Halitosis, another name for bad breath, can be both embarrassing and, in certain situations, anxiety-inducing. The abundance of gum, mints, mouthwashes, and other breath-freshening products on store shelves is not surprising. However, a lot of these products are merely temporary fixes. This is due to the fact that they fail to address the root of the issue. Bad breath can be caused by a variety of things, including certain foods, medical conditions, and habits. By keeping your mouth and teeth clean, you can often improve bad breath. To make sure a more serious condition isn’t the cause of your bad breath, consult your dentist or another healthcare provider if you are unable to resolve it on your own.
Signs and symptoms
The cause of foul breath odors varies. Despite having little to no mouth odor, some people obsess over their breath. Some people are unaware that they have foul breath. Ask a close friend or family member to confirm whether you have bad breath because it can be difficult to tell.
When to consult a physician
Examine your oral hygiene practices if you have foul breath. Try changing your habits, like drinking lots of water, using dental floss, and brushing your teeth and tongue after meals.
Consult your dentist if your bad breath persists after making adjustments. You might need to see another medical professional to determine the source of your foul breath if your dentist believes it is due to a more serious condition.
Reasons
Your mouth is where most foul breath begins. There are numerous potential reasons, such as:
Food. Food particles breaking down in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and give off an unpleasant odor. Bad breath can also result from eating certain foods, like garlic, onions, and spices. These foods affect your breath after they are digested because they enter your bloodstream and travel to your lungs.
Tobacco Products can Harm
Bad mouth odor is a result of smoking. Another cause of foul breath is gum disease, which is more common in tobacco users.
Not cleaning your teeth and mouth.
Bad breath results from food particles staying in your mouth if you don’t brush and floss every day. Plaque is a colorless, sticky layer of bacteria that builds up on your teeth. Plaque can aggravate your gums if it is not removed. It may eventually result in pockets of plaque between your teeth and gums. Gingivitis is the starting stage of gum disease . Periodontitis is a late-stage gum disease that causes bone loss. Odor-producing bacteria can also be trapped on your tongue. Along with fixed or removable oral appliances like braces that aren’t cleaned frequently or don’t fit correctly, dentures can also gather food particles and bacteria that cause odors.
Dry mouth. Saliva aids in mouth cleansing by eliminating debris that contributes to unpleasant odors. Because you produce less saliva, you may have xerostomia, also known as dry mouth (zeer-o-STOE-me-uh), which can contribute to bad breath. During sleep, dry mouth naturally happens, resulting in “morning breath.” If you sleep with your mouth open, it gets worse. Some diseases and issues with the salivary glands can result in persistent dry mouth.
Medications.
Certain medications can cause dry mouth, which can result in foul breath. Other medications are broken down by the body, and chemicals that can be carried on your breath are released.
Infections in the oral cavity. Bad breath can be brought on by surgical wounds from oral surgery, such as tooth extractions, as well as gum disease, tooth decay, or mouth sores.
Additional disorders of the mouth, nose, and throat.
Bad breath can result from bacteria covering tonsil stones, also known as tonsilloliths, which are tiny stones that develop in the tonsils. Postnasal drip can be caused by infections or persistent swelling in the throat, sinuses, or nose. This occurs when fluid travels down the back of your throat from your nose. Bad breath can also result from this condition.
additional reasons. Certain cancers and other illnesses can produce a characteristic breath odor. The same is true for conditions that affect how the body converts food into energy. Bad breath can result from persistent heartburn, a sign of gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD. Young children may have foul breath due to a foreign object, like a piece of food stuck in their nose.
Eating foods that are known to cause bad breath, like garlic, onions, and spices, increases your risk of developing bad breath. Smoking, poor oral hygiene, certain medications, dry mouth, oral infections, and certain illnesses can all contribute. Furthermore, cancer or other illnesses like GERD can cause foul breath.
