Cosmetic Dentistry, Racine Dental Group of Racine, Wisconsin

by Scott Munro, DDS

The interesting thing about bad breath, besides the fact that it is a $1 billion business in the US and Canada, is that half the population has it. Most of the remedies last only 10 minutes and are costly. To get rid of it, you have to understand exactly what bad breath is and what causes it. The source of bad breath is volatile sulfur compounds (vsc's), which are from bacteria of decaying proteins. These proteins come from food and cells that naturally occur in the mouth. The bacteria that produce vsc's are anaerobic. Unlike aerobic bacteria these anaerobic bacteria like to thrive where there is no air. This would be in crevices, cracks under the gums and in "hiding places".

Only 10% of bad breath cases are caused by medical causes. It is what's in your mouth that counts, not in your stomach. Eat garlic and your breath will have a pungent odor. Here is a news flash…do not eat goat cheese 10 minutes before a first date.

Morning Breath: Our mouths have a chemical balance that has to be maintained. When we sleep, the saliva flow is diminished and the chemical balance is upset causing the proliferation of bacteria that produces vsc's. As we age our saliva naturally diminishes leading to bad breath.

Gum Disease: This is the number one cause of bad breath. Gingivitis (gum disease) is the inflammation of the gums caused by an accumulation of plaque - a residue of bacteria, food and debris. As more plaque causes defects in the gums and bone support and creates "hiding places" … more bad breath.

Visit your dentist on a regular basis to prevent gum disease. The signs of gum disease are: gums that bleed when you floss; red swollen gums; presence of pus; loose teeth; bad taste or odor; change in tooth position or "bite." Ask your dentist or hygienist if you have gum disease. They do special exams for this.

Other Hiding Places: Dentures, partials and other appliances; faulty dental work, open margins and holes; poor contacts with teeth and restorations; drifted teeth and extruded teeth.

The Cure: Remove the vsc's and you will remove the odor. Remove the bacteria that causes vsc's and there will be no odor Keep things clean and there will be no odor.

Electric toothbrushes today are fantastic. They will clean like never before. There is a new and improved floss and special tongue cleaner. Ask you hygienist to show you these new products.

There are rinses and mouthwashes that are a major advance in treating bad breath. Most toothpaste and mouthwashes just cover up the odors for about 10 minutes. Some ingredients kill vsc's. Ask your dentist about a rinse and toothpaste that are effective for bad breath.