What Causes Bad Breath? | Bad Breath Treatment
Bad breath is a condition that can become embarrassing by disturbing the person. The reason for the presence of odour in the mouth is usually due to the person’s inability to fully maintain oral hygiene.
However, if there is a long-term and disturbing odour despite oral hygiene, this may also develop due to other diseases. The causes of bad breath that does not go away for a long time must be investigated.
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It is generally considered physiologically normal to have a disturbing odour in the morning.
It is the result of the food eaten or drunk in the evening entering between the teeth and accumulating on the tongue. This odour is not permanent and will disappear after brushing the teeth and oral care is performed.
What Are The Causes Of Bad Breath?
Poor oral hygiene, gum problems, dental caries, dry mouth and inflammations can be counted as oral causes of bad breath.
Sometimes non-oral factors can cause this condition. These may be caused by sinusitis, stomach and intestinal diseases, diabetes. If you have bad breath, you should definitely be examined by a dentist.
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It is recommended that a healthy person should have an oral and dental examination twice a year.
How to Treat Bad Breath?
If bad breath is caused by tooth decay or infection in the gums, the dentist can treat bad breath by applying the most appropriate treatment methods. Dental calculus is another factor that causes bad breath and should be cleaned once a year.
If bad breath does not disappear after the necessary treatments are performed by the dentist and good oral care is provided, then other underlying causes can be looked for.
What to Do to Prevent Bad Breath?
The most effective way to prevent bad breath is to establish a regular and proper oral care routine. Brushing your teeth at least twice a day, flossing and cleaning the surface of the tongue form the basis of oral hygiene. In addition, drinking plenty of water prevents bad odors by preventing dry mouth.
Mouthwashes and mouth sprays can also be effective in the short term. Avoiding sugary and spicy foods and having regular dental check-ups are also important steps in preventing bad breath.
Which Diseases Can Bad Breath Be a Symptom of?
Bad breath can be an early symptom of some systemic and extraoral diseases. This condition cannot be explained only by not brushing your teeth. Here are some diseases that can cause bad breath:
- Stomach problems: Especially in cases where stomach acid escapes into the esophagus, such as reflux and gastritis, a sour or bad odor may occur in the mouth. This is independent of oral hygiene.
- Diabetes (diabetes): Patients with uncontrolled diabetes can develop an acetone-like, sweetish breath odor. This is usually caused by high levels of ketones in the blood.
- Kidney failure: In people with advanced kidney disease, bad breath can turn into an ammonia or urine-like odor. This is caused by the body’s inability to adequately remove waste substances from the blood.
- Liver diseases: People with liver failure may develop a metallic or sweetish odor in the mouth. This condition is called “foetor hepaticus”.
- Sinusitis and upper respiratory tract infections: When inflamed discharges accumulated in the sinuses flow into the nasal passages, these discharges can cause bad breath.
- Tonsillitis and tonsil stones: Inflammation or stones in the tonsils (tonsiloliths) can cause a build-up of foul-smelling bacteria, leading to chronic bad breath.
- Dry mouth (xerostomia): Saliva flushes bacteria from the mouth. In individuals with dry mouth, the accumulation of bacteria increases and this exacerbates bad breath.
- Lung diseases: Bad breath is especially common in individuals with chronic bronchitis or lung infections.
Why Does Bad Breath Occur in Children?
Bad breath in children is often caused by poor oral hygiene. Failure to brush teeth thoroughly and correctly, not cleaning the tongue or tooth decay can cause bad breath. In addition, upper respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis, adenoid enlargement and sinusitis can also cause bad breath in children.
Dry mouth or foreign objects getting into the nose can also be unexpected sources of odor. When bad breath is noticed in children, it is useful to consult a dentist or pediatrician.
Why Bad Breath Doesn't Go Away Despite Tooth Brushing?
Brushing your teeth is an essential step in preventing bad breath, but brushing alone may not be enough. Bad breath can be caused by factors such as plaque accumulated between teeth, bacteria on the tongue or tartar.
It can also be caused by non-oral health problems such as stomach problems, sinusitis, diabetes and tonsillitis. If bad breath persists despite regular brushing, a detailed dental examination and, if necessary, medical evaluation should be performed.
What is the Relationship Between Bad Breath and Oral Health?
There is a direct relationship between bad breath and oral health. Tooth decay, gingivitis, tartar accumulation and poor oral hygiene are the most common causes of bad breath. Bacteria that accumulate in the mouth break down proteins and produce sulfur compounds, which cause bad odor.
With a healthy oral structure, regular care and professional dental hygiene, bad breath can be largely prevented. Good oral health is therefore the key to fresh breath.
How Do Smoking and Tobacco Products Increase Bad Breath?
Smoking and tobacco products are one of the biggest triggers of bad breath. Tobacco causes dryness in the mouth, allowing bacteria to multiply faster. It also increases gum disease, causes plaque accumulation on the surface of the teeth and reduces the oxygen level in the mouth, causing bad odors to spread.
Smokers often have a persistent bad breath problem. Avoiding tobacco products is one of the most effective solutions to reduce bad breath and protect overall oral health.
What Are Natural Remedies for Bad Breath?
It is possible to use some natural methods to alleviate bad breath. Herbs such as parsley, mint, cloves and sage freshen breath thanks to their antibacterial properties. Gargling with carbonated water can reduce bacteria formation by regulating the pH balance in the mouth.
Fiber foods such as apples, carrots and celery increase saliva production in the mouth and provide a natural cleaning. In addition, drinking plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum can prevent dry mouth and reduce bad breath. However, a specialist opinion should be sought for persistent bad breath.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can take a look at the common questions asked by our patients and contact us for all other questions you are curious about.
Mouthwash with antibacterial properties can temporarily reduce the number of bacteria and freshen breath. In the long term, however, regular dental care and dental check-ups are essential as a complete part of oral hygiene.
Regular tooth brushing greatly reduces bad breath, but flossing, tongue cleaning and professional dental cleaning are also necessary. If brushing alone is insufficient, another underlying cause should be investigated.
Yes, conditions where stomach acid escapes into the esophagus and mouth, such as reflux, gastritis or stomach ulcers, can lead to sour or pungent bad breath. Stomach odors are usually accompanied by an acidic sensation and burning.
Yes, saliva cleans bacteria in the mouth; when saliva is low, bacteria accumulation increases and bad odor develops. Drinking plenty of water and, if necessary, applying methods to increase saliva production will alleviate the odor.
Yes, persistent bad breath can be a sign of underlying gum disease, digestive system problems or other health problems. Long-term complaints should be evaluated by a dentist and, if necessary, the relevant specialist.
