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Where does the smell associated with halitosis originate?

April 26, 2017associated halitosis originate smell

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Where does the smell associated with halitosis originate?

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The most likely cause is the chemical breakdown of proteins in food and saliva by a variety of micro-organisms (bacteria). The offensive odours are due to volatile sulphur compounds (VSC’s) including hydrogen sulphide (H2S), methyl mercaptonm (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulphide (CH3SCH3). H2S is produced mainly off the top surface of the tongue and CH3SH and CH3SCH3 enrich the mal odour from the gums immediately round the teeth (Periodontal Tissues). VSC’s originate from anaerobic bacterial activity (that is a chemical reaction in the absence of oxygen).