Causes of Bad Breath
What Are The Causes Of Bad Breath?
Many people assume bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene or eating certain foods. While these are common reasons some people have foul-smelling breath, there are other health-related causes of bad breath. Let's consider some of the reasons why people have bad breath, medically referred to as halitosis.
Diet
Diet is one of the most common causes of bad breath. Certain foods are well-known for causing foul breath, such as onions and garlic. As our digestive system breaks down these food, odors are released as the molecules are absorbed into the circulatory system and distributed through the body. Blood travels through our lungs as as we exhale, the fumes from these molecules are released in our breath. While mouth wash or gum temporarily masks the odors from foods, they will still be noticed. The best way to get rid of this type of bad breath is to simply avoid the foods that cause it.
Smoking
Smoking causes bad breath. As smoke is inhaled, it also builds up on a person's teeth, cheeks, tongue and gums. Smoking dries oral tissues and increases the risk of periodontal disease. The result is the unpleasant breath frequently called “smoker's breath”. Steer clear of smoking for fresh breath.
Dental Hygiene
Dental hygiene plays a big part in having clean breath. When you have cavities, a dental abscess or periodontal (gum) disease, your breath will have a sick smell. Bacteria builds in your mouth from decaying food particles. Brushing and flossing regularly prevents cavities, dental abscesses, gum disease and bad breath. Scraping your tongue gets rid of bacteria that builds up causing bad breath. People with dentures should make sure to properly clean them to avoid foul-smelling breath.
Bacteria
Bacteria is one of the leading causes of bad breath and creates that “rotten egg” smell. Having good oral hygiene gets rid of the bacteria that naturally builds up in your mouth. According to Joseph J. Zambon, D.D.S., Ph.D., professor of oral biology and periodontology in the UB School of Dental Medicine it is important to identify the bacteria to get rid of bad breath. Zambon states, “Current therapy is aimed at reducing the number of bacteria in the mouth by procedures such as tongue scraping. But all the bacteria that can cause the disease are not known. What is known is that some of the bacteria that cause bad breath produce volatile sulfur compounds, so current therapy is directed against these bacteria. But there are other bacteria in the mouth that can cause bad breath that we are trying to identify. Once the bacteria are identified, we can develop better treatments." Flossing, brushing and scheduling regular dental checkups are still the best ways to get rid of common types of bad breath.
Beverages
Certain beverages are one of many causes of bad breath. If you are lactose intolerant, you may have foul breath after dairy products such as milk. Coffee and tea give your breath a distinctive smell. Alcohol lingers on your breath and makes your mouth dry causing an odor. Laura Brinker, spokesperson for Procter & Gamble, says, “It is true that alcohol, at high concentrations, contributes to dry mouth, which exacerbates bad breath and the growth of germs. Alcohol draws moisture out of the tissues in your mouth, and also slows salivary flow … Since saliva is limited, the bacteria is not being diluted or washed out. This means bad-breath germs and other germs become concentrated in the mouth.” When you avoid offending beverages, you get rid of bad breath.
Dry Mouth
Most people have dry mouth when they wake up, commonly referred to as “morning breath”. Public speakers such as teachers and attorneys may suffer from dry mouth after talking for a long period of time. Chronically dry mouth is also known as xerostomia, which may be the result of taking certain medications or may come with age. Those with dry mouth can ask a dentist for a saliva substitute. Dr. Harold Katz states, “"If you dry out the tissues, the smelly compounds that the bacteria produce are no longer naturally washed away, and you get a pungent experience. The drier your mouth, the less saliva you have, which is nature's way of keeping your breath fresh.” Water and alcohol-free mouth washes help to keep the tissues moist to get rid of bad breath caused by dry mouth.
Stress
Stress may also cause bad breath. Because of the link between periodontal disease and stress, bad breath may be an unwanted side effect. Stressing out over bad breath will certainly not make it better.
Stomach Acid
Acidic food and beverages can cause acid to build in your stomach causing bad breath. Those with acid reflux may also suffer because of regurgitated food and acid that comes up from the stomach. Avoid acidic foods and consult with a physician if you think you may have acid reflux.
Serious Health Problems
Bad breath can also be caused by serious underlying health problems. For example, if your breath has a fishy odor is could be a sign of chronic kidney failure. Breath with a feces scent may occur with a bowel obstruction or if there is prolonged vomiting. A fruit odor can mean excess acetone, a sign of ketoacidosis which occurs in diabetes. Sinus conditions with postnasal drip can cause smelly breath. Other problems that may cause bad breath include respiratory, gastrointestinal and liver. A physician can tell you if bad breath is a sign of other health problems.
Consequences of Bad Breath
Bad breath make us feel self-conscious and can be offensive to others. Dating, kissing, talking and meeting with clients can become difficult when you are worried about bad breath. While bad breath is not life threatening, it can be a sign of a life-threatening health condition.
Dealing With Bad Breath
Good oral hygiene and a diet without smelly foods or beverages usually improves most cases of bad breath. Otherwise, visit a dentist to see if there are other reasons for the problem. If a dentist cannot determine the cause of bad breath, check with a doctor to see if there is a health issue involved. Newsweek reported 25 percent of Americans suffer with bad breath, so you are not facing this problem alone.
Thank you to Stacey Doyle for this "Causes of Bad Breath" article.
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