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Do you notice bad breath even though you’ve been regularly brushing your teeth? Have you tried every mouthwash, mint & paste on the market with no success? You’re not alone – an estimated 1 out of 4 people globally suffer from chronic bad breath[3]. This can be an ongoing struggle for many people if the root cause is not addressed [2].
Bad breath, or halitosis, is most commonly caused by the breakdown of leftover food not removed by routine brushing and flossing[5]. Plaque builds up on the surface of your teeth & bacteria grows, producing an unpleasant odor. In most cases, brushing & flossing removes the food and the plaque, eliminating bad breath[1].
For those suffering from a more chronic issue, the cause may be due to imbalance of the bacterial microbiome. Your mouth is home to hundreds of types of bacteria, the composition of which is specific to you & closely associated with primary childhood caregivers & influenced in adulthood by a variety of lifestyle factors including diet. Based on this combination of factors, some people are more prone to bad breath.
If we suffer from chronic bad breath, our inclination may be to wipe out all the bacteria & their byproducts. But recent studies in microbiology suggest that antiseptic mouthwashes & products disrupt the important bacterial composition & dry the mouth, creating a vicious cycle of bad breath and other issues[3].
New research encourages preservation of the microbiome & looks for solutions to tweak the balance in targeted ways, such as mouthwashes that simply neutralize the stinky sulfur compounds produced by bad bacteria, or to dental probiotics which deter the growth of harmful bacteria in favor of a more healthy composition [3].
Tess is a student at the University of Missouri – Columbia studying French and Journalism with an emphasis in Strategic Communications and a minor in Political Science. She is a former copywriter for Relevant Youth Marketing and is now an account manager for the company; she also works part-time as a writing tutor for undergraduate students. Tess will graduate in May of 2024 and hopes to work in advertising as an account manager or copywriter.
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