What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath (also known as halitosis) can have many possible causes. If you’re worried that you breath smells, this could be related to what you’re eating and drinking, or it could be happening for another reason.
Most remedies for bad breath only provide short-term relief from symptoms, but effective long-term treatment should also address the underlying cause. Read this guide to find out the common causes of bad breath, home remedies you can try and ways your dentist could help.
Dietary causes
Foods and drinks with strong aromas – such as onion, garlic, cauliflower, spices and coffee – can be temporary causes of bad breath, though their effects can be more prolonged if they enter the bloodstream after digestion and are carried to the lungs. Avoiding these foods or eating them less often could improve your breath.
Irregular eating habits such as crash dieting can increase the risk of food-related odours occurring. If a small piece of food gets trapped in the mouth or throat, this can also release odours until it’s removed.
Poor oral hygiene
Infrequent or inadequate tooth brushing and flossing can allow food particles and bacteria to build up in the mouth, causing odours. Bacteria that multiply on the tongue and in the throat can also release volatile sulphur compounds (VSC), so it’s important to clean your tongue when you brush your teeth. You should also keep up with your regular dental visits.
If you have braces, dentures or another oral appliance, you should also clean it thoroughly to prevent the build-up of food, bacteria and other debris.
Dry mouth
If your mouth often feels dry and sticky, you might have a condition known as dry mouth (or xerostomia). This happens when the function of the salivary glands is impaired, meaning they don’t produce as much saliva as needed to moisten your mouth and cleanse it of bacteria and food debris.
Dry mouth can happen as a side effect of certain medications, medical conditions or stress. It’s also more common if you smoke and drink alcohol to excess. Having dry mouth increases your oral health risks.
Oral health problems
Infections of the mouth such as gum disease, mouth sores, and infections following an injury or dental treatment can also cause bad breath, because of the bacteria present. Food and bacteria can also get trapped inside cavities caused by tooth decay or between teeth that are misaligned or crowded.
Medical conditions
A number of health conditions may also cause or contribute to bad breath, including:
- Acid and bile reflux
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Kidney failure
- Post-nasal discharge
- Tonsillitis
- Some cancers
Smoking
Smoking contributes to bad breath in several ways. The smell of tobacco products can stay behind in the mouth and lungs for several hours afterwards. Smoking is also a risk factor for gum disease and dry mouth, increasing the risk of other oral health problems that have halitosis as a symptom. Quitting smoking can improve your breath and lower your oral health risks and overall health risks.
Talk to a Mosman dentist today
If you’re struggling with bad breath, our dentists at Mosman 3D Dental can help. Call us on (02) 9969 8610 or contact us to book a consultation so we can determine the cause and help banish breath odours.