Bad breath in depth part 1: What it is, and what causes it.

Halitosis, or as it's more commonly known bad breath, is one of the single most dreaded problems plaguing men and women today.

We've all had that horrific moment on a date where everything was going wonderfully and you lean in for that first kiss to cement the relationship you were hoping to form.  Then suddenly your date pulls away with a disgusted look on their face yikes!

Bad breath is one of highest causes of  low self esteem and with good reason. It can wreak havoc on your social life on a day to day basis.

 WHAT CAUSES BAD BREATH?

Bad breath has numerous causes ranging from genetics to stomach problems,but the main cause of bad breath is an anaerobic bacteria that lives in your mouth. Anaerobic literally means  "without air, or oxygen".
This bacteria thrives in places with low to no oxygen, such as your tongue and especially the back of  your throat. Here they consume food and excrete waste...yes they poop in your mouth. Sounds delightful doesn't it? The waste products produced by some oral bacteria are sulfur compounds, which is what causes your bad breath.These bacteria create a wide range of different but equally horrendous smells such as:

• Cadaverine-the smell of dead bodies. 

• Putrescine -the smell of rotting meat.

• Skatole -the smell of  poop.

• Isovaleric Acid - the smell of sweaty feet.

Amazingly enough everybody has these foul smelling compounds in their mouths to some degree. Fortunately, at low levels these compounds aren't noticeable,but when these levels increase, we have a serious problem. At normal levels we have a perfect balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria. When the bad bacteria overtake the good, your bad breath forms. One of the main ways this happens is through plaque accumulation in your mouth. 

WHAT IS PLAQUE?

Plaque, is a sticky colorless deposit of bacteria that is constantly forming on the tooth surface. Saliva, food, and fluids combine to produce these deposits that collect where the teeth and gums meet.

    Plaque creates an "oxygen free" environment that is a goldmine for the bacteria. This means that the more plaque that accumulates the more the bacteria will grow.

WHAT FOODS FEED THE ANAEROBIC BACTERIA?

Whenever we eat anything,the bacteria feed off of it as well. The waste product is produced as they digest proteins.

That means foods such as meats,and fish are like an all you can eat buffet for the bacteria. 

       While cutting your consumption of these foods will help some,even if you eliminated them from your diet the bacteria would still consume the dead skin cells,and proteins found in your saliva.    Also for those with poor dental hygiene, they would consume the last meal you left in your mouth.  Even So, it would still benefit you to limit your consumption of high protein foods such as:  

Meat, fish and seafood, eggs, and dairy foods (milk, cheeses, and yogurt) cereal grains,nuts,peas, beans, and lastly cakes and pie

WHERE DO THE BACTERIA LIVE?

The bacteria live in two primary places, the surface of  your tongue,and the back of your tongue.

If you've ever looked in the mirror, and noticed a white coating on your tongue, that gets whiter the further back you go, you're looking at plaque where the bad breath bacteria are eating, and breeding at a rapid pace.
This is the primary palce where you'll tackle your bad breath head on.