There’s nothing worse than a close talker. Except, perhaps, a close talker with bad breath. Nothing kills that already-awkward freshman orientation conversation or first-date kiss like the dreaded Breath of Death. Whether you are afflicted by your own oral malodor or by that of someone (too) close to you, you are certainly not alone.
The term halitosis, as used by medical folk, gives the condition of bad breath an alarmingly serious ring, which is only slightly preferable to the more archaic description, fetor ex ore (literally, “stench from the mouth”). Either term can fancy up the condition enough to gain sympathy or miss class or can simply serve as undecipherable codespeak to warn friends of approaching offenders (“Halitosis, nine o’clock”).
In all seriousness, halitosis is an extremely common condition, likely affecting every one of us at some point in our lives or at some point in the day. There are hundreds of reasons for foul breath. Most of the time, the odor is produced in the bacterial metropolis that is your mouth. Specifically, most of these stench-producing organisms live happily on the back of your tongue, sheltered from normal mouth activity and from the reach of your toothbrush. Undisturbed, the bacteria break down protein and other debris into sulfur-containing substances (think rotten egg) and putrescent gases. When your mouth is dry and short on saliva, such as during sleep, the bacteria can do their work uninhibited, which explains the loveliness that is morning breath.
Halitosis is rarely subtle. Even your best friends might be hard-pressed to choose brutal honesty over a little white lie if asked to describe your breath. If you are unable to find an objective nose, there are ways to test yourself. For starters, try licking the inside of your wrist (seriously), let it dry and take a whiff. Alternatively, use a spoon to scrape the back of your tongue (mind the gag reflex). If what you scraped off smells like rotting corpses, chances are your breath might, too. Researchers have devised more technologically advanced (read: expensive) tests for quantifying breath funkiness, but before you put down the cash for gas chromatography, try the spoon test first.
How can you break free from the bonds of bad breath? For starters, paying attention to what you’re putting in your mouth can help you understand the smells coming out of it. If you’re gearing up for date night, steer clear of pungent foods like garlic and onions. Also, make sure you’re taking care of your teeth and gums, which means flossing and brushing regularly (make sure to brush the back of the tongue as well). Using a tongue scraper or mouthwash can help cut down on the number of bacteria in your mouth, which in turn will help with the halitosis. Smoking or chewing tobacco only make things worse, plus it’s not all that good for you (in case you haven’t heard). Gum and mints may mask the odor, but if bad breath persists, you may want to get checked out by your dentist.
Approximately one out of four people suffers from chronic halitosis, but even if you’re one of them, there is no reason for it to ruin your social life or self-image. Stay healthy, stay happy and stay out of the way of a close talker (or, at the very least, tell him the truth).
Emily is a University Medical student. She can be reached at e.graham@cavalierdaily.com.
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