What Health Problems are Associated with Bad Breath?

Having halitosis – more commonly known as bad breath – can be embarrassing. For some, it can even cause anxiety. An although there are lots of mints, gums, mouthwashes and other products made to fight bad breath, most of them are only temporary cures because they do not really address the root cause of the problem.

There are certain food items, habits and health conditions that cause bad breath. In many causes, bad breath can be improved with consistent proper dental hygiene. If such self-care techniques do not work, a dentist or physician can assess you and see if a more serious health condition is causing the problem.

Symptoms of Bad Breath

Bad breath odors vary; it will depend on the source or underlying cause. There are people who worry too much that they have halitosis even when they only have little or no mouth odor, while some are not even aware that they have it. It can be difficult to assess the smell of your own breath, so try asking a relative or friend about it.

If you have halitosis, look into your oral hygiene habits and try to make changes to them. You can start brushing and flossing more often, or drinking more water. See your dentist when your bad breath persists even after you make these adjustments. If your dentist suspects that you have a more serious health problem causing the bad breath, you will be referred to your physician to determine the underlying cause.

Causes of Bad Breath

• Food intake. Food breakdown in the mouth can increase bacteria, leading to foul odor. Consuming certain food like garlic, onions and spices can cause halitosis. Once these foods are digested and enter the bloodstream, they are carried into the lungs, affecting your breath.
• Tobacco products. Smoking causes unpleasant mouth odor. Those who smoke and use oral tobacco products also have a higher chance of developing gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.
• Poor dental hygiene. When you fail to brush and floss daily, food particles remain in the mouth and cause bad breath. Plaque forms and, when not brushed away, will irritate the gums and lead to periodontitis. The tongue can also trap bacteria that cause odors. Also, dentures that are ill-fitting or are not regularly cleaned can be a cause of halitosis.
• Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse the mouth. It removes particles that cause bad odors. Dry mouth is a condition where saliva production is decreased, leading to bad breath. It naturally occurs during sleep, which is the cause of “morning breath.” Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a salivary glands problem or other disease.
• Medications. Certain medications can cause dry mouth, leading to halitosis. Other medications, once broken down in the body, release chemicals that are then carried on your breath.
• Mouth infections. Surgical wounds following oral surgery, like tooth extraction, can develop bad odor in the mouth. Bad breath can also be caused mouth sores, tooth decay and gum disease.
• Other mouth, nose and throat problems. Bad breath can sometimes be caused from bacteria-covered small stones forming in the tonsils that can product odor. Chronic inflammation or infections in the throat, sinuses and throat can contribute to post-nasal drip and cause halitosis.
• Other causes. Certain diseases like some cancers and metabolic disorders can cause bad breath because of the chemicals they produce. The same goes with gastroesophageal disease or GERD. Among young kids, bad breath can be caused by a foreign body lodged in their nostril.

If changing or improving your oral health hygiene is not doing anything to get rid of your bad breath, perhaps it is time that you visit your dentist. You might have an underlying health problem or condition that might be causing it.