Your tonsils have a very important role. They’re supposed to trap bacteria and debris that would otherwise go into your lungs or stomach. Unfortunately, sometimes they accumulate too much, creating balls of bacterial residue called tonsil stones. These can smell very bad and contribute to bad breath.
The first thing many people do if they suspect they have bad breath is to reach for the mouthwash. The mint or clove flavouring does of course, disguise the smell for a short time, and many mouthwashes also contain antiseptic. The idea is to eliminate the bacteria that leads to foul-smelling compounds. For a time this can work. But there has been some debate concerning containing alcohol and whether it does or doesn’t exacerbate dehydration. A very dry mouth can cause breath to smell worse.
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Tonsillectomy: It is the surgical removal of tonsils. This procedure can be done using a scalpel, laser, or Coblation device.
Your doctor can usually diagnose tonsil stones with a physical exam. If they’re hidden in the folds of your tonsils, you might need imaging tests, such as CT or MRI scans, to spot them.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that build up on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. In fact, morning breath is worse for people who sleep with their mouths open.
Severe mouth odor is typically caused by dental infections that require treatment by a qualified dental professional. Other common causes of bad breath include diets containing certain foods, smoking and other tobacco use, poor oral hygiene, some medications, and may even result from health conditions present throughout the body.
The same spices that make a meal a work of art can leave a strong scent lingering on your breath. Foods and spices such as garlic, onion, spicy foods, curry, some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering smell. These smells usually fade quickly or can be fixed by giving your mouth a quick rinse with some mouthwash or chewing a piece of sugar-free gum.
An infected tooth needs to be treated with root canal therapy or extracted right away. Signs of an infected tooth include a tooth that becomes discoloured, sores on the gums, local warmth, and fever.
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Postnasal drip is the secretion of mucus from the nose and throat. This mucus is full of bacteria and easily breeds more, which can cause infection and bad breath. Additionally, dairy products can increase mucus production, making it thicker and worsening post-nasal drip or congestion.
Small tonsil stones may not cause any symptoms that you’d notice. Even when they’re large, some tonsil stones are found only after X-rays or CT scans. Symptoms include:
If the odor is due to gum disease, for example, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a dentist who specializes in treating gum conditions.
What is halitosis and what causes it?
Bad breath from the throat can be embarrassing and affect one's confidence in social situations. Understanding the causes and taking steps to prevent and treat bad breath from the throat is essential for improving overall health and well-being.
Drinking plenty of water can also help prevent tonsil stones and bad breath. Staying hydrated helps keep the mouth moist, reducing the risk of bacterial overgrowth and the formation of tonsil stones.
If you have a cavity, it is the perfect place for food to get stuck and bacteria to build up.
When we eat, small food particles can get stuck in between our teeth or on the surface of our tongue. If these particles are not properly removed through brushing and flossing, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria. The bacteria then produce sulfur compounds that give off an unpleasant odor.