Did you know that one in every four people suffer from bad breath? A recent study estimated that around 50 million people suffer from bad breath in the United States alone. Looking at these staggering figures, it becomes crucial to understand the cause of bad breath and look for preventive measures.

Bad breath, medically termed halitosis, can be a source of embarrassment for many. It can also induce anxiety and curtail people from social and personal engagements. Many people who suffer from bad breath may not even realize it and often go a long time without knowing their diagnosis. This makes it even more crucial to recognize the presence of bad breath, learn its causes, and seek prompt treatment. Read ahead as we discuss everything you need to know about bad breath.

What causes bad breath?

• Poor oral hygiene

Poor and neglected oral hygiene leads to the accumulation of food debris in your mouth. Your mouth is a house for millions of odor-causing bacteria that utilize these food particles and release toxic byproducts, which leads to bad odor. 

•  Gum diseases

Irregular and faulty oral hygiene habits enable the accumulation of food particles in the mouth. Moreover, it also promotes the formation and growth of plaque, a sticky, yellowish film that firmly adheres to the tooth structure. This plaque can further calcify, that is harden to form calculus if not removed. Plaque and tartar house disease-causing bacteria that metabolize the food particles and sugars to release acidic byproducts, leading to dental cavities and gum diseases like gingivitis and periodontitis. Gingivitis is a milder form of gum disease, while periodontitis is the destructive form and destroys the soft tissues and bone surrounding the teeth. Once inflammatory processes begin and infection spreads, it leads to foul odor. Poor oral hygiene and gum diseases happen to the most common cause of bad breath.

•  Dry mouth

Saliva plays are an essential role in maintaining oral health. Salivary flow removes the food debris and also has immunological actions which prevent the accumulation of bacteria. In the absence of adequate saliva, dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs, and the bacteria get a chance to proliferate on teeth, gums, and even on the surface of the tongue. This further contributes to bad breath.

•  Smoking

Smoking and tobacco products have an unpleasant smell and can contribute to bad breath.

•  Oral infections

Oral conditions such as dry sockets lead to bad breath. Fungal infections like candidiasis and viral infections of the oral cavity can all be a cause bad breath.

•  Medications

Bad breath can also be a side effect of certain medications like chemotherapeutic agents, drugs for angina, vitamins, anti-psychotics, etc.

•  Mouth, nose, and throat conditions and diseases

Untreated salivary stones, tonsillitis, throat infections, sinus infections can all cause bad breath.

•  Underlying medical conditions

Certain metabolic diseases, diabetes, cancers, and liver failure cause halitosis as they alter the body’s chemical composition, which can lead to a peculiar smell. Gastroesophageal reflux disorder (GERD) can cause bad breath due to the regurgitated acid. Bowel obstruction, lung infections like bronchiectasis, and pneumonia can all be a reason for oral malodor.

•  Others

Certain strong-smelling food substances like garlic, onion, etc., can cause bad breath, but this is acute and disappears after some time. Excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine can also be a reason for bad breath.

Can bad breath be prevented?

Living with chronic bad breath can be challenging. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to prevent the occurrence of bad breath.

• Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth twice a day. Use a high-quality and soft-bristled nylon tooth and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure you cover each tooth and clean your tongue to remove all the food debris and plaque.
• Ensure you floss every day to get rid of any food debris and plaque accumulated between teeth.
• Use a mouthwash to rinse your mouth every day. Mouthwash will help you get rid of any remaining bacterial products and food debris and give you a fresher breath.
• Avoid smoking and tobacco consumption.
• Limit your alcohol and caffeine intake.
• If you wear dentures, make sure you clean them properly every day.
• Drink an adequate amount of water to avoid a dry mouth.
• It is recommended that you change your toothbrush every three months or earlier if the bristles become frayed.
• Make dietary changes and avoid consuming strong-smelling foods like onions and garlic to prevent acute bad breath.
• Ensure good oral health by scheduling dental visits at least once every six months. This way, your dentist can spot any anomaly as soon as possible and begin treatment before the dental disease progresses to its more severe and destructive forms.

 How is bad breath diagnosed and treated?

Often dentists can diagnose bad breath by simply smelling the patient’s breath and rating the odor on a 6 point scale. Other than this, specialized detectors like Halimeter can also be used to detect low levels of sulfur in the breath, which is primarily responsible for bad breath. BANA test and gas chromatography may be advised in cases of chronic, long-lasting oral malodor.

Although there is no specific treatment for bad breath, treating its cause is enough to manage the symptoms of halitosis. If your dentist finds periodontal diseases or oral infections as a cause for your bad breath, they will advise treatment for it. Complete oral prophylaxis, scaling, and root planing will be carried out to remove the bacterial deposits. This will lower the bacterial load, give the gums a chance to heal, and the problem of bad breath will eventually resolve. In some cases, antibiotics and antiseptic mouthwash may also be prescribed for complete and active healing. In cases of dry mouth, sialagogues may be prescribed in combination with deep cleaning.

In some cases, where your dentist suspects an underlying medical disorder as a cause for your bad breath, they may recommend a specialist for its proper diagnosis and treatment.

If you think you may be suffering from bad breath, schedule an appointment with our board-certified dentist today. If you have any questions or would like to know more about our services, please reach out to us. Our team of excellent dental professionals will be there to assist you in your journey to better oral health.