Causes of halitosis can originate either inside or outside your mouth. A person with poor oral hygiene maintenance has a higher chance of halitosis than who regularly brushes. Common causes include gingivitis, periodontitis, dental caries, excessive plaque accumulation on teeth and tongue, pericoronitis, or oral ulcers. Food substances having a strong, pungent smell are another common cause. Frequent smoking, alcohol, or caffeine intake results in temporary bad breath. Any diseases or medications that cause dryness of the oral cavity are another contributing factor. Outside the oral cavity, inflammation of the tonsils or sinuses is another important factor that affects the quality of breath. Gastric diseases, especially gastroesophageal reflux, are another cause of halitosis.
Your breath is composed of complex substances with variable odors that can generate unpleasant situations such as halitosis that affects more than 50% of general population[iii]. The odor is caused by the presence of bacteria in the mouth, tooth decay, presence of waste materials, leftover food particles and etc. Numerous causes can contribute to halitosis and induce this bad breath that is difficult to eliminate. Some of the most common causes[iv] include:
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Cigarette smoke has a very strong odor, so it should be little surprise that it’s a common cause of bad breath. Cigarettes and other tobacco products can also increase your risk of gum and bone disease, which can also contribute to bad breath.
Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference in your breath.
Halitosis, or bad breath, is a common symptom of tonsil stones. The stones themselves do not have a strong odor, but they can release volatile sulfur compounds when they interact with bacteria in the mouth. These compounds have a foul smell and can cause persistent bad breath.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that can help improve oral health and combat halitosis. These bacteria can help restore the natural balance of bacteria in the mouth, reducing the growth of odor-causing bacteria.
Natural remedies used in the treatment of bad breath include chewing on mint or parsley. If bad breath is due to a health problem such as a sinus infection, diabetes, acid reflux (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD), etc., then the underlying medical issue needs to be treated. If bad breath is a side effect of taking a medication, discuss with a health care professional whether other options for medication can be taken. Never stop taking a medication without first consulting your health care professional.
Conclusion: Taking Steps to Prevent and Treat Throat-Related Bad Breath
The Connection between Smoking and Bad Breath from the Throat
Coconut oil is commonly used for oil pulling due to its antimicrobial properties. Swishing coconut oil in the mouth for 10-15 minutes can help kill bacteria and freshen breath. It is important to note that oil pulling should not replace regular oral hygiene practices but can be used as a supplement to maintain good oral health.
Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are and when they should be reported.
Using tobacco products will most certainly cause a bad breath and treatment would be to stop smoking when you are ready. Talk to your doctor for advice and support.
Understanding the causes of bad breath can help you make the necessary decisions and changes to address the problem. There are quite a few potential causes of bad breath, and many people have more than just one. While it can be tough to discern exactly which of these problems are leading to the unpleasant smell, we have tools to address each one of them.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) is caused by allergies, infection, and chemicals or other irritants of sinuses. Signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally with antibiotics and at times, home remedies.
If you suspect that your bad breath is caused by sinus issues or allergies, it is important to see a healthcare professional for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. They may recommend nasal sprays, antihistamines, or other medications to help alleviate your symptoms and improve your breath.
If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not oral in nature, you may be referred to your family physician or to a specialist to determine the cause of the odor and possible treatment. If the odor is due to gum disease, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum tissues. Gum disease can cause gum tissues to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. When these pockets are deep, only a professional periodontal cleaning can remove the bacteria and plaque that accumulate. Abscessed Tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of... Halitosis - Bad Breath Causes and Characteristics Halitosis, or bad breath affects an estimated 65% of Americans. Over... Bulimia Nervosa And Oral Health People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is... Is A Canker Sore A Cold Sore? People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated.... Tooth Decay And Cavities What Is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities... Toothache And Toothache Causes Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and... Diabetes And Your Dentist People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire... Dry Mouth Causes And Treatments Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse... Fluorosis Condition and Causes Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In... Gum Disease - Gingivitis Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum... What Causes Wisdom Teeth Issues And Why Would They Need To Be Removed? Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of... Do You Have A Cut Or Laceration To Your Mouth? Any kind of cut to your face and the delicate soft tissues inside your... Oral Cancer Warnings and Prevention Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest... Plaque On Teeth Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids.... Sensitive Teeth And Tooth Sensitivity If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of... Teeth Grinding - Bruxism Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit.... TMJ And Jaw Disorders People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left... Missing Teeth and New Teeth Implants Fixed bridges and implants are often used to replace missing teeth and to correct... Chipped or cracked a tooth? Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn... Gum Lifts For Excessive Or Uneven Gums Many people inherit the problem of excessive or uneven gums. An aesthetic...
Liver disease – it can be inherited or caused by different factors that harm your liver, especially alcohol as well as cirrhosis, hepatitis A, B, C, D and E. Symptoms include fatigue, nausea, vomiting, weight loss and yellowing of the skin. Bad breath also seems to be quite the common symptom of liver disease. The liver detoxifies the body by expelling toxins, but diseases that affect its function prevent the liver from doing its job. The accumulation of toxins causes a foul odor in your breath.