Click here to sign in with or
Forget Password?
Learn more
share this!
8
2
Share
Email
August 24, 2022
by Arosha Weerakoon, The Conversation
Most of us can’t smell our own breath. If someone bravely informs you your breath smells, believe them, and do something about it. Or if you are worried you have bad breath, seek out a trusted opinion.
Your breath can be the first sign something in your body needs attention. Here are some tips to help you identify the cause, and how to fix it.
What causes bad breath?
Of the many causes of bad breath, 90% originate from putrid-smelling bacterial by-products inside our mouth. These by-products form a bouquet of odors that can make our breath smell like rotten eggs (volatile sulfur compounds) or poo (methyl mercaptan/hydrogen sulfide).
The largest and most significant odor-cultivating culprit is our tongue. The back of our tongue is a perfect petri dish for bacteria that feed on dead cells, saliva proteins, sinus ooze and fluids from untreated gum disease.
These bacteria can form a furry coat on our tongue that permeates our breath. The good news is you can fix this by brushing your tongue when you clean your teeth.
Eating onion and garlic can add a sulfurous tone to your breath for up to three days, due mainly to food particles left behind. Tobacco smoking also causes bad mouth smells to linger. Pus from dental infections can also be a smelly culprit.
Hard-to-reach places in the mouth where the toothbrush just can’t seem to clean can act like greenhouses where unhealthy bacteria thrive. Spaces in faulty or broken fillings, holes in teeth, gaps (pockets) in the gums that form with advancing gum (periodontal) disease, as well as improperly cleaned dental implants, dentures and braces, all contribute to bad odors.
Your dentist or hygienist can help identify these smell-promoting reservoirs, and fix or clean them. They can also help customize your oral hygiene routine to improve your health and reduce malodor.
What about morning breath?
We all experience morning breath, with some suffering more than others. Morning breath occurs when our saliva flow slows or stops while we sleep. And without saliva to wash, dilute or flush, everything stagnates: food particles ferment and the bacteria multiply to release gassy odors.
This is why it is important to brush your teeth and gums, and use appropriate tools such as floss or interdental brushes before going to bed. If you are unsure, your dentist or hygienist will be able to identify which tools work best for you.
Other factors that reduce saliva include stress, anxiety, fasting, dehydration, antidepressants and blood-pressure-reducing medication, recreational drugs, caffeine and alcohol.
And if you tend to breathe through your mouth rather than your nose while asleep, your morning breath may be worse. Mouth-breathers can have sinus issues that block their noses to prevent proper breathing.
More serious causes
Chronic (long-term) sinusitis and tonsillitis can also cause bad breath (especially if the tonsilitis causes tonsil stones—smelly cheese-like clumps of bacteria, dead skin cells, keratin and foreign debris).
Occasionally, young children may insert small objects into their nasal passages, which causes a buildup of bacteria and a yucky smell.
What do I do if I have bad breath?
For most of us, good oral hygiene, drinking plenty of water, avoiding tobacco products, regular dental visits, and chronic sinus and tonsillitis management will help avoid bad breath.
In some instances, we may choose to suffer the short-term consequences (because onion and garlic are delicious). Chewing sugar-free gum or mints may temporarily ease any issues caused by last night’s garlic pizza.
If you’re concerned, see your hygienist or dentist, who can diagnose and help you manage the cause of your bad breath.
Explore further
Explore further
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Feedback to editors
Aug 26, 2022
0
Aug 24, 2022
13
Aug 23, 2022
0
Aug 19, 2022
0
Aug 18, 2022
0
24 minutes ago
28 minutes ago
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
1 hour ago
Apr 12, 2019
Feb 25, 2022
Apr 28, 2020
Jan 24, 2022
Oct 27, 2021
Nov 09, 2019
1 hour ago
21 hours ago
Aug 31, 2022
Aug 31, 2022
Aug 31, 2022
Aug 30, 2022
Use this form if you have come across a typo, inaccuracy or would like to send an edit request for the content on this page. For general inquiries, please use our contact form. For general feedback, use the public comments section below (please adhere to guidelines).
Please select the most appropriate category to facilitate processing of your request
Thank you for taking time to provide your feedback to the editors.
Your feedback is important to us. However, we do not guarantee individual replies due to the high volume of messages.
Your email address is used only to let the recipient know who sent the email. Neither your address nor the recipient’s address will be used for any other purpose. The information you enter will appear in your e-mail message and is not retained by Medical Xpress in any form.
Get weekly and/or daily updates delivered to your inbox. You can unsubscribe at any time and we’ll never share your details to third parties.
More information Privacy policy
Daily science news on research developments and the latest scientific innovations
The latest engineering, electronics and technology advances
The most comprehensive sci-tech news coverage on the web
This site uses cookies to assist with navigation, analyse your use of our services, collect data for ads personalisation and provide content from third parties. By using our site, you acknowledge that you have read and understand our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
