Getting a whiff of bad breath is repulsive, and when it’s your own breath, it can ignite feelings of embarrassment and worry. According to Medical News Today, an estimated 25 percent of people suffer from bad breath. If you fall into that stinky category, don’t lose hope. The first step is finding the cause of the odor, and secondly, treating it.
If your bad breath is chronic, you have what is called halitosis. It’s mostly caused by oral conditions such as poor oral hygiene, gum disease, problems with dental work, and rarely, serious medication conditions like cancers and infections. Unfortunately, halitosis can lead to severe anxiety and withdrawal from social interactions, a real condition known as “halitophobia”.
When getting to the root of your bad breath problem, here are some possible causes.
Digestive disorders: A common culprit of bad breath is related to diet, ahem, garlic and onions. The stench from certain foods enters the bloodstream and lungs, which intensifies the odor. Another main digestive cause is due to GERD, which is when stomach acid and contents seep up into the esophagus. Common symptoms of GERD include acidic reflux, bloating, excessive burping, and gassiness.
Dry mouth: This happens when there’s a reduction of saliva flow. Saliva plays a huge role in flushing out bacteria and food debris. When there’s too little of it, the excess bacteria releases a bad odor. Since saliva production slows down during sleep, this why people get “morning breath.”
Failed dental work: Decay or food can become trapped beneath dental restorations such as crowns and bridges. This is typically only a problem when there is some sort of damage, for instance, a cracked filling. Also, ill-fitting dental appliances like dentures can trap odors and harbor bacteria, resulting in bad breath.
Gum disease: This is caused by a buildup of plaque, which creates a breeding ground for bacteria. Toxins from bacteria can irritate gums, making them inflamed and infected. Worse than bad breath, untreated gums disease can lead to permanent damage such as tooth loss.
Medical conditions: Sometimes bad breath is unrelated to your mouth and can be a symptom of systemic conditions or diseases such as cystic fibrosis, diabetes, respiratory problems, and even certain cancers.
Poor oral hygiene: Not brushing or flossing enough? This is probably the first thing to consider while pondering the cause of your bad breath. Also, your tongue can trap smelly odors so make sure to brush it well or use a tongue scraper. If slacking on your oral hygiene routine is making your breath stink, good thing it’s a fairly simple fix!
Sinusitis/sinus infection: Bad breath is a common symptom of sinus problems, particularly a sinus infection. This happens when there’s excess mucus that doesn’t drain properly or a buildup of bacteria in the nasal secretions, which causes the foul odor.
Smoking/tobacco use: Smoker’s breath is easily identified and not so easy to cover up. Even other forms of tobacco use such as chewing tobacco can cause a stale odor that often lingers.
Tonsillitis/tonsil stones: Closely located near the mouth, the tonsils can be bad breath offenders. Tonsillitis is a common cause of bad breath because the tonsils become inflamed and infected. If your tonsils have deep crevices and grooves, they might be susceptible to forming tonsil stones, which are calcified pieces of debris and icky stuff that smell bad. Gross but true story.
After discovering the cause of your bad breath, you will need to treat it. If it’s beyond your mouth, your dentist will suggest you visit your primary care physician or a specialist, depending on the situation. Regardless of what’s causing your bad breath, there are many ways you can make it fresh. And sorry to say, but breath mints will only mask the odor, not get rid of it.
Freshening Up
Here are tips for maintaining fresh breath.
- Brush 2x day, or after each time you eat
- Clean your tongue thoroughly
- Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva
- Drink water to avoid dry mouth
- Floss at least once a day
- Munch on crunchy foods like apples and carrots
- Visit your dentist regularly
- Quit smoking and using all forms of tobacco
If you have questions or concerns regarding bad breath, call us at 954-344-4488, or complete an online appointment request to schedule your consultation.