We are often asked about the role the tongue plays in bad breath or halitosis, as it is known medically. The truth is that everyone will experience it at some point in life; however, there can be several reasons for its cause. Some of these include:
- Consuming odorous foods and/or drinks such as coffee, onions, and garlic is usually just a temporary condition that can be resolved by brushing and flossing your teeth and using mouthwash. Also, chewing gum containing xylitol, a sugar-free gum that promotes saliva flow and reduces tooth decay, should be considered.
- Diabetes, a disease caused by faulty metabolism of sugar and diseases of the liver and kidneys, can also cause bad breath. Be sure to always let all your healthcare professionals know if you have any unusual symptoms or have been diagnosed with any of these or other illnesses.
- Poor oral hygiene, which causes gingivitis (gum disease), is one of the most common reasons for bad breath. And if your gum disease is progressive, you could eventually lose your teeth.
- If you use tobacco and regularly drink large amounts of alcohol, you are dramatically increasing the likelihood of having halitosis.
- And lastly, if you do not drink enough water to maintain proper hydration, you can develop bad breath.
More than 600 types of bacteria are found in the average mouth, many of which can cause bad breath. The back of the tongue is where these bacteria typically produce Volatile Sulfur Compounds (VSC), the culprits responsible for the worst odors attributed to halitosis.
There are two common methods for cleaning your tongue. You can use your toothbrush to brush your tongue, or you can use a tongue-scraper. The latter can generally be purchased at a drug or discount store. A clean, healthy tongue should be pink and not have a yellow or brownish coating.
