It is one of the hardest
things to say to somebody that their mouth smells.
I've got a friend with the same problem and try as I may, I find it very unfair
to tell him that he has mouth odour.
The sad bit is that he is a forceful speaker and moves very close to your face
to make his point.
I just wish I was bold
enough to tell him outright but ….Let somebody else tell
him.
Bad breath is a common sign of poor oral hygiene, eating
certain foods, using tobacco products, or even dry mouth. The medical term for
bad breath is halitosis. Bad breath results from sulphur compounds released by
bacteria in the mouth, breath odours, or salivary gland dysfunction.
Poor oral hygiene is a common cause of bad breath. Without
brushing and flossing daily, food particles remain in the mouth, tongue, and
between the teeth. These food particles collect bacteria, causing bad breath.
Infections of the gums (gingivitis) and salivary glands can both result in bad
breath. Other common causes include dry mouth and smoking or chewing tobacco.
Certain medical disorders can cause bad breath, such
as sinusitis and
bronchitis. Gastrointestinal disorders may result in breath that smells like faeces;
this may indicate a bowel obstruction. Breath with a fruity odour may be a sign
of diabetic ketoacidosis, a potentially life-threatening condition. Liver
failure may be indicated if breath has an ammonia-like odour.
Bad breath alone is rarely a result of a serious problem.
However, you should seek immediate medical care if you
experience bad breath along with other serious symptoms, such as high fever, difficulty breathing, or prolonged vomiting.
If your bad breath is persistent or causes you
concern, seek prompt medical care.
Other symptoms might occur with bad
breath
Bad breath may accompany other symptoms, which vary
depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.
Oral symptoms that may occur along with bad breath
Bad breath may accompany other symptoms affecting the mouth
including:
- Bleeding
gums
- Bright
red or red-purple appearance to gums
- Dry
mouth
- Gum
tenderness
- Mouth
or facial pain, especially when eating
- Mouth
sores
- Receding
gums
- Redness
over the side of the face or the upper neck
- Sores
that contain pus
- Sore
throat
- Swollen
gums
Bad breath may accompany symptoms
related to the respiratory system and other body systems including:
- Fatigue
- Fever
- Headaches
- Pain,
tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or
forehead
- Postnasal
drip
- Sore
throat
- Stuffy
nose or nasal congestion
Gastrointestinal system symptoms that
may occur along with bad breath
- Abdominal gas or
bloating
- Indigestion
- Heartburn,
or gastroesophageal reflux disease
- Nausea
with or without vomiting
Diabetes symptoms that may occur along with bad breath
Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to diabetic ketoacidosis
including:
- Confusion
- Frequent
urination
- Difficulty
breathing
- Dry
or flushed skin
- Nausea with
or without vomiting
- Thirst
or a very dry mouth
Liver symptoms that may occur along with bad breath
Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to liver failure
including:
- Confusion
- Dark
urine
- Fatigue and
weakness
- Loss
of appetite
- Nausea with
or without vomiting
- Persistent
itching
- Swelling
of the feet and ankles
Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening
condition
In some cases, bad breath may be a symptom of a
life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency
setting. Seek immediate medical care if you, or someone you are with, have any
of these life-threatening symptoms including:
- Breath
that smells like faeces
- Difficulty
thinking clearly
- High fever
- Prolonged
vomiting
- Rapid
breathing or shortness of breath
Causes of bad breath
Bad breath results from the action of bacteria that cause
the breakdown of food particles in your mouth. Eating foods, such as onions and
garlic, are a common source of bad breath. Chemicals from these foods are
absorbed into the bloodstream, carried to your lungs, and exhaled.
Infections of the mouth and gums can cause bad breath and
are often associated with poor oral hygiene. If the mouth and teeth are not
cleaned daily, plaque forms on the teeth, irritates your gums (gingivitis), and
may result in tooth decay.
Dry mouth is a common source of bad breath, occurring at
night from mouth breathing and decreased saliva. Saliva cleanses the mouth and
removes foreign particles. Medications and tobacco use, both of which cause dry
mouth, may lead to bad breath. Bad breath also results from infections in the
upper respiratory tract, including sinusitis,
pharyngitis, laryngitis, and postnasal drip.
Other cases of bad breath are the result of underlying
diseases. Some cancers and metabolic disorders cause a distinctive breath odor
as a result of chemicals they produce. Diabetic ketoacidosis and liver
failure can lead to unusual and distinctive changes in breath. Chronic
reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD)
has additionally been associated with bad breath.
Food or substance causes of bad
breath
Bad breath may be caused by foods and substances including:
- Garlic
- Onions
- Spices
- Tobacco
Dental causes of bad breath
Bad breath can also be caused by dental conditions
including:
- Gingivitis
(infection of the gums)
- Periodontitis
(infection of the gum line involving the teeth and bones)
- Poor
dental hygiene
- Reduced
saliva
- Tooth
decay
- Unclean
dentures
Disease causes of bad breath
Some diseases and conditions may be associated with bad
breath including:
- Bronchitis
- Gastroesophageal
reflux disease
- Salivary
gland infections
- Sinus
infections
Serious or life-threatening causes of bad breath
In some cases, bad breath may be a symptom of a serious or
life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency
setting. These include:
- Bowel
obstruction
- Diabetic
ketoacidosis
- Liver
failure
The
potential complications of bad breath
If not properly treated, some infections and diseases
resulting in bad breath can lead to serious complications including:
- Bowel
obstruction
- Diabetic
ketoacidosis (life-threatening complication of diabetes)
- Kidney
failure
- Liver
failure
Tips to Reduce or Eliminate Mouth
Odour
Brush your teeth and
rinse your mouth thoroughly after every meal to remove food particle from the
mouth.
When you are brushing your teeth, also brush your tongue.
The tongue is covered with thousands of tiny hairs that can trap bacteria.
Chew sugarless gum or suck on sugarless lozenges to increase
the flow of saliva.
If your mouth is dry, drink plenty of water. Try swooshing
it around in your mouth for at least twenty seconds to loosen any food particles
the bacteria can feed upon.
Avoid breath mints and mouthwashes that contain alcohol.
Instead of helping, they can make things worse. They only temporarily cover the
smell and tend to dry the mouth, creating a more favorable environment for
bacteria.
Snacking on vegetables such as raw carrots can keep plaque
from forming.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine consumption, which can dry the
mouth.
Quit smoking. Tar and nicotine can build up on the surface
of the teeth, tongue and cheeks. It can also dry the mouth and inhibit saliva
flow.
A few drops of peppermint or tea tree oil can be applied to
the tongue or toothbrush to help freshen the breath. In addition to its
refreshing nature, their antibacterial properties will kill the bacteria found
in the mouth.
If you are going to an important meeting or on a big date, avoid foods that can cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic.
Chlorophyll is a natural breath freshener and is found in leafy green vegetables like parsley.
Baking soda has a long history of being used to maintain
good oral health and for fighting bad breath.
A mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water can be
swooshed around in the mouth and used as a mouthwash. Hydrogen peroxide can
kill many of the bacteria that can cause bad breath.
Have regular check-ups with your dentist to rule out gum disease and to correct any faulty restorations, overhanging fillings or leaking crowns, all of which can trap food in the mouth.
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