Bad Breath: Causes, Diagnosis, and Treatment
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One of the most common oral health issues is bad breath. A good teeth cleaning might solve this problem in some cases. However, many bad breath causes are medical conditions that need to be treated appropriately. Even the most simple things like eating certain foods might cause temporary bad breath. It is vital to know the causes of your bad breath to take action and prevent other issues. From simple embarrassment to health-related issues, stinky breath can cause a lot of trouble. In this article, you will learn more about the causes of bad breath and how to deal with them efficiently.
Causes of Bad Breath
The bad breath medical term is halitosis. Most types of bad breath smells happen of oral causes. However, some other factors can influence your breath. Here are the most common causes of stank breath.
Oral Causes
- Eating food. Simply eating any type of food leaves particles in your mouth that need to be cleaned up. If you fail to clean them regularly or miss something, these particles start to break down and create bacteria that affect your mouth smell. In addition, certain types of food are naturally smelly, and eating them will result in a temporary bad mouth smell. As opposed to constant bad breath, you can have foul breath after eating pungent garlic, onion, certain cheeses, etc.
- Smoking. Tobacco has a distinctive odor, and smoking results in a bad smell from your mouth. It is common for smokers to suffer from gum disease, which is one of the main bad breath causes.
- Bad oral hygiene. It is important to brush your teeth properly twice a day or more if you want to clean all the food particles and plaque building up on your teeth. Floss and other additional cleaning tools can be used to reach difficult areas. If you wear braces or other dental systems, they require extra maintenance to achieve good oral hygiene. Plaque and food particles can also cause various oral conditions, such as gum disease, periodontal disease, etc.
- Dry mouth. If you have been wondering what causes morning breath, dry mouth is the answer. This is natural after sleeping, and this odor can be easily removed by brushing your teeth or using mouthwash. However, having dry mouth constantly means dealing with a condition called xerostomia. Various diseases and issues with saliva can lead to having dry mouth.
- Medicine. Certain medications might smell bad and leave this odor in your mouth. Sometimes, medicines can cause dry mouth, which also leads to bad breath
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- Wounds. Having wounds after dental procedures, such as tooth removal, or as a result of various diseases usually leads to a poor smell in your mouth. You can contact a periodontist to deal with such issues.
Non-Oral Causes of Bad Breath
When searching for where does bad breath come from, it is important to consider non-oral causes as well. Here are some of the potential causes of poor breath:
- Respiratory infections and conditions;
- Diabetes;
- Gastrointestinal issues;
- Issues with kidneys or liver, etc.
Diagnosing Bad Breath
It is usually easy to diagnose bad breath on your own. If you have a bad taste in your mouth, you probably also have poor breath. You can ask your friend or family member to smell your breath to determine for sure. It is also possible to lift a hand up to your mouth and have a smell yourself. If you are not sure whether you are having trouble with bad breath, it is better to refer to the dentist who will check your mouth condition.
Treatment for Bad Breath
There are many causes of halitosis and treatment solutions. Some of them you can do yourself, while the others require professional assistance.
Oral Hygiene Practices
The easiest way to deal with bad breath is to keep your mouth and teeth clean. Brush your teeth regularly at least twice a day. Change your toothbrush every two months or after you have been sick. Use high-quality toothpaste or ask for recommendations from your dentist. Floss your teeth to clean the remaining food particles and use mouthwash to remove bacteria and have a fresh breath.
Diet and Lifestyle Changes
A healthy diet is beneficial for your health overall, and it can influence your breath. Eating more fruit and vegetables will result in fresh breath, whereas drinking coffee or eating junk food and smelly products will do the opposite.
Medical Treatments
Your dentist might suggest using special antibacterial mouthwash if necessary. Special toothpaste or even medications might be prescribed to deal with bad breath effectively. To determine the medical treatment you need, it is necessary to see a dentist for a checkup.
Professional Dental Treatments for Halitosis
To deal with medical causes of bad breath, professional treatment might be needed. Patients can brush their teeth and scrape their tongues by themselves, although there are professional services for that if you need extra care. Periodontal treatment might be required for your teeth and gums. For patients with a dry mouth condition, there is saliva-stimulating treatment and more.
How to Prevent Bad Breath?
If you are having bad breath warning signs, it is better to work on preventing it than treating various conditions afterward. Here are some general recommendations on how to prevent bad breath:
- Maintain oral hygiene. Always brush and floss your teeth to keep them clean. Take care of your dental systems properly to keep them clean as well.
- Choose a healthy diet. Eating healthy is the best way to take care of your body and your mouth in particular.
- Avoid smoking. It is a harmful habit that damages your oral health right away. Bad breath is common among smokers.
- Keep your mouth moist. If you do not have enough saliva to avoid dry mouth, drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth regularly. You can use humidifiers during the night to avoid extra dry mouth in the morning.
- Go to checkups regularly. It is always advised to see your dentist at least once a year for regular checkups. If you often deal with oral and dental conditions or there is a higher risk of developing them, see your doctor at least every six months.
If you notice that your breath smells bad, do not panic right away. Try to clean your mouth properly and use other accessible methods to eliminate bad breath. If you are unable to identify the issue, make sure to see your dentist for professional advice and treatment. Bad breath might lead to more serious conditions, so remember to treat it until it is too late. Focus on preventing bad breath if possible to avoid developing oral conditions.
Bad Breath: The Most Common Questions
Does dry mouth cause bad breath?
Yes, dry mouth is actually a medical condition also called xerostomia. It can be one of the reasons for bad breath as there is not enough saliva to provide moisture and clean the mouth. The dead cells building up in your mouth can lead to a bad smell.
Does plaque cause bad breath?
When talking about bad breath, gum disease is a frequent factor. This disease can develop because of plaque buildup on your teeth. While plaque forms naturally, it is important to remove it regularly by brushing your teeth and using floss.
Does saliva have a smell?
Saliva itself is odorless, although it usually carries bacteria and other particles that appear in your mouth. In case of poor dental hygiene or various diseases that can be in your mouth, saliva might smell and result in foul breath.
How do I make my breath smell good?
Keeping your mouth clean and removing bad breath bacteria is the best way to freshen your breath. Brush your teeth and floss regularly to remove buildup. You can scrape your tongue and use mouthwash to achieve better hygiene. Avoid smelly foods like garlic that cause horrible breath, although temporary.
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