Halitosis: Know the Source

The most common cause of halitosis (aka bad breath) is the bacteria living in a person's mouth. Bacteria is alive, just like humans. And like humans, bacteria consume food and excrete waste. Occasionally, this waste is foul smelling, due to its composition of sulfur compounds. Ever been to Florida and been outside when sprinklers were on? Have you ever smelled a rotten egg? If you've done either of these, you're familiar with the smell of sulfur. Florida water and rotten eggs share a commonality: sulfur compounds.

Dentists refer to the sulfur compounds associated with oral bacteria as volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s). These little monsters are the culprits at the root of offensive breath. The mouth provides a perfect breeding ground for them. VSC’s are anaerobic (don’t need oxygen), and are right at home on the tongue and along the gumline.