The Truth About Bad Breath

Bad breath, or halitosis, comes from the Anaerobic Sulfur Producing Bacteria which reside in the surface of the tongue and throat. This bacteria is supposed to be there, as they assist humans in the digestion of proteins found in specific foods, mucous, blood, and in “broken-down” oral tissue. During certain conditions, the bacteria start to break down proteins at a rapid rate. Proteins consist of Amino Acids, and two of these Amino Acids (Cysteine and Methionine) are dense with sulfur.

When this “beneficial” bacteria comes in contact with these amino compounds, the smelly and “lousy-tasting” sulfur compounds are released from the back of the mouth, as Hydrogen Sulfide, Methyl Mercaptan, and other smelly and foul tasting compounds. These compounds are frequently called volatile sulfur compounds (VSC), where volatile means Vaporous and Effervescent, which accurately describe their ability to offend other people instantly - BAD BREATH.

Everyone has the same type of bacteria in their mouth. You cannot “catch” bad breath from others, not even from kissing! Halitosis isn’t a spreadable disease. And since they are part of our normal oral flora balance, you can’t permanently remove them from your mouth, contrary to what the major mouthwash companies state in their advertising and claim to “lift the bacteria off your tongue”. The only scientifically proven method of stopping bad breath is by attacking the bacteria’s ability to produce VSC and by converting the VSC into non-odorous and non-tasting organic salts.

One other important fact, this bacteria is classified as “Anaerobic” which means “without oxygen.” It grows in an environment where oxygen is not present. This is why it doesn’t live on the surface of your tongue but in the fibers that make up the tongue. Most commercial mouthwashes and toothpastes will not kill this bacteria, they only cover the bad breath smells the bacteria create.

Halitosis is both preventable and curable.  Treating bad breath is a very simple process with the use of oxygen based products, such as Therabreath.