Causes of Bad Breath

What causes bad breath?

Oral causes are responsible for 76% of oral malodor (bad breath).  The main sources are:

• tongue coating accounts for 43% of it
• gingivitis and periodontitis accounts for 18%

The Journal of Clinical Periodontology  reported on a study from the halitosis clinic at the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium.  A protocol for not eating onions, garlic or spicy food, not drinking coffee or alcohol or smoking cigarettes, and not using chewing gum, mints, drops, scents or mouthrinses before the breath measurements was established.  Medical history, oral hygiene habits, ENT problems and diet were recorded.  A clinical examination was performed, including and organoleptic (smelling of the breath) test and an evaluation of tongue coating visually and by weighing the scrapings from the back of the tongue.

Results for bad breath

The results showed clear correlations between organoleptic scores and tongue coating scores, weight of tongue scrapings, and the objective measure of volatile sulphur compounds by the OralChroma device.  In addition, subjects who smoked, did not floss between their teeth or had a diet of predominantly soft food had more tongue coating and higher oral malodor scores.

J Clin Perio 40:180-185, 2013, as reported in Dentaltown news


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Causes of Bad Breath

What causes bad breath?

Oral causes are responsible for 76% of oral malodor (bad breath).  The main sources are:

• tongue coating accounts for 43% of it
• gingivitis and periodontitis accounts for 18%

The Journal of Clinical Periodontology  reported on a study from the halitosis clinic at the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium.  A protocol for not eating onions, garlic or spicy food, not drinking coffee or alcohol or smoking cigarettes, and not using chewing gum, mints, drops, scents or mouthrinses before the breath measurements was established.  Medical history, oral hygiene habits, ENT problems and diet were recorded.  A clinical examination was performed, including and organoleptic (smelling of the breath) test and an evaluation of tongue coating visually and by weighing the scrapings from the back of the tongue.

Results for bad breath

The results showed clear correlations between organoleptic scores and tongue coating scores, weight of tongue scrapings, and the objective measure of volatile sulphur compounds by the OralChroma device.  In addition, subjects who smoked, did not floss between their teeth or had a diet of predominantly soft food had more tongue coating and higher oral malodor scores.

J Clin Perio 40:180-185, 2013, as reported in Dentaltown news


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Having Your Teeth Cleaned Treats Bad Breath Also

Bad breath (halitosis) can be embarrassing and may cause anxiety.  It's no wonder store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to combat this condition.  Most bad breath originates in your mouth.  In many situations, it can be improved with proper dental hygiene, removing residual food particles that collect bacteria and emit chemicals, such as hydrogen sulfide--the same compound that gives rotten eggs their characteristic smell.  Having your teeth professionally cleaned and polished eliminates most of the sources of bad breath, and gives you a great head start towards being able to maintain a clean mouth with your daily oral hygiene regimen.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Causes Of Bad Breath Other Than Needing Your Teeth Cleaned

Inflamed gums and tooth decay also produce odor.  Foods that contain oils, like onions and garlic, can cause bad breath.  After these foods are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into the bloodstream, they're carried to the lungs and are given off while breathing until the foods are eliminated from the body.  Dry mouth, decreased salivary production, occurs during sleep and causes morning breath.  Mouth breathing does the same thing.   

Some medications can cause diminished salivary flow.  Nasal discharge in the back of the throat, from sinus or respiratory infection, is another source of bad breath.  Certain illnesses, some cancers and metabolic disorders can produce chemicals that cause distinctive breath odors.  If you have concerns, see your prosthodontist for an examination and consultation.

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Causes of Bad Breath

What causes bad breath?

Oral causes are responsible for 76% of oral malodor (bad breath).  The main sources are:

• tongue coating accounts for 43% of it
• gingivitis and periodontitis accounts for 18%

The Journal of Clinical Periodontology  reported on a study from the halitosis clinic at the Catholic University Leuven in Belgium.  A protocol for not eating onions, garlic or spicy food, not drinking coffee or alcohol or smoking cigarettes, and not using chewing gum, mints, drops, scents or mouthrinses before the breath measurements was established.  Medical history, oral hygiene habits, ENT problems and diet were recorded.  A clinical examination was performed, including and organoleptic (smelling of the breath) test and an evaluation of tongue coating visually and by weighing the scrapings from the back of the tongue.

Results for bad breath

The results showed clear correlations between organoleptic scores and tongue coating scores, weight of tongue scrapings, and the objective measure of volatile sulphur compounds by the OralChroma device.  In addition, subjects who smoked, did not floss between their teeth or had a diet of predominantly soft food had more tongue coating and higher oral malodor scores.

J Clin Perio 40:180-185, 2013, as reported in Dentaltown news
    
Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics (661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com 5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309

Using Saliva to Detect Systemic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer May be Detected

UCLA Professor Dr. David Wong reports that pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, the most common pancreatic cancer and the most deadly of all cancers, may be detected in its early stages by changes in molecular signatures.

"Do you suffer from badbreath?" 

By analyzing the altered gene expression, his team identified biomarkers in saliva that distinguish pancreatic cancer patients and non-cancer patients. He has also found breast, lung, gastric and ovarian cancers to have highly discriminatory salivary biomarkers.

The implications for furthering the understanding of the association between and systemic health are immense. Saliva collection is non-invasive, non-painful and non-embarrassing and is an ideal biofluid for diagnostis of the onset, progression and therapeutic responsiveness of oral and systemic disease. 

Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc., 
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)

Garlic VS Milk

How to prevent garlic breath with milk?

According to research noted by ScienceDaily, a study in the Journal of Food Science published by the Institute of Food Technologists (IFT) found that drinking milk while eating garlic-heavy food can reduce the bad breath associated with garlic consumption.

They found fat-free and whole milk lowered the concentration of odor-emitting compounds from garlic both in the nose and mouth.

For further details, go to:  www.sciencedaily.com/releases


Robert G. Tupac, DDS, FACP, Inc.,
Diplomate, American Board of Prosthodontics
(661) 325-1275 | www.drtupac.com
5060 California Ave., #170, Bakersfield, CA 93309 (map)