Bad Breath
Halitosis, commonly referred to as bad breath, is a chronic condition, and is quite different from morning breath or “after an onion or garlic meal breath”. People affected may not know they have halitosis and so, may learn about it from others which can breed distress and discomfort.
What causes bad breath or halitosis?
Bad breath can come from the mouth, or farther behind, in the throat, sinus or chest region, and it is usually caused by bacteria containing plaque in the oral mucosa, gums, teeth, tongue (intraoral), and other areas of the throat or body (Extraoral).
IN THE MOUTH/INTRAORAL
In the mouth, there are hundreds of bacteria living in the oral region. The bacteria will feed on the food debris remaining in the mouth after you eat leaving a bad-smelling waste product, hence the bad breath.
Bacteria may also harm the teeth, causing cavities; They may harm the gum and its attachments, causing gum disease. Cavities and gum disease further cause bad breath because they are extra holes/pockets in the mouth, helping the bacteria grow even further since bacteria like to hide in holes and pockets, undisturbed. The bacteria in the holes and pockets then continue to produce foul-smelling waste products.
Dry mouth can also cause bad breath, since saliva is absent or not sufficient to remove unwanted debris. Dry mouth can be caused by medications, tobacco use, etc.
Find out more about dry mouth
OTHER CONDITIONS/ EXTRAORAL:
In some cases of halitosis, certain bronchitis, sinusitis, and tonsillitis can be responsible, since bacteria likes the mucous produced and colonizes it during the period of the infection. Also, gastrointestinal disease, uncontrolled diabetes, and advanced kidney or liver disease may also cause halitosis and in such cases, the individual may experience other symptoms prompting a visit to a medical professional. Smoking also causes bad breath aside from increasing your risk for other health problems and staining your teeth. Tobacco irritates the gum tissues and decreases your capacity to taste foods, which is why tobacco users are at a higher risk for gum disease. Considering that smoking also affects the individual’s sense of smell, he or she may also not know they have bad breath.
Learn more about smoking and 5 steps to quit smoking tobacco
WHAT TO DO TO STOP BAD BREATH/ HALITOSIS
If you think you have bad breath, consider improving your dental habits by brushing with toothpaste containing fluoride, twice a day for two minutes and flossing at least once a day. Drink plenty of water as well. Cut back on drinking caffeine or smoking tobacco. Do attend your regular six-month recall dental visits for further evaluation by the dentist and professional cleaning.
If bad breath still persists, consider speaking with your dentist, so they can help evaluate for any intraoral or extraoral conditions producing this symptom.
RESOURCES
– https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath
– https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/bad-breath-what-causes-it-and-what-to-do-about-it-2019012115803
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/symptoms-causes/syc-20350922
– https://www.medicinenet.com/dry_mouth/article.htm
– https://www.healthline.com/symptom/dry-mouth
– https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/dry-mouth/symptoms-causes/syc-20356048