Blog Post 4 Creativity

 In this week's Creative Blog I wanted to share an exercise I read about in a book from class called Caffeine for the Creative Mind by (Stefan Mumaw and Wendy Lee Oldfield). The creative exercise was called Dude, Feel Free to pop a Mint! In this exercise I was tasked with taking pictures of ten things that cause bad breath. 

Understand that bad breath is an unpleasant odor that comes from the mouth. This can happen for a number of reasons, some being poor oral hygiene, not brushing or flossing properly can lead to food particles and bacteria in the mouth, which can cause bad breath. But some things or habits a person has can also contribute to bad breath like smoking and tobacco use, certain foods like garlic, onions, and coffee. Or even infections of the mouth like cavities, mouth sores, or other infections can lead to bad breath as bacteria grow in the mouth.

Smoking and chewing tobacco contribute to bad breath and can also cause gum disease, further exacerbating the problem. The chemicals in tobacco smoke, such as nicotine and tar, have a strong odor that lingers in the mouth, throat, and lungs. These chemicals not only contribute to bad breath but can also stick to the teeth, gums, and tongue, creating a persistent odor. Smoking is a major risk factor for gum disease. Gum disease occurs when bacteria build up in the mouth, causing inflammation, infection, and bad breath. Smokers are more likely to have gum disease, which can lead to chronic bad breath. 

Certain foods can cause bad breath because of the way they are digested and how their compounds are released in the body. Garlic contains sulfur compounds like allicin, which release a strong odor when broken down in the stomach. These compounds enter the bloodstream and are expelled through the lungs, leading to bad breath. Onions are similar to garlic, onions contain sulfur compounds that create strong odors when digested and are released through the breath.