What Causes Bad Breath?
Questions about bad breath come up frequently in our practice. Some patients are nervous to ask us about their perceived bad breath, but it is important to bring to our attention because it could stem from a variety of things some of which are serious.
What Is Bad Breath?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, causes an unpleasant odor. Individuals with halitosis may notice an unpleasant odor or taste in their mouths, and others may also notice it. Everyone experiences occasional bad breath, but frequent or chronic bad breath can indicate an underlying cause or condition an individual needs to address.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Poor Oral Hygiene
Oral hygiene is vital for halitosis prevention. If you experience bad breath, it may be due to bacteria and plaque buildup in the mouth.
Every patient requires a different level of home care, and for many patients brushing alone is not sufficient.
Inadequate or Infrequent Professional Dental Care
Although it is crucial to maintain good oral hygiene practices at home, it is equally important to schedule regular visits to the dentist. It is recommended to have a professional cleaning by a trustworthy dentist every six months. In case any periodontal issues are detected, the dentist might advise more frequent visits. Neglecting dental appointments can worsen bad breath and lead to additional complications.
Low Saliva or Dry Mouth
Saliva helps lower bacteria levels in the mouth. Low saliva flow allows bacteria to accumulate, increasing bad breath and potentially causing other complications such as gingivitis, periodontal disease and tooth decay. The following factors and conditions can cause low saliva:
Radiation and chemotherapy treatments
Allergy medications
Prescription medications
Dehydration
Nervousness or anxiety
Low saliva causes dry mouth or xerostomia, reducing the moisture your mouth needs to wash bacteria away. Not drinking enough water or taking certain medications may cause dry mouth, but people who experience chronic dry mouth should consult a health care provider. Certain prescription oral medications can help stimulate saliva flow.
Acidic, High-Sugar and Pungent Foods
Certain foods with a high acid or sugar content can cause or exacerbate bad breath. Acid reflux can occur with a highly acidic diet, and it causes stomach acid to flow back into the esophagus. This flow of stomach acid can contribute to unpleasant breath odors.
A high-sugar diet can contribute to bad breath because bacteria in the mouth feed on sugar. Consuming foods with high sugar content allows bacteria to live and grow, leading to excess oral bacteria. Pungent foods contain strong natural odors that can also increase bad breath. You may experience bad breath after consuming food or beverages containing ingredients such as coffee, garlic, onions or spices.
Previous Dental Work
Outdated dental work may lead to bad breath if it needs to be updated. Old restorations and fillings can crack or deteriorate, exposing teeth to bacteria and infection. Halitosis could indicate the necessity for an updated filling or restoration.
Acid reflux
Often times patients perceived halitosis stems Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) which can cause regurgitation, burping, and an overall acidic and poor smelling environment in the oral cavity. Medications and diet modification can often help with this. If your bad breath often occurs after eating (especially after eating items with little odor) then GERD related halitosis might be suspected.
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing causes air to pass through the oral cavity more often than the body can handle. The increased airflow leads to dryness in the teeth and oral cavity, diminishing the saliva's ability to neutralize and remove bacteria. Consequently, mouth breathing results in a dry mouth environment that promotes the accumulation of bacteria and plaque, leading to the development of bad breath.
Infection or Cavities
Bacteria overgrowth can cause infections or cavities. If you notice persistent bad breath there could be cavities trapping food and plaque, or even worse an abscess possibly draining into your mouth causing bad breath. A dentist can examine your mouth to identify infections or cavities and provide the necessary treatment.
Comments