Spit Keeps You Fit
Technically Called Saliva
Spit Keeps You Fit (technically called saliva)
Saliva is a clear liquid that's made in your mouth 24 hours a day, every day (24/7). Salivary glands inside of each cheek and under the jaw at the very front of your mouth secrete about 2 to 4 pints every day. Saliva provides some important functions in keeping your body healthy:
* It keeps the tissue inside your mouth healthy by providing high levels of oxygen * It helps digest your food by providing enzymes * It keeps acid level at stable levels
We certainly hope you don't suffer from Xerostomia, commonly known as dry mouth. Less moisture in your mouth means that the level of oxygen in your mouth is diminished. Well, guess what? A mouth without a proper level of oxygen can lead to a condition in your mouth called anaerobic. Anaerobic means without oxygen. You see, in the anaerobic environment, bacteria can produce high levels of volatile sulfur compounds known as VSCs. These compounds smell really bad - like rotten eggs or worse and they turn your mouth into a sewer driving your friends and associates away with wrinkled noses.
The Sinuses, Post-nasal drip, and too much mucus
Bad breath in children is caused mainly by post-nasal drip. The back of the tongue where mucus accumulates from the nasal passages is the normal home for bacterium.
Adults can produce one to two quarts of mucus every day. But don't panic. This is a normal process that fights infection, moistens and cleans the nasal membranes, humidifies air, traps and clears inhaled foreign matter. It is normally swallowed, but if it is excessive it is called post-nasal drip.
As it turns out, the mucus of post-nasal drip is composed of proteins containing amino acids Methionine and Cysteine. This is food for the bacterium and a byproduct of their feeding frenzy is the VSCs. Yes, they are using your mouth as their toilet. One of these chemical compounds, Hydrogen Sulfide, smells like rotten eggs. Another compound is called Methyl Mercaptan that smells like sweaty gym socks. Is it any wonder with smells like that, your friends, relatives and associates avoid you?
This condition, post-nasal drip, can also occur when you have a sore throat or a cold - not pleasant smells by any stretch of the imagination.
As it turns out, many people believe that the halitosis odor comes from their throat or nose and not their mouth. Although it is not true, it is easy to believe that the throat and nose could be involved because the throat, nose and mouth are so close to each other. A simple test will prove that the bad breath comes from the back of the tongue
Listen. You can test this fact that the bacterium feed on this mucus discharge by scraping some of it from the back of the tongue. Use a plastic spoon if you have one, otherwise an ordinary spoon will do. Let the muck from the scraping sit for a few minutes allowing the bacterium to work their "magic". Within a few minutes, a strong offensive odor should begin to develop. No wonder you have bad breath.
But all is not lost. Your mouth can smell fresh again. In most cases it is corrected with some simple, fast, effective methods.
About the Author
Jean Eagloy is the developer of Bad Breath Advisor, visit for fast, effective bad breath solutions. .
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