What Causes Bad Breath And How to Get Rid Of It?

Bad breath is a condition characterized by an unpleasant odor in the breath and is usually resolved with a proper oral hygiene routine.Bad breath is a problem that can affect a person's private life and social relationships and can sometimes indicate an underlying different health problem. If bad breath is solely related to oral hygiene, regular tooth brushing, using mouthwash and dental floss can help significantly reduce or eliminate the odor.

What Is Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

Bad breath (halitosis) is the unpleasant odor of a person's breath. Bad breath can be temporary or permanent. Temporary bad breath can be caused by nasal congestion, consumption of odor-causing foods, alcohol consumption, indigestion, and hunger. Chronic bad breath, on the other hand, is regular and develops due to an underlying health problem. Tooth decay, plaque formation on teeth, reflux, sinusitis, diabetes, liver or kidney failure are among the health problems that usually cause persistent bad breath.

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What Are The Symptoms Of Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

Bad breath is primarily noticed by the person themselves or those close to them, and the first symptom is foul mouth and breath odor. Symptoms of bad breath include:

• Noticeable foul odor in breath
• Bad taste in the mouth
• Dry mouth
• Yellow or white coating on the tongue
• Frequent urge to clear the throat
• Feeling of stickiness in the mouth
• Reappearance of bad breath after brushing teeth, flossing, and using mouthwash
• Tonsillitis (tonsil stones)
• Increase in bad odor upon waking up in the morning

What Causes Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

The primary and common cause of bad breath is bacterial plaque inside the mouth. Food residues accumulating especially on the back surface of the tongue and between the teeth are broken down by bacteria, and during this process, sulfur compounds are produced, causing bad breath.

Causes of bad breath include:

• Intraoral bacteria, plaques
• Dry mouth
• Gum diseases
• Tooth decay
• Tonsillitis (Throat-tonsil stones)
• Lack of oral hygiene
• Smoking and tobacco use
• Frequent consumption of foods such as onions, garlic, etc.
• Hunger and diets involving prolonged fasting
• Eating foods that are hard to digest
• Stomach problems such as reflux, etc.
• Sinusitis and nasal congestion
• Diseases such as diabetes, liver failure, kidney failure
• Alcohol consumption
• Certain medications

How To Get Rid Of Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

The first thing to do to get rid of bad breath is to establish a detailed oral care routine including items such as dental floss, mouthwash, and tongue scraper. Ways to get rid of bad breath include:

• Brushing teeth at least 2 times a day
• Cleaning the tongue surface
• Using dental floss
• Preventing dry mouth
• Using alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash
• Having regular dentist check-ups
• Quitting smoking and tobacco products
• Reducing alcohol consumption
• Reducing or avoiding odor-causing foods such as garlic, etc.
• Not neglecting the treatment of systemic diseases such as diabetes, sinusitis, reflux, etc.
• Cleaning dental prostheses regularly

How Is Bad Breath (Halitosis) Diagnosed?

Bad breath can be diagnosed during a dentist examination. A person can also notice the bad breath problem on their own or with the warning of their close circle, but opinions from a dentist, internal medicine specialist, endocrinologist, or gastroenterologist can be obtained for the cause of the bad breath.

What Is Good for Bad Breath?

Bad breath can be significantly reduced with oral hygiene. When the underlying causes of bad breath are treated or brought under control, bad breath can decrease or completely disappear. Regular tooth brushing, using mouthwash, using dental floss, preventing tooth decay, chewing gum, reducing alcohol, quitting smoking, consuming plenty of water, and resolving health problems causing bad breath are good for bad breath.

What Are The Foods That Cause Bad Breath?

Garlic and onions cause bad breath for a long time both in the mouth and in the breath after being digested due to their sulfur content. Some spices like fenugreek and curry have a very strong odor and can cause temporary bad breath. Foods that cause bad breath include:

• Garlic
• Onion
• Fenugreek
• Pastrami
• Cheese
• Orange juice
• Alcohol

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath

Is There A Medication For Bad Breath?

There is no medication for bad breath; bad breath disappears when the underlying problems are treated. Bad breath associated with chronic diseases decreases or stops completely when the disease is brought under control.

Why Does Bad Breath Occur Despite Brushing Teeth?

Brushing teeth regularly can reduce bad breath but does not eliminate it completely because just brushing teeth is not enough; routines such as tongue cleaning, using dental floss, etc., must also be applied regularly. In addition, if there are different underlying causes for bad breath, it will not go away even if teeth are brushed.

Why Does The Mouth Smell When We Wake Up In The Morning?

Saliva production decreases and the number of intraoral bacteria increases during the night, which is why the mouth smells upon waking up in the morning.

Deficiency Of Which Vitamin Causes Bad Breath?

Directly, no vitamin deficiency causes bad breath, but it can have an indirect effect. Deficiency of vitamin C and B vitamins can cause tooth and gum diseases, indirectly leading to health problems.

Which Organ Causes Bad Breath?

Teeth, gums, tongue, and salivary glands are the primary organs causing bad breath. Some health problems that may occur in upper respiratory tract organs such as the nose, sinuses, throat, and organs such as the stomach, lungs, liver, and kidneys can also cause bad breath.

Which Disease Causes Breath Odor?

The following diseases can cause breath-mouth odor:

• Periodontal diseases
• Tooth decay
• Tonsillitis
• Reflux
• Diabetes (uncontrolled)
• Liver failure
• Sinusitis

Why Does Breath Smell When Hungry?

When hungry, saliva frequency decreases, and the stomach's fullness rate drops. Acid reflux, reduced saliva, and thirst can cause bad breath. In addition, when fasting for a long time, the body breaks down fats to produce energy, and ketone production increases; as a result, an acetone-like odor can be smelled in the mouth.

Is Bad Breath Permanent?

The permanence of bad breath depends on the underlying causes. Oral and dental diseases, tonsillitis, sinusitis, and the use of prostheses can cause permanent or recurrent bad breath. Health problems such as diabetes and kidney disease can also cause continuous bad breath when not controlled.

How To Tell If Your Breath Smells?

Bad breath is best understood by being checked by others, but if that's not possible, the person should lick their own wrist and smell it once it dries. Also, gently taking a sample from the back surface of the tongue with a toothpick or cotton swab and smelling it can help to understand bad breath.

Which Doctor Should Be Consulted For Bad Breath?

For bad breath, a dentist should be visited first. Bad breath usually disappears with dental cleaning and cavity treatment. However, if it still persists, it may be necessary to see an ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist and an internal medicine specialist against the possibility of it originating from stomach problems.