Decoding Odor: The Chemical Composition of Bad Breath

 Decoding Odor: The Chemical Composition of Bad Breath

Methyl mercaptan (CH3SH) is a key compound responsible for bad breath. 

    This colorless gas, often described as smelling like rotten cabbage, contains sulfur and is produced both naturally and industrially.

Naturally, CH3SH is generated through microbial activity and the decomposition of organic matter. 

In the oral cavity, the production of methyl mercaptan is significantly influenced by the interaction between two types of bacteria: Streptococcus gordonii and Fusobacterium nucleatum.

Fusobacterium nucleatum, a common oral bacterium, produces large quantities of CH3SH when it is stimulated by another bacterium, Streptococcus gordonii. 

This process is specifically triggered by ornithine, a chemical emitted by S. gordonii. Upon detecting ornithine, F. nucleatum undergoes a chemical process that leads to an increased production of CH3SH, thereby contributing to bad breath.

These findings from Japanese research underscore the significant role of bacterial interactions in the production of odor-causing compounds in the mouth.

BY,

DR.RENJU T GEORGE

INDIA.

Reasons for bad breath other than poor oral hygiene

          Uncovering Hidden Culprits of Bad Breath Beyond Brushing               

 The main cause of bad odor of mouth occurs due to poor oral hygiene. This can be treated with the help of a dentist.

There are also other reasons for bad breath that needs to be attended.

1.Sinus related problems

2.Protein Allergy

3. Intestinal flora Deficiency

Sinus related problems

This occurs commonly with sinusitis and can be easily identified by the patients itself.

Protein Allergy

Patients with protein allergy can shows following issues

• Skin issues
• Grey hair
• Bad breadth
• Dandruff
• Gastritis
• Regurgitation
• Sneezing
• Difficulty in breathing
• Piles, Fissures, Fistula

Intestinal flora Deficiency

This occurs when the stomach doesn't have sufficient amount of good bacteria.

The deficiency of good bacteria in stomach can results to improper metabolism of the food we eat.

It causes indigestion and improper absorption of food. As a result the peristaltic movement decreases and cause constipation, apthous ulcer, gastritis, regurgitation.

These indigested food gets fermented in the stomach and releases gases, chemicals that have bad smell.

The gases and chemicals enters the blood streams .The blood gets circulated through out the body. Finally when it reaches the lungs it expels out these gases along with carbon dioxide.

Hence probiotic flora should be maintained.

BY,

DR.RENJU T GEORGE,

INDIA.

BAD BREATH/HALITOSIS

BAD BREATH/HALITOSIS

HALITOSIS colloquially called bad breath, feter oris,fege bosta, is  a symptom in which a noticeably unpleasant odor  is present on the exhaled breath. 

CAUSES

- The most common cause is of  the odor is caused by bacteria present below the gum line and on the back of the tongue.
- Of those who feel they have halitosis, significant percentages 5-72% have been reported to have no genuine halitosis when professionally examined. 
- The remaining 10% is accounted for by many different conditions, including disorders in the nasal cavity,sinus,lungs,throat, esophagus,stomach or elsewhere.


Other causes are

• Deep carious lesions (dental decay) – which cause localized food impaction and stagnation
• Recent dental extraction sockets – fill with blood clot, and provide an ideal habitat for bacterial proliferation
• Inter dental food packing – (food getting pushed down between teeth) - this can be caused by missing teeth, tilted, spaced or crowded teeth, or poorly contoured approximal dental fillings. Food debris becomes trapped, undergoes slow bacterial putrefaction and release of malodorous volatiles. Food packing can also cause a localized periodontal reaction, characterized by dental pain that is relieved by cleaning the area of food packing with inter dental brush or floss.
• Acrylic dentures (plastic false teeth) – inadequate denture hygiene practises such as failing to clean and remove the prosthesis each night, may cause a malodour from the plastic itself or from the mouth as microbiota responds to the altered environment. The plastic is actually porous, and the fitting surface is usually irregular, sculpted to fit the edentulous oral anatomy. These factors predispose to bacterial and yeast retention, which is accompanied by a typical smell.
• Oral infections
• Oral ulcerations
• Fasting
• Stress/anxiety
• Menstrual cycle – at mid cycle and during menstruation, increased breathvolatile sulfur compounds were reported in women.
• Smoking – Smoking is linked with periodontal disease, which is the second most common cause of oral malodor. Smoking also has many other negative effects on the mouth, from increased rates of dental decay to premalignant lesions and even oral cancer
• Alcohol
• Volatile foodstuffs – e.g. onion, garlic, cabbage, cauliflower and radish. Volatile foodstuffs may leave malodorous residues in the mouth, which are the subject to bacterial putrefaction and VSC release. However, volatile foodstuffs may also cause halitosis via the blood borne halitosis mechanism.
• Medication – often medications can cause xerostomia (dry mouth) which results in increased microbial growth in the mouth.

MANAGMENT

The following strategies may be suggested:

1. CLEANING OF TONGUE SURFACE twice daily is the most effective way to keep bad breath in control; that can be achieved using a tooth brush, tongue cleaner or tongue scraper to wipe off the bacterial biofilim, debris, and mucus. Brushing a small amount of mouth rinse or tongue gel onto the tongue surface will further inhibit bacterial action.
2. EATING HEALTHY FOODS with rough foods helps clean the very back of the tongue.
3. CHEWING GUM Since dry-mouth can increase bacterial buildup and cause or worsen bad breath, chewing sugarless gum can help with the production of saliva, and thereby help to reduce bad breath. 
4. GARGLING right before bedtime with an effective mouthwash .  
5. MAINTAINING ORAL HYGIENE, including daily tongue cleaning,brushing,flossing and periodic visits to dentist. . 
6. Dentures should be properly cleaned and soaked overnight in antibacterial solution (unless otherwise advised by one's dentist).
7. PROBIOTIC TREATMENTS specifically Streptococcus salivarius K12 has been claimed to suppress malodorous bacteria growth, however well designed randomised control clinical trails are needed to assess this.

by,

DR.RENJU T GEORGE,
SIGNAL DENTAL SPECIALITY CLINIC,
KALAVATHU ROAD ,
PALARIVATTOM,
COCHIN-25,
KERALA,INDIA.