Why Eyeglasses Don't Smell After Cleaning With Breath A Detailed Explanation
Have you ever wondered why eyeglasses don't smell after cleaning them with your breath? It's a common practice – we breathe on our lenses and wipe them clean with a cloth or even our shirt. But why doesn't this leave our glasses reeking of bad breath? Let's delve into the science behind this everyday phenomenon.
The Science of Smelly Breath and Eyeglasses
Understanding the Components of Breath: The reason your breath sometimes smells unpleasant is due to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs). These compounds are primarily produced by bacteria in your mouth, particularly on the tongue and in areas where food particles get trapped. These bacteria break down proteins, releasing sulfurous gases like hydrogen sulfide (the same gas that gives rotten eggs their characteristic odor), methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide. The concentration of these compounds determines how strong your breath smells.
When you exhale, you're not just releasing VSCs. Your breath is a complex mixture of gases, primarily nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, and water vapor. It also contains trace amounts of other gases, including the VSCs responsible for bad breath. These VSCs are in very low concentrations compared to the other components of your breath.
The Cleaning Action of Breath on Eyeglasses: When you breathe on your eyeglasses, you're primarily depositing moisture and a small amount of other gases onto the lens surface. The moisture acts as a solvent, helping to loosen the dirt, dust, and oils that have accumulated on the lenses. This is similar to how water is used to pre-soak dishes before washing them.
Why the Smell Doesn't Linger: The reason your eyeglasses don't usually smell after cleaning them with your breath is a combination of factors:
- Low Concentration of VSCs: The concentration of VSCs in your breath is generally quite low, especially if you have good oral hygiene. While VSCs are responsible for bad breath, the amount deposited on the lenses is often minimal.
- Evaporation: Water vapor, the primary component you deposit on your lenses when you breathe on them, evaporates quickly. As the moisture evaporates, it carries away some of the loosened dirt and oils. Any VSCs present also evaporate along with the water, further reducing the chance of a lingering odor.
- Wiping Action: The act of wiping your lenses after breathing on them is crucial. Wiping removes the loosened dirt, oils, and any remaining moisture. This physical removal process ensures that the VSCs are also wiped away, preventing them from concentrating on the lenses and causing a smell.
- Material of the Lenses: Most modern eyeglass lenses are made from materials like plastic or polycarbonate, which have smooth surfaces. These smooth surfaces don't readily absorb or trap odors. Any VSCs that might remain on the surface are less likely to bind to the material and cause a lasting smell.
The Role of Oral Hygiene: Your oral hygiene plays a significant role in determining how much your breath might affect your eyeglasses. If you have poor oral hygiene, you're likely to have a higher concentration of VSCs in your breath. In such cases, breathing on your glasses might leave a faint odor, although it's still unlikely to be a strong or persistent one.
Factors Influencing Odor Perception
Individual Sensitivity to Smells: People have varying levels of sensitivity to different smells. What might be a noticeable odor to one person could be imperceptible to another. If you have a heightened sense of smell, you might be more likely to detect any faint odors left on your eyeglasses after cleaning them with your breath.
Environmental Factors: The environment you're in can also affect how you perceive smells. In a well-ventilated area, any odors from your breath are likely to dissipate quickly. However, in a confined space, the same odors might be more noticeable.
Type of Cleaning Cloth: The type of cloth you use to wipe your eyeglasses can also play a role. A clean, microfiber cloth is ideal for removing dirt, oils, and moisture without leaving any residue. A dirty or oily cloth, on the other hand, might trap odors and transfer them back onto the lenses.
When Breath Cleaning Might Not Be Enough
While breathing on your eyeglasses is a quick and convenient way to remove minor smudges and dirt, it's not a substitute for proper cleaning. For more thorough cleaning, especially if your glasses are heavily soiled or oily, you should use a dedicated lens cleaner and a microfiber cloth. These cleaners are specially formulated to remove dirt, oils, and other contaminants without damaging the lenses or coatings.
Professional Lens Cleaners: Professional lens cleaners typically contain a mixture of water, isopropyl alcohol, and a small amount of detergent. This combination effectively dissolves oils and removes dirt without leaving streaks or residue. Avoid using household cleaners, as they can damage the lens coatings.
Microfiber Cloths: Microfiber cloths are made from tightly woven synthetic fibers that are extremely effective at trapping dirt and oils. They are also gentle on lenses and won't scratch them. Always use a clean microfiber cloth to wipe your eyeglasses.
Alternative Cleaning Methods
If you're concerned about the potential for odors or just want a more thorough cleaning method, here are some alternatives to breathing on your eyeglasses:
- Running Water and Dish Soap: You can wash your eyeglasses with warm water and a small amount of mild dish soap. Be sure to rinse them thoroughly and dry them with a clean microfiber cloth.
- Lens Cleaning Wipes: Pre-moistened lens cleaning wipes are a convenient option for on-the-go cleaning. They are individually packaged and contain a cleaning solution that is safe for lenses.
- Ultrasonic Cleaners: Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to create tiny bubbles in a cleaning solution. These bubbles gently dislodge dirt and debris from the lenses. Ultrasonic cleaners are a good option for deep cleaning but should be used sparingly.
Conclusion
So, why don't eyeglasses smell after cleaning with breath? The answer lies in the low concentration of VSCs in your breath, the rapid evaporation of moisture, and the physical removal of contaminants during wiping. While breathing on your glasses can be a quick fix for minor smudges, it's essential to maintain good oral hygiene and use proper cleaning methods for optimal lens clarity and hygiene. By understanding the science behind this everyday practice, you can keep your eyeglasses clean and odor-free.
In summary, the common practice of cleaning eyeglasses with breath is generally safe and doesn't result in lingering odors due to the low concentration of volatile sulfur compounds, the evaporation of moisture, and the physical wiping action that removes contaminants. However, for a more thorough clean, especially when glasses are heavily soiled, using a dedicated lens cleaner and microfiber cloth is recommended. Maintaining good oral hygiene also plays a role in minimizing any potential odors.