Find out the causes of bad breath and how it can be treated. Source: www.simplestepsdental.com
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.
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."
Sympthoms:
-
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.
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.
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.
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 abscess also 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.
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.
|
