bad breath
Bad breath is breath with an unpleasant odor. Bad breath is also known as halitosis. This odor can strike from time to time or it may last for a long time depending on the cause.
Several bacteria live in the mouth, particularly on the back of the tongue. In a lot of people, this is the primary cause of bad breath. The mouth's warm and moist conditions make it ideal for bacteria to grow and thrive. Most bad breath is caused by something inside your mouth.
Some types of bad breath are normal and are not classified as a health concern. One of these examples is morning mouth. This occurs because of the changes that happen in your mouth while you sleep. During the day, your saliva washes away the decaying food and odours. During night time, your body produces less saliva and the dead cells stick to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. When bacteria use these cells for food, they produce a very bad odour. Here are some of the other causes of bad breath
- poor dental hygiene - infrequent or improper brushing and flossing will allow food bits to decay inside the mouth
- mouth infections - like periodontal gum disease
- respiratory tract infections - throat, sinus, or lung infections
- external agents - onions and garlic in the food, coffee, smoking cigarettes, and chewing tobacco
- dry mouth or xerostomia - this is caused by salivary gland problems, medicines, or mouth breathing
- systemic body-wide illnesses - diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease, and other diseases
- psychiatric illness - there are people out there that think they have bad breath although others don't notice it. This is referred to pseudohalitosis
What are the symptoms of bad breath?
You may not always know whether you have bad breath. This is because odour detecting cells in your nose will eventually get used to the smell. Other people may notice and react by recoiling when you talk to them. Here are some of the symptoms that depend on the causes of bad breath
- poor dental hygiene -the teeth are coated with film or plaque and there may be food trapped between them. Some of it may be underneath pale or swollen gums
- infections in your mouth - the symptoms will depend on the type of infection. They include (1) red or swollen gums that bleed easily especially after brushing or flossing, (2) pus between the teeth or a pocket of pus at the base of the tooth, (3) loose teeth or a change in how your denture fits you, and (4) painful open sores on your tongue or gums
- respiratory tract infections - a sore throat, swollen lymph nodes on the neck, fever, stuffy nose, greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, or a mucus-producing cough
- external agents - cigarette stains on your fingers and teeth that form a yellow coffee stain on your teeth
- dry mouth - the symptom will include (1) having a hard time swallowing dry foods, (2) having difficulty in speaking for a long time because your mouth gets dry, (3) burning sensation in the mouth, (4) an unusually high number of cavities, and (5) dry eye's or Sjogren's syndrome
- systemic body-wide illnesses - these are symptoms of diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure, or liver disease
What is the diagnosis for bad breath?
Your dentist or your physician may notice your bad breath during an office visit. Sometimes, the smell of a patient's breath will suggest a probably cause of the problem. For example, someone with a fruity breath is a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. Someone with a urine-like smell breath and with a high risk of kidney disease indicate signs of kidney failure.
Your dentist or your physician will review your medical history for any conditions that may likely cause your bad breath or for any medicines that cause dry mouth. Your dentist will also ask you questions regarding your diet, personal habits like smoking or chewing tobacco, and any related symptoms. Your dentist will ask you who noticed your bad breath and when.
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, mouth, head, neck, and salivary glands. Your dentist will evaluate your breath when you exhale from your nose and from your mouth.
Your dentist will refer you to your family physician if the illness is body-wide. In more severe cases of gum disease, your dentist may suggest that you see a periodontist or a dentist that specializes in gum problems.
You need diagnostic tests if the doctor suspects a lung infection, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease, Sjogren's syndrome, or a related illness. The type of test will depend on the suspected illness. You may have to get blood tests, urine tests, X-rays of your chest, X-rays of your sinus, and other related tests.
How long will your bad breath last?
The duration of your bad breath will depend on its cause. For instance, if the problem is caused by poor dental hygiene then proper dental care will start to refresh the mouth right away. You will have better results as you keep your teeth and mouth clean on a regular basis. Periodontal disease and tooth abscess are also causes of bad breath that respond quickly to proper dental treatment.
On the other hand, bad breath caused by chronic sinusitis may keep coming back especially if it is caused by a structural abnormality of the sinus. Bad breath that is caused by a systematic illness is a long term problem and should be controlled using the proper medical care.
How can you prevent bad breath?
Bad breath that is caused by dental problems can be prevented with the proper home and professional care. Here are some of the guidelines for preventing bad breath
- you must brush your teeth, tongue, and gums after every meal
- you must floss daily
- you must rinse with a mouthwash approved by the American Dental Association
- you must visit your dentist at least twice a year for an exam and for tooth cleaning
- drink plenty of water in order to aid in saliva production
- gargling and swishing your mouth with water to loosen bits of food
- using sugar free gum
- using sugarless breath mints
- eating raw carrots
- eating celery
How should you treat bad breath?
The treatment of bad breath will depend on what is causing it.
When should you call a professional for help?
You should call your dentist immediately if you have bad breath. If you have loose teeth, painful teeth, swollen gums that bleed easily, fever, a sore throat, postnasal drip, discoloured nasal charge, or cough that produces mucus then you may have to call your dentist or physician immediately. Even if you have none of these symptoms, you must still call your dentist or physician if your bad breath persists despite good dieting and proper dental hygiene. Bad breath may be a sign that immediate medical attention is necessary. If you have diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD, chronic liver disease, or kidney disease then you must ask your doctor what bad breath means for your condition.
What is the prognosis for bad breath?
After your bad breath has been diagnosed, your outlook for fresh breath will most likely be excellent. As long as you stick to your dentist's plan or your doctor's plan, you will not encounter complications along the way.