Infections in the mouth, including gum and bone disease, can contribute to bad breath. The bacteria that causes gum and bone disease or infections, like a dental abscess, often has a very strong odor.
It's wise to brush those gnashers regularly to avoid whiffy breath, even if you're a hippo at London Zoo (Credit: Getty Images)
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If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.
In addition to drinking water, consuming foods that have high water content, such as fruits and vegetables, can also help keep the mouth hydrated. Avoiding dehydrating beverages such as coffee and alcohol can also help prevent dry mouth and bad breath.
Certain medical conditions can also cause bad breath from the throat. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition where stomach acid travels up the esophagus, causing heartburn and other symptoms. This acid reflux can also lead to bad breath as the stomach acid reaches the throat.
Bad breath that is due to simple causes such as foods may be more easily masked or eliminated than bad breath due to medical conditions, infections, or medication side effects.
Diabetes can reduce blood flow throughout the body, including gums, by damaging blood vessels. Additionally, diabetes can raise glucose levels in the mouth which may breed bacteria and promote infection. If someone with diabetes develops periodontal disease, it will often take them longer to heal and it will be more severe than someone without diabetes.
Several factors can cause or contribute to the formation of tonsil stones, such as the following: Substances such as food, dead cells, mucus, and bacteria may get stuck in the nooks and crannies of the tonsils. The body’s immune system, which sees these as foreign invaders, sends white blood cells to the area to fight infection. When the white blood cells are done, they leave small calcifications behind. Usually, these small stones are swallowed but sometimes they get stuck in the tonsillar crypts and continue to grow into tonsil stones. Small stones are common; large stones are rare. Chronic or recurring tonsillitis (inflammation of the tonsils) Large tonsils Chronic sinus problems Poor dental hygiene Certain medications that make your mouth dry
Gargling with salt water can help dislodge tonsil stones and reduce inflammation in the tonsils. Mix a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water and gargle for 30 seconds before spitting it out.
The reasons for bad breath range from the not-so-bad (you had a slice of garlic pizza) to the more urgent (you’ve got an infection). Understanding some of the most common causes of bad breath can help you work with your dentist and hygienist to put together a plan to keep unpleasant mouth odors away.
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When it comes to children, issues like poor oral health, dry mouth, tongue bacteria, medicines, oral infections, and mouth breathing can cause halitosis.
Saliva helps displace bacteria in the mouth that causes bad odors. When you have dry mouth, odor-causing bacteria is not washed away by saliva, resulting in bad breath. This is why most people have "morning breath;" your saliva production decreases when you are sleeping causing dry mouth and bad breath.
Breathe Easy with These Effective Halitosis Cures and Remedies
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Bacteria is usually to cause of bad breath, but there are a number of health conditions that can be a culprit as well. Bad breath may be the first warning sign to more serious problems. Postnasal drip, respiratory and tonsil infections, sinus problems, diabetes, liver and kidney issues, and certain blood disorders can be causes of bad breath. It’s rare, but bad breath can be a sign of cancer or other serious conditions like metabolic disorders.
Take the Dental Health Quiz to test your IQ of oral hygiene, cavities, and common tongue and gum diseases. This quiz covers healthy mouths and teeth from brushing to flossing and everything in between check-ups!