When to See a Doctor for Halitosis: Serious Underlying Causes and Treatment Options
Other things to avoid are alcohol, sugary foods, caffeine, and carbonated beverages. These foods and drinks can dry out your throat and feed the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath and tonsil stones in the first place.
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Gum disease is an infection of the area between your teeth and gums. As the pockets of bacteria grow deeper, anaerobic bacteria flourish. These bacteria “breathe” sulphur instead of oxygen, and produce smelly byproducts. The odor is like rotten eggs or may even be corpselike.
Rinsing your throat will kill some of the anaerobic bacteria that grow on your tonsil stones and soften the growth.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. You can go over a list of your medications with them to see if any of them could be adding to the problem. Work with them to keep diabetes, allergies, and other conditions under control.
The most obvious symptom of halitosis is persistent bad breath that does not go away even after brushing or using mouthwash. Other symptoms may include a sour taste in the mouth or a white coating on the tongue.
Although tonsil stones are rarely serious, they are be unsightly, uncomfortable, and cause secondary conditions such as halitosis so bad your friends and family may consider a restraining order....
Tonsil stones are formed when debris, such as food particles and dead cells, gets trapped in the tonsil crevices. The debris can become trapped in the crypts of the tonsils and harden, forming tonsil stones. Some people are more prone to tonsil stones than others, and there are several factors that can increase the risk of developing them.
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Smoking can dry out your mouth, resulting in bad breath, and make your mouth smell like an ashtray. Furthermore, smokers are more prone to gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.
3. Promote healthy habits: Encourage your child to drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep their mouth hydrated. Limit their consumption of sugary foods and drinks, as these can contribute to bad breath.
Mouthwash can be an effective tool in combating halitosis. It can help kill bacteria in the mouth and freshen breath. When choosing a mouthwash, it is important to look for one that contains antimicrobial ingredients, such as chlorhexidine or cetylpyridinium chloride.
Viruses and illnesses, especially those that affect the sinuses, nasal passages, and throat, can sometimes result in halitosis. Offensive breath often accompanies colds and sinus infections. The American Dental Association has reported that chronic bad breath can sometimes also be a sign of certain liver and kidney diseases.
Phase I and II trials have already been conducted into killing the bacteria most often implicated in tooth decay. The substance has been trialled as a gel applied in a clinic and next it will be tested as a varnish, again applied in a clinic, but accompanied by strips which people can take home and apply to their teeth as a follow-up treatment. This opens up the possibility in the future for using similar methods to target the bacteria most often implicated in bad breath.
Alcohol consumption can also contribute to bad breath by drying out the mouth. Additionally, alcoholic beverages can leave a distinct odor on the breath. Reducing or quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve breath odor.
These tiny abscesses are usually only a couple of millimeters wide, so it can be challenging to find them. Still, one of the most noticeable symptoms of tonsil stones is the rotten-egg smell of sulfur.
Chronic sinus infections and post-nasal drop often lead to bad breath, as do persistent throat infections. Some people suffer from infections in the stomach that travel up the esophagus into the mouth, leaving a bad smell. Severe acid reflux and GERD can cause a bad odor, and certain metabolic disorders emit unpleasant gases through the breath.