Halitosis and Bacteria: The Connection

There are few things more embarrassing than realizing your garbage disposal smells better than your breath. Halitosis is a common oral health issue that virtually everyone has experienced. It affects people of every age and walk of life. Even if you take good care of your mouth, circumstances beyond your control can result in breath odors that keep your friends at a distance and make you hesitant to start a conversation. Before you pull out another pack of gum, take a moment to learn exactly what kind of enemy you are facing and why.

9 Common Causes of Bad Breath

First, make note of nine of the most common causes of bad breath:

1. Smoking or tobacco use
2. Poor dental hygiene
3. Corrective mouth appliances like dentures and braces
4. Inadequate fluid intake
5. Tooth decay, dental abscesses, and periodontal disease
6. Medical conditions such as kidney disease, diabetes, sinus infection, throat or lung problems, post-nasal drip, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal disease
7. Medications such as vitamin supplements, calcium channel blockers, psychiatric drugs, antihistamines, and any substances that decrease saliva production
8. Foods and beverages such as garlic, onions, cabbage, curry, coffee, and diet soda
9. Consumption of a high-protein diet

A more specific cause of breath odor involves the waste materials produced by bacteria in the mouth, stomach, or nose that come into contact with air. Biologists have discovered that many types of bacteria and their waste products responsible for other revolting odors also contribute to breath odor in humans. They include the following:

• Isovaleric acid, the distinctive aroma of smelly feet
• Hydrogen sulfide, the source of rotten-egg odor
• The combination of oxygen, sulfur compounds, and nitrogen gases like cadaverine that are collectively responsible for the odor of corpses
• Putrescine, which is to blame for the terrible smell of decaying meat
• Mercaptan and skatole, substances present in feces odor

In light of such unpleasant revelations, the importance of good oral hygiene and regular dental visits seems even more urgent.

To get the dental care you deserve from an affordable dentist in Detroit, call Gentle Dental of Michigan today at or make an appointment.