Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by a variety of things, including diet, medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or conditions such as diabetes, GERD, lactose intolerance, gum disease, and more. Treatment for bad breath depends on the cause.
If you are taking medications and experiencing chronic bad breath, it is important to speak with your healthcare provider. They may be able to adjust your medication or recommend strategies to alleviate dry mouth and improve your breath.
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Dry mouth, also known as xerostomia, occurs when there is not enough saliva in the mouth. Saliva plays a crucial role in maintaining oral health by washing away bacteria and food particles that can cause bad breath. When there is a lack of saliva, these bacteria and particles can accumulate in the mouth, leading to bad breath.
Our mouth is supposed to be full of saliva most of the time. Saliva helps our mouth stay healthy by killing bacteria and repairing our teeth (albeit very slowly). And it helps remove food debris. If you have a dry mouth, it’s easier for odors to build up because of food or bacteria.
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Every individual has a slightly different community of between 100-200 microbes in their mouth. As we are coming to appreciate the human microbiome and the positive role that the millions of bacteria present in our bodies can play, instead of eliminating bacteria from the mouth altogether, scientists are trying to work out how to get the right combination, by targeting specific bacteria for elimination or using probiotics to encourage certain bacteria in the mouth.
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Chronic diseases can also contribute to bad breath. Conditions such as diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease can cause changes in the body's metabolism, leading to the production of certain chemicals that can cause halitosis. Additionally, dry mouth, which is a common symptom of many chronic diseases, can also contribute to bad breath.
We hope to never have to get to this point since prevention is much better than cure, but sometimes tonsil stones can form on their own and need to be removed before they start to stink.
Tonsil stones are risk-free buildup that will go away on their own. However, the duration of tonsil stones can vary from person to person. They may go away or melt on their own in a short period, or they can also stay for weeks if they are deep in the throat and bacteria continue to grow on them. Besides, if proper oral hygiene is not performed, it may last for years and lead to a more serious problem, such as tonsillitis.
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Besides food items, medical conditions like a build-up of calculus, gum diseases, dry mouth, poorly fitted dentures, acid reflux, and tonsil stones are often found to be some of the causes. Halitosis should not be left untreated because it can be one of the symptoms of severe problems like chronic sinus infections, bronchitis, diabetes, pneumonia, and even kidney-linked issues.
It's important to note that mouthwash should not be used as a substitute for brushing and flossing. It should be used as an adjunct to your regular oral hygiene routine. Mouthwash can help freshen your breath temporarily, but it does not address the underlying causes of bad breath.
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Millions of Americans take multiple prescription medications every day, and the combinations of medications can cause severe dry mouth. A dry mouth does not smell good. In a dry mouth, bacteria can proliferate more readily, leading to heavier plaque buildup and a higher risk for dental diseases.
There are two types of halitosis or bad breath, which can vary depending on the cause. In the following sections, we will define each type and highlight their differences.