John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Dr. Charles "Pat" Davis, MD, PhD, is a board certified Emergency Medicine doctor who currently practices as a consultant and staff member for hospitals. He has a PhD in Microbiology (UT at Austin), and the MD (Univ. Texas Medical Branch, Galveston). He is a Clinical Professor (retired) in the Division of Emergency Medicine, UT Health Science Center at San Antonio, and has been the Chief of Emergency Medicine at UT Medical Branch and at UTHSCSA with over 250 publications.
Bad breath, or halitosis, is
characterized by an unpleasant odor of the mouth.
Causes of bad breath include food,
tobacco products, poor dental hygiene, health problems, dry mouth, mouth
infections, dental problems, or medications.
Symptoms of bad breath include
unpleasant odor or taste in the mouth, dry mouth, or white coating on the
tongue.
Treatments for bad breath include
proper dental hygiene, mouthwash, sugar free gum,
quitting smoking, and changing
bad habits.
Bad breath can usually be prevented by
proper tooth brushing, quitting smoking, and avoiding foods that cause bad breath
odors.
What is the definition of bad breath?
The definition of bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the
mouth. It can occur on occasion, or it can be a chronic condition. It may be
caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions, or other
factors.
There are many causes for bad breath; some common causes are listed below.
Food: Food is a primary source of bad
odors that come from the mouth. Some foods, such as garlic, onions, and spicy
foods, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages
such as coffee can leave a lingering smell. Most of the time this is short-term.
Other foods may get stuck in the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria, which
causes bad breath odor. Low carbohydrate diets may also cause 'ketone breath.'
These diets cause the body to burn fat as its energy source. The end-product of
making this energy are ketones, which cause a fruity acetone-like odor on the
breath when exhaled.
Tobacco products: Smoking and
chewing
tobacco can leave chemicals that remain in the mouth. Smoking can also
precipitate other bad-breath causes such as
gum disease or oral cancers.
Poor dental hygiene: When a person does
not brush or floss regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth can rot and
cause bad odors. Poor dental care can lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth,
which causes an odor of its own. Plaque buildup can also lead to periodontal
(gum) disease. The mild form of gum disease is called
gingivitis; if gingivitis
is not treated, it can advance to periodontitis.
Dry Mouth: Also called xerostomia, dry
mouth can also cause bad breath. Saliva helps moisten and cleanse the mouth, and
when the body does not product enough saliva, bad breath may result. Dry mouth
may be caused by salivary gland problems, connective tissue disorders (Sjögren's
syndrome), medications, or breathing through the mouth.
Mouth infections:Cavities, gum
disease, or impacted teeth may cause bad breath.
Dentures or braces: Food particles not
properly cleaned from appliances can rot or cause bacteria and odor.
Loose-fitting dentures may cause sores or infections in the mouth, which can
cause bad breath.
Medications: Many medications including
antihistamines and diuretics can cause dry mouth (see above), which can cause
bad breath. Other medications which may lead to bad breath may include
insulin
shots, triamterene, and paraldehyde.
"Morning breath": Bad breath in the
morning is very common. Saliva production nearly stops during sleep, which
allows bacteria to grow, causing bad breath.
Other causes of bad breath: Objects
stuck in the nose (usually in children), alcoholism, and large doses of vitamin
supplements
Reviewed by Charles Patrick Davis, MD, PhD on 5/6/2013
A tiny stone (calculus) in the tonsils. Such stones are found within little pockets (crypts) in the tonsils. These pockets typically form in chronic recurrent tonsillitis, and they harbor bacteria. Tonsilloliths are foul smelling because they tend to contain high quantities of sulfur compounds. When crushed, they give off a characteristic rotten-egg smell and can cause bad breath. Tonsilloliths may also give a person the sense that something is caught in the back of the throat. Also known as tonsil stone.
Sinus infection (sinusitis) signs and symptoms include headache, fever, and facial tenderness, pressure, or pain. Treatments of sinus infections are generally
Most sore throats are caused by viruses or mechanical causes (such as mouth breathing) and can be treated successfully at home. However, a person should
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic condition characterized by high levels of sugar (glucose) in the blood. The two types of diabetes are referred to as type
Thrush is an infection of the mouth caused by the candida fungus. Symptoms of Thrush include pain or difficulty swallowing, a feeling that food gets stuck
An allergy refers to a misguided reaction by our immune system in response to bodily contact with certain foreign substances. When these allergens come
Sjögren's syndrome is an autoimmune disease involving the abnormal production of extra antibodies that attack the glands and connective tissue. Sjögren's
Dry socket is a painful condition that sometimes occurs after a tooth has been pulled. Dry socket can occur if the blood clot protecting the bone and nerves
Bronchitis is a disease of the respiratory system in which the bronchial passages become inflamed. There are two types of bronchitis, acute and chronic.
Dry mouth is a common side effect of many prescription and non-prescription drugs and certain medical conditions. Symptoms of dry mouth include a sticky,
Chronic bronchitis is a cough that occurs daily with production of sputum that lasts for at least three months, two years in a row. Causes of chronic bronchitis
The common cold (viral upper respiratory tract infection) is a contagious illness that may be caused by various viruses. Symptoms include a stuffy nose,
In lactose intolerance, the digestive system cannot digest lactose (the main sugar in milk). Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, flatulence,
It is thought that the tonsils and adenoids assist the body in fighting incoming bacteria and viruses by helping the body form antibodies. This is thought
Gum disease is caused by plaque and may result in tooth loss without proper treatment. Symptoms and signs of gum disease (gingivitis or periodontal disease)
Learn more about cavities including symptoms, treatment, and prevention. See how tooth decay, plaque, and bacteria contribute to the creation of cavities
Gum problems may be caused by improper brushing and flossing, gum disease, canker sores, treatments and hormonal changes. Symptoms of gum problems include
Smokeless tobacco can have negative health effects such as cancers, poor oral health (gum disease and tooth decay), infertility, pregnancy complications,
Fish odor syndrome (trimethylaminuria) is a genetic disorder in which the symptoms of the syndrome include offensive body odor and the smell of rotting
Early warning signs of job stress include headache, sleep disturbance, difficulty in concentrating, short temper, upset stomach, job dissatisfaction, and
The urea breath test (UBT) is a test for diagnosing the
presence of a bacterium, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) in the stomach.
H.
pylori causes inflammation, ulcers, and atroph"...
