What Is It?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is breath that has an
unpleasant odor. This odor can strike periodically or be persistent,
depending on the cause. In many people, the millions of bacteria that
live in the mouth (particularly on the back of the tongue) are the
primary causes of bad breath. The mouth's warm, moist conditions make
an ideal environment for these bacteria to grow. Most bad breath is
caused by something in the mouth.
Some types of bad breath, such as "morning mouth," are considered to
be fairly normal, and they usually are not health concerns. The
"morning mouth" type of bad breath occurs because the saliva that
regularly washes away decaying food and odors during the daytime
diminishes at night while you sleep. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead
cells adhere to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. Bacteria
use these cells for food and expel compounds that have a foul odor. To see an instructional video click here.
In addition, bad breath can be caused by the following:
- Poor dental hygiene — Infrequent or improper brushing and flossing can leave food particles to decay inside the mouth.
- Infections in the mouth — Periodontal (gum) disease
- Respiratory tract infections — Throat infections, sinus infections, lung infections
- External agents — Garlic, onions, coffee, cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco
- Dry mouth (xerostomia) — This can be caused by salivary gland problems, medications or by "mouth breathing."
- Systemic illnesses — Diabetes, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
- Psychiatric illness — Some
people may perceive that they have bad breath, but it is not noticed by
oral-health-care professionals or others. This is referred to as
"pseudohalitosis."
Symptoms
A person may not always know that he or she has bad breath. This
phenomenon is because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually
become accustomed to the constant flow of bad smells from the mouth.
Others may notice and react by recoiling as you speak.
Other associated symptoms depend on the underlying cause of bad breath:
- Poor dental hygiene — Teeth are coated with film or plaque, food debris trapped between teeth, pale or swollen gums
- Infections in the mouth — Gums
may be red, swollen and bleed easily, especially after brushing or
flossing; pus may drain from between teeth; a pocket of pus (abscess)
at the base of a tooth; loose teeth or a change in "fit" of a denture;
painful, open sores on the tongue or gums
- Respiratory tract infections — Sore
throat, swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") in the neck, fever,
stuffy nose, a greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, a mucus-producing
cough
- External agents — Cigarette stains on fingers and teeth, a uniform yellow "coffee stain" on teeth
- Dry mouth — Difficulty
swallowing dry foods, difficulty speaking for a prolonged period
because of mouth dryness, a burning sensation in the mouth, an
unusually high number of dental caries, dry eyes (in Sjögren's syndrome)
- Systemic (bodywide) illnesses — Symptoms of diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease
Diagnosis
A dentist or physician may notice the patient's bad breath while the
patient is discussing his or her medical history and symptoms. In some
cases, depending on the smell of the patient's breath, the dentist or
physician may suspect a likely cause for the problem. For example,
"fruity" breath may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. A urine-like
smell, especially in a person who is at high risk of kidney disease,
can sometimes indicate kidney failure.
Your dentist will review your medical history for medical conditions
that can cause bad breath and for medications that can cause dry mouth.
Your dentist also will ask you about your diet, personal habits
(smoking, chewing tobacco) and any symptoms, including when the bad
breath was noticed and by whom.
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, oral tissues and
salivary glands. He or she also will feel your head and neck and will
evaluate your breath when you exhale from your nose and from your
mouth. Once the physical examination is finished, your dentist may
refer you to your family physician if systemic problems are the most
likely cause. In severe cases of gum disease, your dentist may
recommend that you be seen by a periodontist (dentist who specializes
in gum problems).
You will need diagnostic tests if the doctor suspects a lung
infection, diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or Sjögren's
syndrome. Depending on the suspected illness, these tests may include
blood tests, urine tests, X-rays of the chest or sinuses, or other
specialized testing.
Expected Duration
How long bad breath lasts depends on its cause. For example, when the problem results from poor dental hygiene, proper dental care will begin to freshen the mouth immediately, with even more impressive
results after a few days of regular brushing and flossing. Periodontal Disease and Tooth Absess lso respond quickly to proper dental treatment. Bad breath resulting
from chronic sinusitis may be a recurring problem, especially if it is
caused by a structural abnormality of the sinuses.
Bad breath the results from a systemic illness may be a long-term problem that can often be controlled with proper medical care.
Prevention
Bad breath caused by dental problems can be prevented easily. Daily
maintenance calls for brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals,
flossing, and rinsing with mouthwashes approved by the American Dental
Association (ADA). Regular visits to the dentist at least twice a year) should be made for dental examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
Bad breath also can be combated by drinking plenty of water every
day to encourage saliva production. An occasional swish of the mouth
with water can loosen food particles. Other products that keep breath
fresh and prevent plaque from forming include sugar-free gum, sugarless
lozenges, raw carrots and celery.
Treatment
The treatment of bad breath depends on its cause.
When To Call A Professional
Call your dentist promptly if you have bad breath with painful,
swollen gums that bleed easily or loose teeth. Also, call your doctor
if you have bad breath along with a fever, sore throat, a postnasal
drip, a discolored nasal discharge or a mucus-producing cough. Even if
you have none of these associated symptoms, call your dentist or
physician if your bad breath continues despite a good diet and proper
dental hygiene.
If you have diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or
chronic liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor how bad breath can be
a sign that your underlying medical condition needs immediate medical
attention.
Prognosis
Once bad breath has been diagnosed, the outlook for fresh breath is
usually excellent as long as you stick to your dentist's or physician's
treatment plan.