Does Smoking Cause Halitosis?

Will smoking causes halitosis problems as many advertisements claim or is this only part of the truth?  While it is undeniable that one of the primary behaviors known to cause bad breath/halitosis problems is smoking, this is really only one aspect of the problem.  In fact, there are a number of behaviors that have been named as causes of halitosis, including:

• Talking Too Much
• Drinking Coffee
• Smoking Tobacco
• Drinking Alcohol
• Dieting

In truth, none of these behaviors is in fact a direct halitosis cause with the possible exception of dieting and only then when the actual blood chemistry changes will there be a direct link.  In all of the other behaviors, however, the true source of halitosis is either dehydration or a dry mouth.  So why is a dry mouth one of the common causes of halitosis?

The mouth is always filled with both beneficial and harmful bacteria.  The beneficial bacteria are aerobic in nature meaning they thrive in oxygenated environments.  Anaerobic bacteria (the harmful variety), do not thrive well in oxygenated systems.  The biggest natural defense your body has against these harmful anaerobic bacteria in the mouth is your saliva.

Human saliva is critical in the fight towards a halitosis cure because it is rich in both oxygen and enzymes that help fight the anaerobic bacteria.  Mouthwashes that are made with alcohol or other harsh chemicals may well kill off large numbers of anaerobic bacteria but they will also cause dehydration.  One of the first non-critical functions to be shut down during periods of dehydration is salivating which is why the mouth is always dry when you are low on fluids.  Thus, using a powerful mouthwash may help begin the day with a massive anaerobic bacteria extinction but that will leave the mouth dry for the rest of the day and defenseless.

The bacteria are attracted to the pellicle, a thin film that is formed from the normal precipitation of glycoproteins.  This film is constantly being formed due to salivation—even in a dry mouth there is still enough saliva to form this thin layer.  Bacteria will attach to this film within a few short hours so if the mouth is dry all day due to using the wrong mouthwash, there will be new sources of halitosis.  If this film is not eliminated while brushing, it will harden and become tartar.  Anaerobic bacteria breed much faster behind tartar because neither brushing nor saliva can penetrate behind this hardened layer.  Tartar is the beginning of periodontal disease and indicates that gingivitis is already present.

When infection due to periodontal disease or tooth decay is present, chronic halitosis will also be present and worsen as the infection spreads. At this point, the best halitosis treatment is to kill off the infection. Afterwards, the anaerobic bacteria which are the true causes of halitosis are best kept under control through good oral hygiene and maintaining a diet which includes plenty of fluids-and thus saliva.

While smoking does not cause halitosis directly, it and other behaviors which contribute to dry mouth problems will worsen bad breath problems and help increase the populations of anaerobic bacteria that are directly responsible for the condition.

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