Chronic Diseases and Halitosis: Understanding the Connection
It's wise to brush those gnashers regularly to avoid whiffy breath, even if you're a hippo at London Zoo (Credit: Getty Images)
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Top 5 Mouthwashes for Fresh Breath
Certain medications can have a negative impact on oral health and breath. As mentioned earlier, some medications can cause dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. Additionally, certain medications can cause changes in taste or odor in the mouth, resulting in unpleasant breath.
The reasons for bad breath range from the not-so-bad (you had a slice of garlic pizza) to the more urgent (you’ve got an infection). Understanding some of the most common causes of bad breath can help you work with your dentist and hygienist to put together a plan to keep unpleasant mouth odors away.
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Saliva is a naturally occurring substance in our body that keeps the mouth, esophagus and digestive tract clean. Think of it as engine oil for your mouth and digestive system. Breaking your fast in the morning regenerates saliva so that the digestive system can continue to do its job. Skipping breakfast brings this entire process to a halt, introducing certain compounds in your mouth that not only lead to dryness but also bad breath.
Should you have any questions or concerns regarding your oral health, we are more than happy to sit down with you and discuss how you can achieve a beautiful, healthy smile. Professional Associations (972) 556-2122 5205 N. O’Connor Blvd, Suite 150, Irving, TX 75039 Notice of Privacy Practices Privacy Policy Terms of Use
Cardio-Thoracic And Vascular Surgery Critical Care Dental Dietetics Emergency and Trauma Cosmetic & Plastic Surgery Dermatology & Cosmetology Endocrinology General & Laparoscopic Surgery Internal Medicine & Rheumatology Intervention Pain Management Nuclear Medicine Ophthalmology Pancreas Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Pulmonary Medicine Bad breath. It’s a problem most of us wish to avoid whenever possible. If you spend time brushing in the morning and at night and you floss your teeth and drink plenty of water throughout the day, it is only right to expect that your breath would be relatively fresh most of the time. The thing is, bad breath doesn’t always have to do with your teeth. Sometimes, the odor may stem from a sinus problem. Sometimes, it originates right at the back of the throat with what are called tonsil stones.
Interestingly, we find that more people are noticing an unpleasant smell as they wear the requisite masks during the current COVID-19 pandemic. So it is appropriate to ask the question: Does wearing a mask give us the opportunity to smell our own breath?
How smoking and alcohol consumption contribute to bad breath
Bad breath can also be caused by certain health conditions, such as dry mouth or diabetes.
Whether you have a tonsil stone, have already removed it, or just want to avoid them, adding a drop of these essential oils to your toothbrush when you brush your teeth can help fight the anaerobic bacteria that give tonsil stones their foul smell.
Tonsil stones are small formations that develop in pockets within the tonsils. When you look in your mouth, you may see the white or yellow formations that are causing your breath to change for the worse. Tonsil stones are not growths. They typically don’t pose a health concern. They are more of a nuisance that can create mild discomfort depending on size (stones can range from the size of a grain of rice to a grape).
Terms of UseAbout the BBCPrivacy PolicyPrivacy PolicyCookiesCookiesAccessibility HelpParental GuidanceContact the BBCMake an editorial complaintBBC emails for youAdvertise with usCopyright © 2023 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking. oral health center/oral health a-z list/tonsil stones article Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Medical Editor: Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD Introduction What are tonsil stones? Causes & Risk Factors What are causes and risk factors of tonsil stones? Symptoms What are the symptoms of tonsil stones? Diagnosis How are tonsil stones diagnosed? Treatment What are the treatments for tonsil stones? Home Remedies How do you get rid of tonsil stones at home? Prognosis How long do tonsil stones last? Prevention How to prevent tonsil stones Tonsil stones can form when food, mucus, and bacteria get stuck in the craters of the tonsils.
Saliva plays a crucial role in the functioning of the mouth. It acts as a lubricant and helps in flushing food as well as bacteria. Lack of saliva results in a medical condition called a dry mouth. It promotes bacteria growth, further creating an unpleasant smell. There are several reasons behind the reduction in saliva flow. Allergy to certain medicines, dehydration, consumption too much of alcohol, and mouth breathing may cause dry mouth.
Halitosis vs. normal bad breath: What's the difference?