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It should be simple to keep bad breath at bay. While it is
common knowledge that mouth fresheners act instantaneously, simple acts
of personal hygiene can produce more lasting results. Most causes of halitosis
are due to nothing more than carelessness or inconvenience. It is not
always possible to brush teeth after a meal away from home, and bad
breath is inevitable if you have enjoyed an exotic dish full of
aromatic spices. Similarly, flossing can be most inconvenient, though
traces of food stuck inside the mouth, will lose no time in raising a
stink!
Not all causes of halitosis are
beyond reasonable control. Some people may develop bad habits of
failing to brush and floss before retiring for the night, or may simply
not drink enough water. Irregular visits to dentists will inevitably
lead to bacterial colonies finding refuge in the gums, and they can be
awfully difficult to dislodge completely. There are some beneficial
bacteria which reside in a healthy oral cavity, but the trick is to
keep the harmful ones away. Overall, a combination of adequate personal
hygiene and regular dental examinations should suffice to rule out the
usual causes of halitosis.
Metabolic Causes of Halitosis
Diabetes can be free of symptoms in its early stages. Surveys show
that large numbers of people in all countries may suffer from diabetes
for years, without the condition being detected. This results in the
build up of ketones in blood. Ketones are highly odorous chemicals
which are formed when the body burns fat instead of carbohydrate for
energy. Ketones are eliminated from blood through perspiration, in
urine, and by way of exhaled breath. The latter joins the list of causes of halitosis,
and it is a matter which a dentist cannot resolve on his or her own.
This is why a dentist may send a patient to a physician, when there is
nothing in the mouth which could result in halitosis. However, it is
also possible that bacterial infections and diabetes are related, since
high blood sugar predisposes people to immune deficiencies.
Sudden changes in diet can also cause bad breath.
Fasting causes ketosis, as does a high protein diet, which also
excludes carbohydrates. The bodies of people who try to lose weight
rapidly, or to increase their musculatures, tend to use fat for energy,
and smelly ketones build up in blood, finding their way to the lungs in
the process. This is why special diets should be custom prepared for
each individual by qualified experts.
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