Bad Breath And Body Odor: Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention
Bad breath
Bad Breath And Body Odor: Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention.
It is embarrassing when you are addressing people and they are turning away their faces from you or shifting away from you because you have a bad body and mouth odor. This can be very embarrassing.
Many people are suffering from bad body and mouth odor and the worse part of it is they may not even be aware except been told by people and friends around them.
One may experience mouth and body odor when one wakes up in the morning or after eating pungent food (food with a strong odor that stings the nose).
Bad breath/ Mouth odor (Halitosis)
Bad breath/mouth odor is a chronic condition caused by certain food or poor hygiene where the awful smell is perceived from the mouth while speaking.
Bad breath is one of the common reasons people seek dental care. Among others, the most common is tooth decay and gum problems.
Normally people have bad breath after smoking or when they eat certain food such as garlic, ginger, onions, etc.
But if bad breath persists it is advisable to visit the doctor.
Causes of Bad Breath and Body Odor
Some of the causes of bad breath/mouth breath include:
Tobacco
Taking of tobacco or tobacco products can cause mouth odor. Tobacco gives the mouth a particular odor which is offensive and leads to bad breath.
Food
Some food such as garlic and ginger can cause bad breath. Some food particles may get stuck in-between the teeth and after some days can lead to mouth odor.
Dry mouth
Staying for too long without eating (fasting), talking or drinking anything can cause odor. If the mouth is dry naturally or as a result of disease can lead to mouth odor.
Dental hygiene
Regular brushing and removing food/plague from the teeth using dental floss helps eliminate food particles in-between the teeth and gum that breaks down to produce odor.
There will be an accumulation of biofilm or bacteria on the teeth if the teeth are not properly and regularly brushed and this can cause halitosis.
Drugs
Some drugs can cause dryness of the mouth by reducing saliva thereby causing odors. Certain drugs break down and release chemicals that can cause bad breath.
For example, some drugs which contain nitrate acid and vitamin supplements and are taken in large quantities can lead to bad breath.
Mouth, nose, and throat infection
Infection can cause bad breath.
Diseases
Some diseases such as liver failure, diabetes, cancer that produce chemicals/ acids in the body can in turn lead to bad breath/ halitosis.
Ketones
When diabetes patients have a low level of insulin. Their body then uses stored fats because it can no longer use sugar which leads to the production of ketones. Large quantities of ketones can be poisonous and produce unpleasant breath odor.
Stooling, vomiting, and bowel obstruction for a very long period can make breathe smell.
Bronchiectasis
This is a situation whereby airways become wider than normal which leads to the buildup of mucus. This mucus leads to bad breath. This is a long term condition of halitosis.
Symptoms of bad breath
The symptoms of bad breath vary in individuals depending on the cause of the problem. Bad breath is difficult to access by oneself. It is best to visit a dentist to access your breath odor.
Remedies for bad breath.
Some individuals, having heard or seen someone with bad breath issues may become more conscious about their breath although they may not have bad breath or they have just a little. This can lead to excessive mouth cleaning.
Some home remedies of halitosis are:
Regular brushing of the teeth
Brush after every meal or at least brush twice a day in the morning and evening.
Dental floss
Flossing can be used to remove food and dental plaque in-between the teeth areas where the toothbrush is unable to reach. A toothbrush can only clean the surface of the teeth but floss can clean food particles between teeth.
Clean Denture
Denture should also be cleaned daily in fact anything that goes into the mouth should be cleaned. This prevents bacterial formation that will later go into the mouth.
It is also advised that toothbrush should be changed every 3 months
Brushing of the tongue
Most people don’t brush their tongue while brushing. Brushing of the tongue (back and front ) is as important as brushing of the teeth because of food, dead cell, and bacterial buildup on the tongue the same way as the teeth.
Avoid dry mouth
Avoid drinks such as alcohol and tobacco that dehydrate the mouth. Drink enough of water, chew gum, and lick sweets to help stimulate saliva. If after these you still have a dry mouth then u need to see a dentist to prescribe medication for you depending on the problem.
It is preferable to see the doctor for test and medication if bad breath persists after trying out all these remedies
Treatment
The most effective way to prevent and treat bad breath/mouth odor is good oral hygiene. This prevents hollow depression or soft areas like in a decayed tooth.
People should visit the doctor (dentist) at least twice in a year for a checkup and proper cleaning out of bacterial between the gums and teeth.
Some particular toothpaste that contains antibacterial agents or mouthwash may be recommended by the dentist.
Bad Breath And Body Odor: Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention
Body Odor
Sweat is normal and naturally odorless in humans.
But when sweats stay on the skin for too long without washing it off can mix with bacteria that are naturally present on the skin. These bacteria break down sweats into acids which causes unpleasant smell in the body.
Care should be taken especially during puberty to prevent body odor.
People with a medical condition such as diabetes patients, those that sweat profusely is more vulnerable to body Odor. So conscious efforts should be taken to avoid this offensive odor.
Some parts of the body where odor can occur
- Armpit
- Genitals
- Groins
- Anus
- Hair
- Pubic hair
- The whole skin
Causes of body odor
Every person has a specific pleasant body smell. Some people can be identified by their body smell which is unique to them. This unique pleasant smell attributed to each person can be influenced by the following
Bacteria
Bacteria is in most parts of the body such as the armpits. When a person sweats, bacteria break down the sweats into acids. It’s not the sweat or the bacteria that stings but the by-product of the bacteria.
Eccrine glands
These glands are found in the whole skin of a person. This gland is found in the lower layer of the skin and its function is to squizz sweat to the surface of the skin.
This gland contains a high percentage of salt making it hard for bacteria to break down thus produces a smell.
Apocrine Gland
This gland releases sweat when you have a high temperature or when you are extremely stressed. The sweat produced by this gland has high protein which causes body odor when it is broken down by bacteria.
The apocrine gland is more dominant in selected parts of the body such as pubic hair, armpit, etc
This is the reason why body odor mainly developed in such an area.
Stress
You may have a foul or unpleasant odor as a result of stress, too much of work, etc. The apocrine gland concentrated in the armpit mainly produces fatty acids.
When you are anxious, stressed, and tired the apocrine gland switch on. The sweats produced in the armpit and other parts plus the normal body bacteria make a smell.
Medical Condition
Some illness can cause an unusual smell
How to prevent body odor
Keep the body clean
Bath thoroughly at least twice a day with soap and sponge to wash away sweat and bacterial on the skin.
The sweat itself is odorless but when mixed with the bacteria on the skin it causes an odor (body odor)
Therefore washing the skin thoroughly especially in sensitive areas like the armpit, genitals, and where you sweat most can help reduce body odor.
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Use anti-bacteria soap
Antibacterial soap is most preferable in washing away the bacteria on the skin and reducing body odor.
Use a clean towel after a shower
Clean the body with a towel that smells nice and makes sure you dry your skin properly as it is harder for bacteria to breed on dry skin.
Use Antiperspirant
Antiperspirant is a sweat reducing substance. They contain aluminum chloride and deodorant.
Apply on the underarm after bathing preferably after bathing in the morning and evening.
Wear clean clothes
Always put on clean clothes. If you sweat a lot change clothes twice a day. Fresh/clean clothes help reduce body odor. Also, wash and change your socks.
Apply deodorants on your feet and change the inside sole of your shoe. Sometimes wear slippers or sandals that keep your feet exposed to air.
Bad Breath And Body Odor: Causes, Symptoms, And Prevention
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