Bad breath can be avoided

Back to the fresh breath

03/01/2014

Halitosis (medically halitosis) is a relatively common symptom that is hardly noticed by many sufferers themselves. It may only be the reactions in their environment that indicate that they are suffering from an unpleasant breath odor. Often the chronic halitosis is based on a lack of oral hygiene, but can also cause inflammation in the oropharynx or respiratory and systemic diseases the complaints.

What causes the unpleasant halitosis and how this can best be avoided, have dentists of the German Society of Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial and the German Society of Periodontology (DGParo) in Regensburg (DGZMK) in a recent contribution of the „Rheinische Post“ summarized. Here it is clear that intensive oral hygiene in most cases can already provide significant relief, but does not always promise success. In determining the bad breath, it helps the person concerned little „to breathe in and smell the nose as the nose gets used to its own smell“, explained Sebastian Michaelis of DGZMK. The expert therefore called on familiar family members and friends of those affected, these „respond to their bad breath, even if it makes them uncomfortable.“

Causes of bad breath
Most of the patients find the causes of bad breath in the oral cavity, explained Kai Worch from the DGParo in Regensburg. According to the expert can „especially on the large rough surface of the tongue with its numerous hollows bacteria that do not need oxygen to live.“ In the bacterial decomposition of food residues then arise gases that are released with the breath. „As part of their metabolism, the bacteria produce volatile sulfur compounds, which then lead to the unpleasant odor“, Explained Worch. The bacteria are found not only on the tongue, but also in the interdental spaces, under badly fitting crowns and insufficiently cleaned prostheses. Other triggers of halitosis, such as an incomplete stomach or systemic disease, are vanishingly rare causes compared to bacterial colonization in the mouth.

Bad breath after getting up is normal
Halitosis may be quite normal on various occasions, such as after eating garlic. This also applies to morning bad breath after getting up, according to the statement of the dentist Aviva Grinfeld opposite the „Rheinische Post“ arises because „one produces less saliva while sleeping and the mouth is then simply drier.“ The distinction between normal and pathological halitosis is according to Sebastian Michaelis „purely cause-related and usually not bound to a specific food intake.“ In many cases, those affected also show a clearly visible coating on the tongue and it no longer appears in its original pink-reddish color. A daily tongue cleaning can usually already bring about a significant improvement here. However, it is „It is important that you clean the tongue carefully and do not hurt, because otherwise bacteria can get into the blood“, Michaelis emphasized. The expert advises therefore, the so-called papillae (small sensitive elevations in the rear third of the tongue) not to clean.

Tips for tongue cleaning
A recommended technique of tongue cleaning is according to the dentist Aviva Grinfeld according to the tongue out first and pull down the front of the tip wide. On the dimpled side of the tongue cleaner apply a neutralizing zinc gel against bad breath and spread it slowly from the highest point of the tongue, which you can see, to the front. Then the gel can be removed with the other side of the tongue cleaner. Toothbrushes are rather unsuitable for this procedure, as they often trigger a retching. Instead, Grinfeld recommends special tongue cleaners with flat bristles. According to the experts, daily tongue cleansing already causes a significant reduction in bad breath for most sufferers. Mouthwashes, as used by many people in the context of morning dental hygiene, however, are not fully recommended. Their use must be discussed with the dentist and should be limited in time. Other supposed remedies for bad breath, such as chewing gum or menthol sweets, cover the odor, but the bacterial colonization and thus the cause of bad breath can not be resolved. According to the experts, chewing gum may even be counterproductive, since chewing gum chewing can increase the pH in the mouth to such an extent that the unfavorable sulfur compounds are increasingly formed. (Fp)