What is Bad breath?
Bad breath is a very common problem; more than 80 million people suffer from chronic Halitosis (Bad Breath). The odor can result from health condition, unhealthy habits, food particles, or other debris in your mouth.
- Dental Issues:
The source of 90% of bad odor is oral cavity such as poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, tongue coat, food impaction, unclean dentures, faulty restorations, oral carcinomas, and throat infections
By the poor oral hygiene, food debris and dental bacterial plaque accumulate on the teeth and tongue, and cause cavities and gum disease like gingivitis and periodontitis. Poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries (cavities) can also be trap for bacteria that cause bad breath
- Gum disease:
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth may be a warning sign of gum (Gingivitis) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.
- Dry mouth:
Saliva is the key ingredient in the mouth, which helps keep the odor under control by washing away food and bacteria.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) also can cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten the mouth, neutralize acids produced by plaque, and wash away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be a side effect of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
4. Stress
Stress can be deadly. It raises blood pressure, causes an imbalance of hormones, wreaks havoc on the adrenal glands, and – on top of it all – can lead to bad breath. We’ve all experienced a dry mouth when we’re feeling anxious thanks to the stress hormones adrenaline, Noradrenaline and Cortisol. Decreased saliva flow is the primary reason for dry mouth, which can lead to bad breath. In other words, stress results in dry mouth because it contributes to this decrease in saliva flow.
5. Skipping meals
Not eating during the day may cause you to develop unpleasant “fruity” breath from ketoacidosis. If you’re eating a low-carb diet and your body is burning fat instead of carbohydrates for fuel. That can trigger ketosis, a chemical reaction that leaves your breath with either an odd fruits-and-nuts odor (not unlike perfume worn by your least-favorite aunt) or smelling like nail polish remover, never a come-hither scent.
6. Mouth breathing
Something else that dries out the mouth and reduces saliva is mouth breathing. While this may not seem like a major issue, you might be surprised to discover the many ways that this bad habit can affect your life. When you keep your mouth open to breathe, you’re increasing your chances of experiencing dry mouth, which allows oral bacteria to run wild, unchecked by the saliva that usually washes it away. This is sure to cause some mighty bad halitosis mouth breathing may contribute to conditions such as asthma, sinusitis, gum disease, snoring, sleep apnea, anxiety and possibly hypertension and obesity. This is because unlike your nose, your mouth does not naturally act as a filter. The nose collects the pollution, dust and bacteria that you encounter in the mucous membranes that line the nasal cavity, which helps debris from spreading elsewhere in the body – the mouth does not.
- Coffee
While coffee is a tasty way to start the morning, it has the potential to cause bad breath. The unfortunate aspect of coffee is that while it prevents sleepiness and temporarily boosts alertness, rarely do coffee drinkers seem fully aware of their breath. This is because coffee breath does not immediately set in upon drinking the beverage. Initially, the mouth will smell like fresh coffee, arguably not a bad smell. It takes several hours for the mouth to begin developing the stale funk that the nose associates with coffee breath. Coffee is largely acidic, unless specifically leached out and sold as low-acid beans.
8. Some foods:
Dietary products such as garlic, onions, spiced foods, and canned tuna, can cause transient unpleasant odor or halitosis.
- High Protein diet:
Dairy, meat, and fish contain dense proteins that can lead to halitosis. High-protein diets may be popular, but one downside is bad breath. The body normally breaks down protein into amino acids, of which ammonia is a by-product. The liver would convert the ammonia into urea, a benign organic compound that the kidneys dispel of in the form of urine. But if the body is starved of carbohydrates and depending on protein for most of its energy, the liver may not be able to handle the high levels of ammonia. Therewithal drugs such as alcohol, tobacco, and betel may also create the same effect.
- Medical problems
Many diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems.
Why should I visit my dentist?
In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and the odor is not of oral origin, you may be referred to your family doctor or to a specialist to determine the odor source and treatment plan. Our experienced dentists in Victory Plaza Dental Group, can help you find the etiology of bad breath, and ultimately, they will help you to fight the bad breath.