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Bad Breath
Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor oral hygiene
habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made
worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits.
How Does What You Eat Affect Breath?
Basically, all the food you eat begins to be broken down in your
mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream, they are
eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat
foods with strong odors (such as, garlic or onions), brushing and flossing -
even mouthwash - merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go
away completely until the foods have passed through your body.
Why Do Poor Habits Cause Bad Breath?
If you don't brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in
your mouth, which promotes bacteria growth between teeth, around the gums, and
on the tongue. This causes bad breath. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and
food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned.
Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain
teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate gum tissues.
What Health Problems Are Associated With Bad Breath?
Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of
gum disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The
bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If
periodontal disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.
Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances,
yeast infections of the mouth and dental caries.
The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad
breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing
acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the
tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause
bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications,
salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.
Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be
aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic
sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, liver or kidney
problems.
Next: What Can I Do to Prevent Bad Breath? »
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