environment devoid of oxygen, where they generate volatile sulfur compounds, or VSCs.
Chemically, these VSCs are comprised of: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), from bacteria on the tongue and responsible for the rotten egg odor; methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) from bacteria in the gums and giving off a barnyard odor; dimethyl sulfide (CH3SCH3); and dimethyl disulfide, just to name a few. Other gases such as isovaleric acid smell like sweaty feet. In case you were curious.
Although gum disease often plays a prominent role, experts tend to agree that the majority of the bacterial flora responsible for halitosis resides towards the back of the tongue, deep among the papillae, or taste buds. This is why some experts recommend that you lightly brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper to easily remove a good portion of the bacteria and mucous coating.
Chronic halitosis is not to be taken lightly and nearly 60 million Americans are cited to have this condition. It can adversely affect your professional relationships, as well as your social and personal life, not to mention affecting intimacy. More than just a nuisance or simple annoyance for some, it can be embarrassing, emotionally crippling, and demoralizing. There are documented instances of divorce and even of suicide in certain severe cases.
Only recently has halitosis been discussed openly in the public forum. For most it remains a sensitive issue. How, for example, do you inform a co-worker, client, relative or acquaintance that he/she has bad breath without the risk of offending or embarrassing?
The consumer concern over bad breath has since prompted a multi-billion dollar industry in mouthwash and breath fresheners. (Ironically, many mouthwashes tend to ultimately worsen oral malodor. But more about that later.) Halitosis has been a featured topic on ABC's "20/20" with Dr. Timothy Johnson, on Fox News and CNN, and appeared in various publications ranging from Reader's Digest, The New York Times, and The Chicago Tribune to Men's Fitness and People Magazine, making it a topic that spans all age and gender groups, incomes, and demographics.
