Symptoms of Bad Breath and a Quick Test for Self-Diagnosis

Have you ever been haunted by the suspicion that you might have bad breath but struggled to confirm it? That’s entirely normal. Our bodies can acclimate to their odors, making self-assessment challenging. Even trying to detect symptoms of bad breath by cupping your hands over your mouth might not provide a reliable answer.

Is there a way to know if you have bad breath then? Of course, there is. Most dentists have a device called the halimeter which, by principle, measures the amount of sulfur level in your mouth. Why measure the sulfur compound in your mouth? Simple. Because practically, most people with halitosis have their rooted problems with the overproduction of volatile sulfur compounds in the mouth. If left uncontrolled, these compounds would cause the foul odor to emanate.

Volatile sulfur compounds are the by-product of the workings done by the anaerobic bacteria which are helpful in the disintegration process occurring in the food and the decomposition of dead tissues in the mouth. Without the bacteria, this debris would cause infections in the mouth. Thus, bacteria are important in the mouth’s general maintenance. However, these are the very bacteria that create the bad odor.

Thus, the major symptom and one that creates the distinction between a healthy mouth from what is not is the unpleasant odor that it creates. Apart from the anaerobic bacteria thriving in the mouth, you could also find other culprits such as those with non-oral origin. Some good examples are acidity due to certain medical conditions and certain chemical reactions of the body towards medications. Some of the medical conditions, on the other hand, are liver cirrhosis, green discharges, stored mucus at the back of the throat and tongue and in the nose, and kidney problems.

Another good symptom to use as a basis for self-diagnosis of bad breath is the observance of yellow film covering the surface of the tongue. As you might have already p[resumed, a healthy and clean tongue is marked with the absence of these materials and can observably show a pinkish to reddish surface. This residue from the accumulation of food materials could be good breeding places for certain bacteria that would further aggravate the condition of bad breath.

Dry mouth is also a symptom that you must watch out for. This is basically due to mouth breathing and certain medical conditions. It could be resolved by practicing nasal breathing, both during unconscious and conscious states.

With a foul odor in the breath, the mouth could also be marked with sour, bitter, or metallic tastes. This is especially true when you have just finished eating ingredients that have odor-producing properties such as garlic, onion, tea, and coffee.

With the adaptation of the body to its smells though, it can still recognize what is bad odor from that of the pleasant. Without making the trips with your dentist, you can try the following test to see if you have symptoms of bad breath.

One of the common exercises is through licking your tongue into your clean wrist. Smell the trace of smell after 45 seconds. If you have noticed a bad smell then it might be due to bad breath. But, remember that this would not be able to test if the problem originates from the back of the tongue.

Dental flosses could also be used in testing if you have the symptoms of bad breath. Check your used floss for discoloration and sniff the used part after 45 minutes. If you notice an objectionable odor, it could be that you have a bad mouth odor.

Next – hold the tip of your tongue with a clean washcloth, while rubbing the back portion of your tongue with another white washcloth. Wait 45 seconds and then smell the portion of the cloth that you used on the back of your tongue (dorsum). Does it smell?