Your liver is also supposed to filter out toxins. And like the kidneys, when it’s not doing its job, the result can be a toxic buildup that you can smell. The type of breath related to liver disease is called fetor hepaticus, and it’s usually described as a musty smell. If you have this type of bad breath, you need to talk to a doctor.
In addition to being mindful of your diet, it is important to drink plenty of water throughout the day. Water helps keep your mouth hydrated and washes away food particles and bacteria that can contribute to bad breath.
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One natural remedy is saltwater gargles. Gargling with warm saltwater can help reduce inflammation and kill bacteria in the mouth and throat. This can help alleviate symptoms and prevent the formation of tonsil stones.
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.
Food particles often remain trapped between the mouth’s soft tissues and dentures. The patient may not even realize the presence of debris until the dentures are removed for cleaning. Thus, it is advisable to remove the same before sleeping and opt for an antibacterial mouthwash gargle.
Another way that alcohol can lead to bad breath is by changing the makeup of bacteria in your mouth. A study published in Microbiome found that people who drank the most were more likely to have bacteria in their mouths that contributed to bad breath.
As stated above, tonsils have many gaps, pits, and crevices known as tonsillar crypts. They trap viruses, bacteria, fungi, and other germs and make the immune system fight infections. Sometimes, crevices can add debris such as bacteria, food, and dead cells, leading to calcium build-up forming the stones.
The buildup of bacteria that causes a cavity can cause bad breath, as well as untreated cavities and further decay can produce a foul-smelling odour.
If your bad breath smells like ammonia, it could be a sign that you may have kidney disease. The kidneys filter out and remove waste and toxins – such as urea, which breaks down into ammonia – from the body through urination. Kidneys also regulate blood pressure and control red blood cell production.
Conclusion: Taking Steps to Prevent and Treat Throat-Related Bad Breath
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 tonsils are relatively soft pieces of tissue at the back of the throat. Debris such as saliva, mucus, and food particles can collect at the back of the mouth and become trapped in a pocket of soft tissue. Over time, the debris can harden. The presence of the stone invites fungi and bacteria to feed. It is the accumulation of microorganisms around the stone that leads to bad breath.
This route bypasses the standard digestive process, which means any harmful substances you’re ingesting are not broken down properly along the digestive chain. This harms your internal organs including the esophagus, which also causes bad breath.
Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils. Gargling after eating can also prevent food buildup.
Antibiotics may be prescribed in cases where tonsil stones are accompanied by an infection. Antibiotics can help kill the bacteria causing the infection and reduce inflammation in the tonsils.
Bad breath can also affect children, and it is important for parents to be aware of the causes and prevention strategies. Common causes of bad breath in children include poor oral hygiene, dental issues such as cavities or gum disease, and respiratory infections. Additionally, certain habits such as thumb sucking or mouth breathing can also contribute to halitosis.
Another side effect of smoking is dry mouth, caused by bacteria in the mouth from tobacco. Dry mouth has a significant correlation to smoking, which is also a leading cause of halitosis. Dry mouth not only affects breath, but also affects gingivitis, making an even bigger case for the importance of regular dental checkups if you are a smoker.