We’ve probably all suffered from bad breath at some point in our lives. Also known as halitosis, it’s an unpleasant and embarrassing condition that is usually a symptom of bad dental hygiene. For the majority of us, the problem is resolved by paying more attention to oral health and making simple lifestyle changes. But in some cases, halitosis can be indicative of a more serious underlying medical disorder. Either way, the concerns of bad breath should never be ignored.
So, what exactly are the causes of this common hygiene issue, and how can it be prevented? Click through for some breathtaking facts about halitosis.
What is halitosis?
Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad smelling breath.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath is mostly caused by sulfur-producing bacteria that normally live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat.
Poor dental hygiene
Failure to brush your teeth on a regular basis can leave particles of food in your mouth that can break down and cause a bad smell.
Similarly, neglecting to floss teeth can promote the buildup of plaque, triggering issues such as inflammation and decay, as well as halitosis.
Dentures that are not cleaned correctly may be collecting bacteria, fungi, and remaining food particles, which, again, can cause bad breath.
Odor-causing bacteria often collects on the back of the tongue. These can interact with amino acids in foods and produce smelly sulfur compounds.
What you consume
Eating certain foods—onions and garlic, for example—can promote bad breath.
Not drinking enough water can cause halitosis. A dry mouth lacks saliva, which naturally cleans the mouth.
Halitosis can result from some diets. Fasting or low-calorie diets cause your body to break down fats, producing chemicals called ketones.
Ketones give off an unpleasant odor, where your breath tastes metallic or has a chemical smell.
Smoking
Smoking is a notorious trigger for bad breath. Tobacco smoke lingers in the mouth and promotes gum disease, another source of odor. It can also be a cause of oral cancer.
Illnesses and treatments
Halitosis is an unfortunate byproduct of certain diseases, specifically liver failure or cancer.
Surgical wounds after mouth surgery, such as tooth removal, as well as tooth decay, gum disease, or mouth sores, can cause bad breath.
Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include sinus infections, lung infections, tonsillitis, gastrointestinal disorders, bronchitis, and diabetes.
You may also get bad breath from taking certain drugs. Offenders include antihistamines, sedatives, antidepressants, and decongestants. This is usually because they dry out the mouth.
Additionally, drugs used in chemotherapy tend to promote bouts of halitosis.
Less common causes of halitosis include ketoacidosis, which affects diabetics with very low insulin levels. Bowel obstruction and aspiration pneumonia are two other potential sources of bad breath.
Morning breath
The condition known as morning breath is very common. Saliva production decreases while you’re sleeping, leaving you with dry mouth at night. Since saliva usually flushes out odor-causing particles, you’re left with bacterial buildup that makes its presence known with its distinctive sour aroma. Morning breath is a natural part of the day for most, but poor oral hygiene can also be a cause of the condition.
Do I have bad breath?
Bad breath is not always apparent to the sufferer. You may be told about it by someone else, which can be embarrassing. So, how can you discreetly check whether or not you have halitosis?
Checking for bad breath
A quick and simple test to find out whether you have bad breath is to lick the inside of your wrist with the back of your tongue. You should wait a few seconds until the saliva dries. If your wrist smells unpleasant, it’s likely your breath does, too.
Diagnosing halitosis
You’re more likely to be diagnosed with halitosis by your dentist. Take advantage of the fact by requesting a full oral examination. If the cause cannot be identified, make an appointment with your dental doctor for further tests.
Treatment for halitosis
Treatment depends mainly on the cause of the condition. But the first thing you can do is improve your oral hygiene. The golden rule is to brush your teeth twice a day, floss regularly, and use mouthwash. If you wear dentures, take them out at night and clean them completely before putting them back in your mouth.
Get into the habit of using a tongue scraper. Dead cells, food, and bacteria can build up on the tongue, especially at the back of it. Removing it regularly with this handy device can have a significant impact.
To avoid dry mouth, drink plenty of water, which will help ensure that you have lots of saliva. Avoid excess alcohol, and don’t smoke.
Change your diet. Avoid halitosis-causing foods, such as sugar, spicy food, garlic, and onions. Instead, turn to fiber-rich fruit and vegetables like apples, oranges, carrots, mangoes, celery, etc. Fiber is excellent for scrubbing your mouth clean while creating more saliva.
If gum disease is diagnosed, you’ll probably be referred to an oral specialist—in most cases, a periodontist. A periodontal cleaning often helps to remove the bacteria and tartar or plaque that has built up and is causing inflammation at the gumline and, in turn, causing your breath to smell.
A periodontist will also recommend a follow-up antimicrobial mouth rinse and use of the aforementioned tongue scraper.
When is bad breath serious?
If bad breath becomes a chronic symptom, it’s important to voice your concerns with a doctor.
While diagnosis and treatment of an existing health condition may get rid of the bad breath, advanced liver or kidney disease and uncontrolled diabetes can also lead to unpleasant breath.
At Physioveda Medical Center, we offer a range of teeth whitening services to meet your specific needs. Our most popular treatment is the Zoom Teeth Whitening system, known for its fast and effective results.
