Bad Breath- Causes, Symptoms And Treatment

By Author: Dr. Gaurav Sharma
Total Articles: 36
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Halitosis or bad breath can be embarrassing and may even cause anxiety sometimes.

Anyone can suffer from bad breath and there can be many causes for the problem.

Most of the products on store shelves designed to fight bad breath like gum, mints, and mouthwashes are only temporary measures because they don't address the main cause of the problem.

The causes of bad breath include certain foods, health conditions and certain habits.

Bad breath can be improved in many cases with regular and proper dental hygiene.

However, if self-care techniques don't solve the problem, one must see a dentist or physician to rule out any serious condition that may be causing the bad breath.

According to some studies, bad breath is the third most common reason after tooth decay and gum disease, for people to seek dental care.

What are the Causes of Bad Breath?

Bad breath can start both inside and outside of the mouth and is generally caused by bacteria present on the teeth and debris on the tongue.

The possible causes of Bad Breath include:

Food: The bacteria can increase ...
... by the breakdown of food particles in and around the teeth causing a foul odour. Certain foods, like onions, garlic and spices can also cause bad breath. After these foods are digested, they enter the bloodstream and are carried to the lungs, affecting the breath. Other common foods that can cause bad breath are Cheese, Certain spices, Orange juice or soda and Alcohol

Tobacco products: The use of tobacco products and smoking cause their own type of unpleasant mouth odour, stain teeth and reduce the ability to taste foods. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more prone to having gum disease, which is another source of bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene: Brushing and flossing daily is important to ensure the removal of the food particles from the mouth. These food particles can otherwise cause bad breath. A colourless, sticky film of bacteria called plaque can also form on the teeth due to improper brushing and if not brushed away, plaque can irritate the gums and ultimately irritate the gums and form plaque-filled pockets between the teeth and gums, a condition which is called gum disease or periodontitis.

Bacteria can be trapped in the tongue also, producing a bad odour. Also, the Dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can give breeding place to odour-causing bacteria and food particles.

Dry mouth: Saliva produced in the mouth can naturally cleanse it, removing particles that cause a bad odour. However, the mouth is dry or dry due to a specific disease, such as xerostomia, and bad breath can build up. A problem with the salivary glands and some diseases can also cause chronic dry mouth.

Infections in the mouth: Surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal can also cause bad breath or it can be caused as a result of tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores.

Other mouths, nose and throat conditions: Small bacteria covered stones can form in the tonsils sometimes and can produce odour and cause bad breath. Moreover, Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat can contribute to postnasal drip, causing bad breath or halitosis.

Drugs: Saliva can be reduced by certain medications, increasing the odours. There are some drugs that can produce odours as they break down, releasing chemicals in the breath. These include nitrates used to treat angina, some chemotherapy chemicals, and some tranquilisers. Taking vitamin supplements in large doses can also make one prone to bad breath.

What are the Symptoms of the Bad Breath?

The odours of the bad breath can vary, depending on the source or the underlying reason.

Few people tend to worry too much about their breath even when they have little or no mouth odour, while others may have bad breath and be unaware of it.

As it is difficult to assess one's own breath, it's better to ask a close friend or relative to confirm if your breath has a bad odour.

To Read More, Visit the link below:

https://www.kirklandpremierdentistry.com/blog/bad-breath-causes-symptoms-and-treatment