What causes bad breath? How to avoid bad breath?
People often try to find a quick answer to these questions. The mouth smell solution depends on the source of its origin. Let’s take a look at several crucial factors to understand the halitosis causes and treatment options for the same.
What is halitosis?
Experienced a little dehydration while under sunlight, enjoyed a spicy sandwich with additional garlic sauce, or had too many cups of coffee? Get ready to deal with halitosis! Several food items can cause bad breath (medically known as halitosis). However, chronic halitosis can be a sign of a severe medical condition as well.
Halitosis symptoms
A bitter metallic taste, a burning sensation on the tongue, and thick saliva along with a buildup of a white coating on the tongue and around teeth are some of the symptoms of halitosis.
What causes bad breath in adults?
Besides food items, medical conditions like a build-up of calculus, gum diseases, dry mouth, poorly fitted dentures, acid reflux, and tonsil stones are often found to be some of the causes. Halitosis should not be left untreated because it can be one of the symptoms of severe problems like chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, diabetes, pneumonia, and even kidney-linked issues.
When it comes to children, issues like poor oral health, dry mouth, tongue bacteria, medicines, oral infections, and mouth breathing can cause halitosis.
How to cure halitosis?
In case the foul smell is caused due to poor oral hygiene or eating certain food items, it can be termed as manageable. Brushing twice a day and using floss, and interdental cleaner, to clean food particles, plaque, and other debris from various parts of the mouth can help. Such patients should ensure they do not sleep with dentures in their mouth and use antibacterial mouthwash along with regular brushing before wearing the dentures back in the morning. The patient needs to stop chewing tobacco and smoking cigarettes as well. Most importantly, cracked, infected teeth and gum diseases should be treated quickly.
Remember, brushing and using mouthwash can only offer temporary relief in case the patient suffers from chronic halitosis caused due to other illnesses.
Controlling the intake of junk food and garlic-laden items can surely help in case halitosis is caused due to oral health issues. Patients are often urged to eat carbohydrate-rich foods rather than sugar-laden stuff.
Bad breath is nothing to worry about for crash dieters as cutting back on calories results in increased production of unpleasant smell-releasing ketones.
What causes bad breath from the stomach?
After oral hygiene issues, stomach-related problems happen to be the second most reported cause behind foul smells in the mouth.
The stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria, combined with other factors, result in the same. A physician can prescribe antibiotics to deal with the bacteria after checking the symptoms.
Besides stomach ulcers, even gastroesophageal reflux disease can result in foul odor. In this medical condition, the acid from the stomach travels back into the mouth resulting in a burning sensation in the chest as well as throat. The acid also damages the teeth and triggers the growth of bacteria in the mouth. Doctors conduct tests and prescribe medicines after confirming reflux disease symptoms.
Tonsilloliths result in bad breath from the throat
Debris and bacteria start accumulating in the tonsil, resulting in (white) stones. The condition is also known as tonsilloliths, and if ignored, it further results in a painful throat as well as a foul smell. Detailed oral health inspection may be required to check the symptoms of tonsil stones in the throat area.
Along with bad breath, other symptoms of tonsilloliths are ear pain, swollen tonsils, an accumulation of white-colored debris, as well as trouble swallowing.
A physician may recommend antibiotics, tonsillectomy, or other surgical ways to remove the debris. Drinking plenty of water, gargling with salt water, and controlling the urge to smoke are the necessary steps that the patient cannot avoid.
Poorly fitted dentures can cause halitosis
Food particles often remain trapped between the mouth’s soft tissues and dentures. The patient may not even realize the presence of debris until the dentures are removed for cleaning. Thus, it is advisable to remove the same before sleeping and opt for an antibacterial mouthwash gargle.
Dry mouth bad breath
Saliva plays a crucial role in the functioning of the mouth. It acts as a lubricant and helps in flushing food as well as bacteria. Lack of saliva results in a medical condition called a dry mouth. It promotes bacteria growth, further creating an unpleasant smell. There are several reasons behind the reduction in saliva flow. Allergy to certain medicines, dehydration, consumption too much of alcohol, and mouth breathing may cause dry mouth.
The condition needs urgent medical attention as it can also be one of the symptoms of salivary glands-related diseases.
Halitosis due to anxiety
Studies have pointed out that people suffering from anxiety often breathe using their mouths while asleep. Stress also results in dry mouth and acid reflux further causing halitosis. Thus, depending on the symptoms, the dentist or physician might recommend the patient to opt for an online anxiety severity test before starting the treatment for halitosis.
Who should be approached first for bad breath treatment?
Oral health, especially dental issues happen to be the main troublemaker when it comes to halitosis.
At times, tooth extraction, dental implant, incorrectly fitted dental fixtures, wrongly performed root-canal surgery, and incomplete tooth extraction can also result in a foul smell. So, it is advisable to visit your dentist first for a check-up. Medical professionals should be approached only when advised to do so by a dental care expert.
Remember, rather than opting for a temporary solution like a mouth freshener; it is advisable to seek professional help and understand the root cause of the problem.
Are you worried about how to cure bad breath? If you live in Roswell, GA, you can always book an appointment at TruCare Dentistry and discuss your oral health issues.