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What are the causes of bad breath?
Bad breath is a common problem that can be due to many causes.- Odor-causing foods. Most commonly, the smell is a result of breakdown of proteins by various bacteria in the mouth. For example, volatile sulfur compounds and other substances like cadaverine and putracine are produced by certain anaerobic bacteria . Foods including garlic, onions and some spices as well as tea and coffee can contribute towards bad breath.
- Tooth decay or periodontal (gum) disease. Gum disease and tooth decay will often lead to accumulations of bacteria that can cause bad breath. If there is gum disease or tooth decay, then treatment should be sought to eliminate these problems first. Your dentist will examine you and take some radiographs (X-rays) to check for the presence and extent of such problems. Early detection, diagnosis and treatment of gum disease and tooth decay will help keep teeth functional for life. Preventive maintenance is essential to ensure continued good oral health.
- Prolonged mouth dryness
- Use of tobacco products
- Sinus or respiratory infections
- Inadequate oral hygiene. Poor oral hygiene from infrequent brushing of teeth or cleaning of dentures will lead to food debris left in the mouth, around teeth, on dentures, tongue and cheek surfaces, which will be broken down by bacteria resulting in unpleasant breath.
- Medications e.g. anti-depressants, diurectics (used for high blood pressure)
- Medical disorders e.g. oesophageal-gastro reflux, chronic tonsil infections
- Certain bacteria that produce foul-smelling compounds. The bad smell can also come from the back of the surface of the tongue. The scraping obtained by the dentist from this portion of the tongue may suggest that this may be the primary source of bad breath in the individual. In such cases, it will help to use a tongue scraper daily to clean the tongue surface and reduce and prevent the accumulation of bacteria and foul-smelling, bacterial products.
Possible causes of various problems:
Problem: Odor after fasting, dieting, prolonged speaking, exercise, sleeping or taking medications.
Possible Cause: Dryness in the mouth caused by insufficient saliva flow.
Problem: Bad taste all day long.
Possible Cause: Poor oral hygiene, gum disease, excessive bacteria on tongue surface. DON'T...- Ignore the problem
- Drink too much coffee
- Let young children use mouthwash as they tend to swallow it
- Rely solely on mouthwashes - instead, practice good oral hygiene and eating habits
- Let your concern about bad breath affect your life adversely.
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