Introduction
The definition of bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant smell coming from the mouth. Halitosis can occur on occasion, or it can be a chronic condition. It may be caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, diseases, or other factors.
.
If you smoke, quit. Ask your healthcare provider for help. You will have better smelling breath and a healthier body overall.
One of the main symptoms of this gum disease is bad-smelling breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This condition needs care right away by an oral health provider.
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...
Introduction: The Surprising Causes of Chronic Bad Breath
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.
Laura Clark is a writer and editor based in Pittsburgh. She's a blogger with Smart News and a senior editor at Pitt magazine. Filed Under: Advertisements, Cool Finds, Health, Marketing Smart News History Science Innovation Arts & Culture Travel At The Smithsonian Podcast Photos Video Smithsonian Institution Smithsonian.com Smithsonian Store Smithsonian Journeys Smithsonian Channel Smithsonian Books Smithsonian Membership About Smithsonian Contact Us Advertising RSS Member Services Sustainability Terms of Use Privacy Statement Cookie Policy Advertising Notice © 2023 Smithsonian Magazine Privacy Statement Cookie Policy Terms of Use Advertising Notice Your Privacy Rights Cookie Settings
To make herbal tea for fresh breath, steep a tea bag or a teaspoon of dried herbs in a cup of hot water for 5-10 minutes. Strain the tea and let it cool down to a comfortable temperature. Drink the tea slowly, swishing it around in your mouth before swallowing. Repeat this process several times a day for best results.
Related LinksOral Care NewsOral Care ReferenceOral Care SlideshowsOral Care QuizzesOral Care VideosBad BreathDry MouthHealthy Mouth EvaluatorMouth SoresOrthodonticsSigns of Gum DiseaseTeeth GrindingTemporomandibular Disorders (TMD)Tooth DecayMore Related Topics
After oral hygiene issues, stomach-related problems happen to be the second most reported cause behind foul smells in the mouth.
Dry mouth is one of the leading causes of halitosis and can be the result of stress, medications, radiation or chemotherapy, tobacco or recreational drug use, and autoimmune diseases such as Sjorgren’s syndrome.
Unfortunately, even more people are unaware of strong bad breath. These may suffer rifts in personal relationships, avoidance by people at work or social occasions, or romantic rebuffs without understanding the underlying cause. People with chronic bad breath are less likely to advance within the workplace.
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.
2. Dental Treatment of Active Diseases – You cannot win the fight against bad breath if you have cavities and/or gum disease. Both of these bacterial infections continue to worsen and grow over time without intervention. Stop them by undergoing any recommended dental treatment.
Americans spend more than $1 billion a year on over the counter halitosis products, many of which are ineffective because they only mask the problem.
4. Monitor their oral health: Keep an eye out for any signs of dental issues, such as tooth decay or gum disease. If you notice any changes in your child's breath or oral health, consult their dentist for further evaluation.