KissMeGoodnight
eRomance Series:
My Breath Stinks:
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath...NOW!
( 15 pages )
Bad
Breath & Serious Health Issues
Certain
breath odors may be symptomatic of health issues which require
immediate attention.
Odd
odors
For
instance if the odor smells "fruitlike" this may
indicate that your body is trying to expel acetone. This
condition occurs because of a process called ketoacidosis.
Ketoacidosis
happens when insulin is not present in the body. If insulin
is not present, body fat is substituted for the insulin,
and when metabolized, ketones invade the bloodstream. This
condition can result in a diabetic coma and should be considered
life-threatening.
If
you have ever had a tube inserted in your stomach through
your mouth or nose, you may have experienced "fecal
odor" in your breath. This can also occur when there
is a bowel obstruction or prolonged period of vomiting. An
ammonia or fishlike odor can be associated with chronic kidney
failure also known as chronic renal failure.
Drug
abuse
This
is a sad footnote to our culture today. In years past this
subject wouldn’t even be considered in a guide such as this.
A study conducted in 2003 revealed that 12.3 million Americans
12 years old and over tried methamphetamine at least once.
This number is staggering when you consider that represents
5.2% of our population.
Not
only are the health risks tremendous but the damage to the
teeth is often irreversible. Dentists have reported that
the teeth of methamphetamine users are described as rotting,
black, stained and literally falling apart and crumbling.
The drug is highly acidic and reduces the production of saliva.
Users tend to grind their teeth and crave sugar in any form.
The drug also remains in the system for up to 12 hours prolonging
the exposure during a period when the user probably will
not even consider brushing or flossing.
Removal
of the teeth is often the only course of action.
Eating
disorders
We
have mentioned that vomiting is a known cause of bad breath.
Hand in hand with vomiting are potentially dangerous disorders
such as bulimia and anorexia.
Bulimia
involves the practice of repeated binge eating followed up
by self-induced vomiting called “purging” and is normally
done secretly.
The
reasons for engaging in this practice are different for each
participant. However, it is generally accepted by the medical
community that those who suffer from bulimia eat for “comfort.”
They
use food as a therapy and consume large amounts to induce
inner feeling of well being. It appears to temporarily drive
away feelings of anger, loss, sadness and other negative,
human conditions.
Each
time they binge, they need to purge so they can recapture
the emotional band-aids they get while binging. It is an
extremely dangerous practice.
The
purging process is also accomplished by fasting, taking diet
pills or using diuretics. Not only does the practice rapidly
deplete the body of natural resources, it also creates a
dry mouth situation which causes bad breath. If you know
of someone who you suspect may be on a damaging “binge eating”
program watch for the signs of bad breath as well. If you
suspect they may be engaged in this behavior, intervention
may be in order.
Anorexia
is also extremely harmful. While it may manifest itself in
some of the same ways as bulimia, it is different in that
the victim has a fear of weight gain and even the slightest
ounce of body fat just can’t be tolerated. Rather than binging
and purging, purging is the tool of preference for people
who suffer from anorexia.
Body
piercing
Our
purpose of discussion that relates to body piercing is obviously
directed toward oral piercing. It is not our intent to make
any judgment of the practice, merely to point out some of
the risks involved as well as bad breath resulting from the
practice.
The
most obvious risk factor is infection which can occur when
there is a lesion on any part of the body. However, as we
know that the mouth is the perfect environment for bacteria
to grow, whether it is “good” bacteria or “bad” bacteria.
You
might think that the risk is greater at the time of piercing
and that would be correct. However, continual handling of
the jewelry after placement greatly increases the odds of
infection down the road. Oral piercing may also put you at
risk for blood contamination and increase the possibility
of hepatitis B, C, D and G.
Damage
to the blood vessels in the tongue or cheek can induce prolonged
bleeding and in some cases nerve damage can occur.
Just
having the jewelry in the mouth can damage the soft tissue
around the teeth causing the gums to recede.
Constant
clicking of the jewelry against natural and/or restored teeth
can cause the enamel or veneers to crack or chip.
Oral
jewelry can also create more saliva than is necessary. Some
people have reported problems with speech and a pronounced
reduction in the ability to pronounce words properly. Others
say that their ability to chew was impaired.
Another
worse case scenario is the risk of having the jewelry dislodge
causing a dangerous choking situation or even swallowing
the jewelry and having it end up in the digestive tract which
is dangerous itself.
Finally,
there is no doubt that having a foreign body in your mouth
is going to create bad breath. Keeping the area around the
piercing 100% clean 100% of the time is impossible. It only
takes a few tiny particles lodged in or around the entrance
and exit of the jewelry stud to create bad breath. And, that’s
even before you add in the factors discussed above.
So,
if you do choose to engage in the practice prepare yourself
for some pretty hefty maintenance and the possibility of
infection or even worse circumstances.
These
examples are not the norm, of course, but if you do experience
any of them, it would be prudent to contact a physician especially
if they replace previously normal breath odor.
> Home > Bad
Breath Main Page
|