About Vodka Consumption & Bad Breath
The causes of bad breath, also called oral malador and referred to medically as halitosis, have long-been alluding dentists and medical professionals. While not all the causes and cures have been determined, there is some medical evidence and ongoing research studies which suggest that both general and chronic alcohol consumption may be a leading cause of bad breath.
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Identification
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According to the American Dental Association, 30 percent of the population of the United States suffers from some high degree of bad breath problems related to the consumption of alcohol. Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors including genetics and diet. The medical term for severe mouth odor is halitosis and at its most basic level, it is caused when the bacteria in your mouth attempts to process complex proteins. Bad breath can also be caused by a build-up of stomach acid caused by poor diet, gum disease where bacteria growing under the gum line causes odor, and alcohol consumption. Alcohol consumption accounts for about 48 percent of all problems related to bad breath. In recent studies, alcohol has emerged as a major cause of bad breath and other mouth and nose odors.
Significance
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A recent study performed by the Dental Research Association, on a cross-section of 100 male and female volunteers, showed that alcohol consumption was one of the leading causes of bad breath problems. Alcohol consumption is believed to affect mouth odor due to a chemical reaction in the stomach and liver caused by the unique oxidation of alcoholic substances. In fact, chronic drinkers have a very unique type of breath that results from the weakening of the liver and the build-up of ethanal (acetaldehyde) and other odorous byproducts caused by chronic alcohol consumption. On a much more basic level, alcohol will cause the mouth to dry out. This causes the body to stunt saliva production, which increases bad bacteria growth and increases the build-up of odorous gas waste.
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Prevention/Solution
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It is not necessary to stop alcohol consumption altogether in order to cure bad breath odor. A combination of healthy diet, exercise and appropriate water consumption can help dull the odors compounded by alcohol consumption. Eat regular meals. Skipping meals and dieting can cause a build-up of gas and acid in the stomach, which can lead to bad breath. Especially when drinking, you should maintain a consistent eating regimen. Brush your teeth, mouth and tongue twice a day and use a tongue brush or scraper to remove excess proteins and bacteria. Finish off daily mouth maintenance by flossing your teeth. Drink lots of water. Water acts as a natural mouthwash by rinsing away food particles and bacteria and keeping the mouth moist. When you're having a cocktail, take a sip of water every once in a while and brush your teeth immediately after you've finished drinking.
Misconceptions
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People often make the mistake of using alcohol-based mouthwashes when rinsing their mouths and to prevent bad breath. The truth is that most mouth washes contain many of the same ingredients that spirits and drinking alcohols do and therefore, can compound the causes of bad breath. While many mouthwashes do contain cleaning agents to help remove bacteria, the alcohol content negates all of these good effects and in most cases, worsens the problem. Look for mouthwashes that do not contain alcohol and are made from natural ingredients or simply rinse your mouth and gargle with warm water after you've brushed your teeth and tongue.
Expert Insight
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Experts believe that chronic alcohol consumption is a leading cause of halitosis in both men and women. There are over 600 types of bacteria that reside in the mouth and all of these bacteria react aggressively to the chemical make-up and sugar content found in most alcohol products. Alcohol breaks down the mouths natural defenses and causes the mouth to dry out. When the natural residue protecting the tongue and its bacteria is removed, odors can no longer be controlled by saliva production. Because many bad breath problems are caused by both the stomach, liver and mouth, metabolic activity related to alcohol consumption is a large component of bacteria growth and oral odors.
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