Bad Breath: What Causes It and How Can It Be Eliminated?

Usually, the breath does not have a noticeable odor. However, in some cases, it acquires an odor that can be easily perceived because it is strong and unpleasant. The good news is that there are effective treatments to combat it.

Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a disorder that affects many people and consists of an unpleasant odor coming from the mouth. To confirm whether you suffer from it, you can cover your mouth and nose with both hands and blow, so that your hands force the air you expel to go towards your nose.

According to dentist Rudy Marquez, if you notice that you are beginning to develop bad breath, it is important to make changes to your oral hygiene habits. He says that brushing your teeth and cleaning your tongue after each meal, as well as flossing frequently, will help because this will prevent bacterial plaque from forming and adhering to your teeth, a situation that also involves gum problems and bad breath. He also adds that tobacco has a rather strong smell that permeates the mouth and its components also cause gum diseases, which include bad breath among its symptoms.

Regular visits to your dentist will help you avoid bad breath caused by plaque. (Photo: Shutterstock)

If, despite changing your habits, the problem persists, Márquez suggests visiting your dentist because it could also be a symptom of cavities, or, after analyzing your oral health, he or she could even refer you to a doctor because the problem could be something more serious.

According to a publication by the Mayo Clinic, in addition to the bacteria that can form in the mouth due to food residue and its decomposition, bad breath can have other causes:

Medications

Some medications break down in the body and release chemicals through your breath.

Mouth, nose and throat conditions

Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose or throat, which contribute to postnasal drip or small bumps that form around the tonsils and then become covered with bacteria, are also causes of bad breath.

Dry mouth

One of the functions of saliva is to help clean the mouth by removing particles that cause bad breath. There is a condition called xerostomia, also known as “dry mouth,” which causes decreased saliva production. Dry mouth often occurs during sleep and is the cause of bad breath in the morning. If xerostomia is chronic, it may be caused by a condition in the salivary glands or by a disease.

Diseases

Diseases such as some cancers and conditions such as metabolic disorders can cause bad breath as a result of the chemicals they produce.

There are chewing gums, mints, mouthwashes, and other products on the market designed to combat bad breath. Some are very effective, but it is important to keep in mind that these are temporary measures because they do not combat the cause of the problem.

Chewing gum may be effective, but its effect will not last long because it does not combat the cause of the problem. (Photo Prensa Libre: Shutterstock)

Dr. Luis Barreda Matta explains that the most common causes (85% to 90% of cases) of bad breath are oral, which can be periodontal disease, stomatitis (a condition that causes swelling and sores that cause pain inside the mouth), pharyngitis and tumors. He also mentions extraoral causes such as craniofacial abnormalities like cleft palate, rhinosinusitis (inflammation of the nasal passages and paranasal sinuses characterized by nasal blockage, obstruction, and/or congestion coupled with nasal discharge), postnasal drip (a condition that causes a large amount of mucus to build up in the throat or nose) and others. The third group of causes are digestive and include Helicobacter pylori infection, gastroesophageal reflux (defined by MedlinePlus as a condition in which stomach contents flow back up from the stomach into the esophagus (swallowing tube)), and Zenker’s diverticulum (protrusions of the pharyngeal mucosa through a relatively weak area of the posterior wall of the pharynx). Finally, there are systematic causes such as advanced kidney disease, advanced liver disease, and diabetic ketoacidosis.

Avoiding foods that can cause bad breath, such as onions and garlic, in addition to improving oral health, helps eliminate bad breath. (Photo Prensa Libre: Shutterstock)

Regarding treatment, the professional indicates that it is carried out according to the cause. An evaluation by a dentist, improving oral hygiene, using mouthwash, maintaining adequate hydration, and taking oral probiotics will help the patient.