Problems with these senses have a big impact on our lives. Smell and taste contribute to our enjoyment of life by stimulating a desire to eat which not only nourishes our bodies, but also enhances our social activities. When smell and taste become impaired, we eat poorly, socialize less, and feel worse. Smell and taste warn us of dangers, such as fire, poisonous fumes, and spoiled food. Loss of the sense of smell may indicate sinus disease, growths in the nasal passages, or, at times, brain tumors.
Halitosis, which is simply the official term for bad breath that is chronic and persistent, can have a wide variety of causes, ranging from simple to serious. Some of the most common offenders include:
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Sometimes, tonsil stones can cause infection, and the infection can spread to the rest of your tonsil. Usually, symptoms of tonsil infection include ear pain, large tonsil stones, pain in your throat or tonsils, and difficulty breathing.
Bad breath can also be caused by certain health conditions, such as dry mouth or diabetes.
Tobacco products, such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and snuff, stain the teeth and put the body at risk for many diseases. But they also help cause bad breath. Tobacco users also are at higher risk for:
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and cavities.
It's wise to brush those gnashers regularly to avoid whiffy breath, even if you're a hippo at London Zoo (Credit: Getty Images)
Smoking is a bad habit any way you slice it, but one thing it’s fairly well known for is causing halitosis, or “smoker’s breath.” Smoke particles can linger in the throat and lungs for hours, giving your breath a stale scent. The chemicals in tobacco smoke also remain in the mouth, leading to a whole host of secondary causes of bad breath. As mentioned briefly above, tobacco can lead to chronic bad breath by drying out the tongue and gums, leaving a chemical-filmed environment where oral bacteria can run amok. Giving up smoking is good for your body in many ways. Forget better breath – you’ll have a better quality of life!
A diet high in sugar can cause bad breath because of how sugars interact with bacteria that’s already in your mouth. These bacteria feed on sugars to cause bad breath.
There are many causes of bad breath, just as there are many sources of bacteria in the mouth. Halitosis may be caused by the following.
Dry mouth can also contribute to the formation of tonsil stones. When your mouth is dry, there is less saliva to help wash away bacteria and food particles. This can lead to the buildup of debris in the tonsil crevices.
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Using baking soda as a mouthwash can also help freshen breath. Baking soda has natural deodorizing properties and can help neutralize odors in the mouth.
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People who have long-term tonsillitis are more likely to get tonsil stones. The only way to prevent them is to remove your tonsils.
The UK health research body Cochrane is currently assembling a review of the scientific literature on interventions for bad breath. In their previous review of mouthwashes in 2008, the five best trials showed that if they contained anti-bacterials such as chlorhexidine and cetylpyridinium chloride, chlorine dioxide or zinc, they could reduce unpleasant smells to an extent. But the authors did call for more trials to be done. Hopefully this next review will be able to give more information about which mouthwashes to choose.
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