Wearing Prada won’t hide bad breath

What could be worse than being on the worst dressed list? Being on the worst breath list, that’s what!

People can talk all they want about how you stole your wealth, that you are having an affair with your best friend’s wife, that you are gay/lesbian, that your nose is actually a surgical masterpiece. But nothing comes close to the pungent juiciness of a piece of gossip pronouncing you have bad breath.

Of all social accusations, the exclusive one to shun is the allegation that you have foul breath. Unfortunately, when you have bad breath, people deem it politically correct to be quiet about it. In front of you, that is, but not behind your back. News about who has bad breath (and how bad it is) spreads like wildfire. Pretty soon, everybody knows except you.

You may wear the most expensive frock of the season, douse your body with exclusive, limited-edition perfume, or adorn your fingers, wrists, and neck with stunning Harry Winstons. But that million-dollar look will all fizzle to yuck if up close your breath reeks of the repulsive smell of decaying teeth, onions, and nauseating, sewer-like vapors.

Have you noticed people avoiding you lately? Have you been experiencing a dearth of romantic liaisons? Check your mouth; you may have sickening breath. When you have bad breath, nothing else matters much. Not even a royal title.

Causes Of Bad Breath

Offensive odor emanating from the mouth, commonly called bad breath or halitosis (bad breath turned chronic!), is a source of utter embarrassment. But most people with bad breath are not aware they have it because the human sense of smell has the clever ability to adjust to odor. Only people near you can tell, and the best one to ask if you have it is your dentist.

The mouth is inhabited with colonies of bacteria and the kind directly linked to bad breath is the anaerobic bacteria that reside on the oxygen-deficient papillae of the tongue. These bacteria feed on proteins and when they break down food particles, they produce a by-product called volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), the major culprit in bad breath.

• Your diet affects the air you exhale. Certain foods and spices like garlic, onions, dried fish, fish sauce (bagoong or patis), curry, kimchi, pickles, cheese, and dairy products contribute to revolting breath odor. Believe it or not, what you don’t eat affects your breath, too. Dieters and people who fast may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.

Be conscious about the smell of foods you eat and try to avoid the ones that cause embarrassing breath.

• Food particles that remain in the mouth soon rot and smell. Food lodged between the teeth, and collected around the gums and on the tongue will rot and decay. This decomposition or breakdown of proteins by bacteria is accompanied by despicable odor. Brushing, rinsing, and the use of a toothpick, dental floss, and inter-dental cleaners dislodge these particles and leave your mouth feeling clean and pleasant. Tongue scrapers work wonders, too.

• Bad oral hygiene spells bad breath. Decaying teeth, infected gums, and dental plaque all contribute to a disgusting breath. Good daily oral hygiene is the best preventive measure but there is nothing like visiting your dentist for a full dental checkup to maintain the health of your teeth, gums, and mouth. Regular professional cleaning is also a must.

• Bad breath may signal medical disorder. If your dentist has ascertained that your teeth, gums, and mouth are healthy, he may refer you to a specialist to determine the cause of your bad breath. Medical disorders like respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, and gastrointestinal diseases affect the smell of your breath.

• Dry mouth or xerostomia also causes bad breath. Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth. When its flow decreases, you develop dry mouth with stale saliva, which smells very unpleasant. Dry mouth can also be caused by nervousness, the medications you take, or continuously breathing through the mouth. Drinking fluids, rinsing with a mouthwash or water, and sucking on a piece of candy can alleviate the situation.

• Tobacco and alcohol also affect the breath. Too much smoking can cause acrid tobacco breath and ingrain nicotine stains on the teeth. Alcoholic beverages like beer, wine, and champagne leave the mouth with a rancid, acidic smell which can be quite disconcerting, especially if the one you are face to face with isn’t also high on alcohol.

Simple Bad Breath Tests

Want to know if you have bad breath? Here are two simple tests:

First, lick the back of your hand. Let the saliva dry for a few seconds, then smell. If you notice an unpleasant odor, you have breath disorder. Another test is to floss the spaces between your teeth. Smell the floss and evaluate for yourself.

A more scientific test could be administered by a professional using a Halimeter, a device that measures the concentration of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC) in the mouth.

How To Have A Sweeter Mouth

Maintain a high level of oral and dental hygiene. Limit the odor-causing foods you eat. Visit your dentist regularly and get professional dental cleaning. Use a tongue cleaner, and gargle with an anti-bacterial mouthwash often. Drink plenty of water and try to avoid coffee, tobacco, and alcoholic beverages. Always be armed with convenient cosmetic breath fresheners like peppermint candies or chewing gum.

Most of all, speak the truth and talk of love, beauty, and goodness. What you say can leave a bad taste and odor in your mouth.

* * *

For your comments, e-mail deroseminar@yahoo.com. Should you forward this article, please acknowledge the author and The Philippine Star, and include this entire paragraph.