Seeing people cover their noses when you talk or laugh because of a bad smell emanating from your mouth can be a terrible hit to your self-esteem. Almost everyone has dealt with bad breath at some point in their lives.
But that doesn’t make the effects any less. If you’re concerned about the smell gushing out of your mouth, then it’s time you dug into the root cause. While the shops are booming with mints, mouthwashes, gums, and other remedies for bad breath, most of these products only offer temporary solutions. They don’t address the underlying problem. So, you may use them all your life.
Knowing the likely cause of bad breath is the first step to finding a permanent solution.
Bad breath, medically referred to as halitosis, typically occurs due to poor oral hygiene, lifestyle habits, and diet. But, it could also mean the presence of an underlying health issue. The issue may have something to do with your oral health or not. Here are some possible causes of your predicament.
Poor oral hygiene is the most notorious cause of bad breath. Not cleaning your teeth, tongue, and other parts of your mouth regularly causes food particles to stick on the surface of your tongue, gingival tissue, or between your teeth. These food particles form a sticky buildup known as plaque.
The bacteria in your mouth will then break the food particles, releasing sulfur compounds that cause bad breath. Also, plaque increases your chances of suffering from various dental conditions, such as tooth decay and periodontal diseases. These conditions are known to cause bad breath, as well.
Poor oral hygiene may also cause gum inflammation (gingivitis), which increases the risk of bad breath. Not cleaning your dentures thoroughly before wearing them back every morning can also encourage the buildup of odor-causing bacteria.
The foods you eat are absorbed into your bloodstream, after which they find their way into your lungs and affect the air you exhale. A diet rich in high-flavored or high-odor foods like onions and garlic will likely cause a foul smell on your breath.
In most cases, bad breath related to consuming high-odor foods won’t disappear even after thorough flossing, brushing, or mouthwash. These remedies may temporarily suppress the smell, but the bad breath will only go away when the food finally passes through your body.
Sugary foods may also cause your mouth to smell. The naturally occurring bacteria in your mouth digests sugars, turning the sweet tastes into a sour smell.
Some foods to keep off if you’re concerned about the smell include:
Whether someone uses chew, a pipe, or cigarettes, tobacco products can irritate your gum tissues and increase your chances of suffering from gum diseases.
Bad breath that doesn’t cease even after changing your diet or maintaining oral health could indicate an underlying health condition. For instance, untreated gum (periodontal) disease can lead to a smelly mouth.
Mouth infections, including periodontal disease, dental caries, or mouth sores, can also cause your breath to smell. Similarly, surgical wounds (like those from extracted teeth), throat infections, or digestive system disorders can cause bad breath.
Sinus problems, respiratory infections, tonsils, and postnatal drip are some of the most common causes of bad breath. Also, patients struggling with liver or kidney problems have presented cases of bad breath.
On some rare occasions, bad breath has appeared as one of the signs in patients suffering from metabolic disorders, stomach ulcers, or cancer. Some other conditions to look out for in case of undefined halitosis include:
Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, is a common cause of bad breath. Saliva washes away dead cells accumulating in your cheeks, tongue, and gums, moistens the mouth, and defuses acids produced by plaque.
Without the process, the dead cells will decompose in your mouth and lead to bad breath. The acids can also react to produce poor odor chemicals. That’s why most people with low saliva production may complain of bad mouth odor.
Dry mouth can occur due to salivary gland problems, the medications you’re using, or if you breathe through your mouth. The problem is most serious in the morning with people who sleep with their mouths open.
Thankfully, you can easily recover your fresh breath every morning through thorough tongue cleaning, mouth washing, and tooth brushing.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription medicines. The odor-causing bacteria thrives well in a dry mouth, increasing the risks of suffering from bad breath. Some medicines are carried into your bloodstream during break-down and find themselves into your lungs, affecting your breath.
Also, using a cottonmouth for an extended period can get uncomfortable and cause halitosis.
Drinking alcohol in excess reduces saliva production, leaving your mouth dry. Like other cases, a dry mouth offers a thriving environment for odor bacteria and increases your chances of halitosis.
Thus, you may want to check on your alcohol intake to control the problem.
Bad breath is a common problem for many people. The intensity of the smell varies from one person to the next, depending on the underlying cause.
There are many types and causes of bad breath with halitosis being the most chronic form. It's easy to self-diagnose bad breath as you are likely to feel a foul smell coming from your mouth as you breathe or speak.
An obvious sign that you may be having a bad breath is when you notice people turning to face the opposite direction when you laugh or talk.
If you’re unsure, consider asking someone close to you to check for you. This can be done an hour after brushing your teeth, but before eating. Most probably in the morning after waking up.
Bad breath is treatable. The duration and process of treatment differ from one case to the next, depending on the underlying cause. Bad breath resulting from poor oral hygiene, for instance, can get better if you focus on thoroughly cleaning your dentures, gums, and tongue, and brush and floss your teeth regularly.
The products you use in your oral hygiene also matter. You may want to purchase products with the ADA Seal of Acceptance for the best results. That confirms that they meet the ADA safety and effectiveness criteria.
Also, consider drinking lots of water to moisten your mouth. Sugarless candies and chewing gums also help in stimulating the production of saliva. Hard fruits like apples and carrots are also effective in clearing the odor-causing plaques.
If all your home remedies fail to work, it may be time you seek professional help. The dentist will help you determine the cause of your predicament. If they suspect an underlying problem, you may receive a doctor’s referral to address the health-related causes.
Sometimes, you may have to visit a periodontist for a thorough diagnosis and treatment of gum infections.
Bad breath is a common struggle. While poor oral hygiene, diet, and lifestyle habits are the common causes, they’re not the only culprits. Seek freedom from the problem by getting help immediately.
Change your habits, boost your oral hygiene, and check your diet. If all those don't work, you're better off receiving professional guidance at the dentist's office.
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