MedicineNet does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See additional information. oral health center/oral health a-z list/bad breath article Medical Author: John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP Medical Editor: Jerry R. Balentine, DO, FACEP Introduction What is bad breath? Causes What are the possible causes of bad breath? Symptoms What symptoms may be associated with bad breath? Diagnosis How do healthcare professionals diagnose halitosis? Treatment How do you treat bad halitosis? Prognosis What is the prognosis for people with halitosis? Halitosis, or bad breath, can be cured with the treatment of the underlying causes.
Other medical conditions such as tonsil stones and postnasal drip can also contribute to bad breath from the throat. Tonsil stones are small, hard deposits that form in the crevices of the tonsils. These stones can harbor bacteria and emit a foul odor. Postnasal drip occurs when excess mucus drips down the back of the throat, providing a breeding ground for bacteria.
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As periodontitis is an advanced stage of gum disease, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene habits to prevent gum disease from the beginning. If it has progressed to the point if periodontal disease, your dentist will be able to suggest the best course of action to start the healing process.
Mouthwash and Halitosis: How to Choose the Right Product
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Tonsil stones form when the food particles, bacteria and mucus gets trapped in the pockets of the tonsils. When you don’t maintain healthy oral hygiene, the particles and bacteria can get trapped. This trapped debris is the hub of bacteria to infest. This can lead to infections and cause symptoms such as soreness, swelling, and even bad breath.
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It was also marketed to dentists as a way to kill germs in the mouth, but no one paid much attention until the 1920s. That's when, as Inglis-Arkell writes, the owner of the company, Jordan Wheat Lambert, and his son, Gerard, came up with a marketing plan that would forever change the dental aisle. The key was an old Latin phrase that had long dropped out of general usage and which, according to writers over at Cracked, meant “unpleasant breath.” A 1928 ad for Listerine reads in part: “No matter how charming you may be or how fond of you your friends are, you can not expect them to put up with halitosis (unpleasant breath) forever. They may be nice to you—but it is an effort.” Bettmann/CORBIS
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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.
These compounds are given off when food and bacteria accumulate in the furrows at the back of the tongue. The good news is that this can be temporary, as a result of eating garlic or raw onions, drinking coffee or smoking cigarettes. But in three quarters of cases some kind of dental problem is found alongside the halitosis. The patients might have gums which are swollen, sore or infected or be suffering from a coating on the tongue.
The Link between Halitosis and Gastrointestinal Problems
If you experience regular bad breath, but aren’t sure of the cause, we can help you narrow it down. In most cases, we can treat the cause. You’ll enjoy not just fresher breath, but improved general and overall health.
Halitosis itself is a symptom of an underlying problem. If you feel a foul odor on your breath when you exhale, look out for the possible causes inside and outside your oral cavity. Another way to check whether your breath has an odor or not is to lick your wrist and let the saliva dry. After a few minutes, smell your wrist to figure out if you have bad breath or not. Since most of the causes arise within the oral cavity, the patient might also present with plaque deposits on the tongue and around teeth, redness and bleeding from gums, and multiple carious lesions.
Brushing helps remove plaque and bacteria from the teeth and gums, while flossing helps remove food particles and bacteria from between the teeth. Using a tongue scraper can help remove the bacteria that can accumulate on the surface of the tongue and contribute to bad breath.
From Minty Mouthwash to Tongue Scrapers: The Best Products for Fighting Halitosis