Bad breath, or halitosis, has several causes. The most prevalent cause is poor oral hygiene. Often, halitosis develops midday arising from the inability to brush teeth between meals. Small food fragments on the teeth, gums, and tongue grow bacteria. The wastes of the bacteria and decay of the food create a sulfur compound, which emits the unpleasant odor. Food particles, bacteria, and sulfuric gas all need to be removed to eliminate bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene.
While poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis, many elements can contribute to or worsen the trouble. The best remedy is regular, thorough brushing and flossing, but other actions might also be necessary depending on the cause(s).
For example, a salivary gland problem or certain medications can cause dry mouth. Saliva moistens the teeth and gums, clearing away odiferous dead cells. Saliva also neutralizes the ever-present acids on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. Limiting caffeine, chewing sugar-free gum, using OTC saliva substitutes, and using a humidifier can add moisture to the mouth.
Most Common Causes of Bad Breath:
- Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odor. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic and spices, also can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs and affect your breath.
- Tobacco products. Smoking causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Smokers and oral tobacco users are also more likely to have gum disease, another source of bad breath.
- Poor oral hygiene. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums (periodontitis). Your tongue also can trap bacteria that produce odors. Dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.
- Infections in your mouth. Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, or as a result of tooth decay, gum disease, an infected root canal, or mouth sores.
- Crooked Teeth. Crooked teeth can make at-home oral hygeine much harder to do effectively, and can result in hidden tooth decay, gum disease and consequent bad breath.
- Dentures. Bad breath can be caused by bacterial growth that can be exacerbated by ill-fitting dentures, and/or the ineffective cleaning of dentures.
- Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse your mouth, removing particles that cause bad odors. A condition called dry mouth or "xerostomia" can contribute to bad breath because production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to "morning breath," and it worsens if you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and some diseases.
- Medications. Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on your breath.
- Other mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.
- Other causes. Diseases, such as some cancers, and conditions such as metabolic disorders, can cause a distinctive breath odor as a result of chemicals they produce. Chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD) can be associated with bad breath. Bad breath in young children can even be caused by a foreign body, such as a piece of food, lodged in a nostril!
To Minimize or Prevent Bad Breath:
- Go to the dentist twice a year for professional dental cleanings
- Brush teeth, tongue, gums, and roof of the mouth
- Use a tongue spray or scraper
- Use antimicrobial mouth rinse
- Chew sugarless gum
- Brush and floss after each meal
- Drink plenty of water (A dry mouth is conducive to bacteria growth)
- Replace your toothbrush every 3 to 4 months
- Have a toothbrush and floss available when you are out
- Talk to your doctor or dentist if bad breath remains despite proper oral hygiene
Remember, the very best defense to bad breath is a good dental care routine – brushing, flossing, and regular visits with your dentist.
If you struggle with bad breath regardless of vigilant oral hygiene, ask your dentist for help in identifying the source. It may be an issue outside of the oral cavity. If this is the case, your dentist may refer you to your family physician or a specialist.
If you don’t have a regular dentist or are unhappy with your current one, we invite you to schedule an appointment with Dr. Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, CT. Dr. Basil has been serving patients in the Hartford County area since 1999. The professional and aware team of dental professionals at Dr. Basil’s offices provide the full spectrum of general and cosmetic dental services including dental implants, Zoom whitening, and porcelain veneers.
Be sure to check our website at DoctorBasil.com for more details on Dr. Basil’s services. Thanks for visiting our blog.
Keep smiling,
Dr.Elzbieta W. Basil, DMD is a private practice dentist with offices in West Hartford Center and Downtown New Britain, Connecticut. She is a Clinical Instructor at the UConn School of Dental Medicine, and has won several awards naming her regional “Best Dentist” and “Top Dentist.” She is an active member of the Connecticut State Dental Association and the American Dental Association. Tel: 860-561-2121
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