Bad breath or halitosis is something that mouthwash or fresheners cannot solve. These products have been known to fight bad breath, but they usually do not address the root cause of the problem.
The condition may seem normal but can turn embarrassing many times and even cause anxiety.
Halitosis affects nearly 25% percent of the population. Though there are a number of causes, the majority of the cases come down to oral hygiene.
Certain foods and health conditions are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, you can improve your bad breath with proper oral hygiene terms but if self-care tips do not work, see your doctor or physician, to be sure of your health condition.
Fast facts
- Bad breath affects 1 in 4 people globally.
- The most common cause is bad oral hygiene.
- When you eat something, most particles are left in the mouth. Bacteria start to act on those particles and produce sulfur compounds upon breaking them.
- Hydration can help combat mouth odor.
- Other self-care techniques like regular brushing, flossing may help.
How does food affect breath?
The food we consume is broken down into the mouth. The food is then absorbed into the bloodstream and move to the lungs. This, in turn, affects your breathing. If you eat food with odors, pungent- even brushing won’t help. You may merely cover the odor temporarily, but this won’t go until the food is passed down through the body. Many foods are a natural source of bad or strong odor, such as spices, soda, alcohol, onion, garlic, etc.
People who do not eat much or stay on a diet are also prone to bad breath. The body also produces bad breath when fat is tear resulting in the release of the chemicals. This gives bad breath!
Causes
Let’s learn about some of the causes of bad breath or halitosis:
Dental Issues: Issues like deeper pockets or cavities give bad breath because bacteria may hide there, and even brushing won’t help.
Dry saliva: Saliva goes a long way for your dental health. Saliva kills the unwanted leftovers in the mouth, aid in the breaking of food, and provides disease-fighting substances to abstain from the risk of cavities and infections. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath in many cases.
Mouth, Nose, and Throat Infections: Sinus, nose, and throat infections lead to postnatal drip that causes bad breath.
Smoking and tobacco: Tobacco can badly damage your breath and dries out your mouth.
Other chronic conditions: Liver disease, diabetes, kidney problems, gastric reflux, etc can also contribute to bad breath. Some cancers and metabolic diseases can cause halitosis due to the specific mixes of chemicals they generate.
Medications: Certain types of drugs can lower saliva production; therefore, odors become prevalent—for instance, nitrates, chemotherapy drugs, etc. Even vitamin supplements are also bound to cause bad breath or halitosis.
Foreign body: Bad breath also occurs if you have a foreign body lodged in the nasal cavity. This happens especially in children.
Other causes
Apart from oral hygiene, several other factors can also be blamed:
Ketoacidosis – When you have diabetes, the body can no longer use sugar and begin to use fat. Upon the breakdown of fat, ketones, poison is produced, which is the cause of the bad odor.
Aspiration pneumonia – Infection in the lungs due to inhaling saliva, food, vomit, etc.
Bowel obstruction – If there have been prolonged instances of vomiting and bowel obstruction, it is common to experience breath disorder.
Bronchiectasis – In this condition, the airways become wider, allowing mucus to accumulate, causing halitosis.
Symptoms
The odor of the breath depends on the underlying cause. Ask your doctor to check for your mouth odor, as it can be difficult for you to do on your own. Some people worry too much about their breath while they have an occasional odor, while others may even not know about it. This condition is called halitophobia, and that mostly ends with obsessive mouth-cleansing behavior.
When to see a doctor
Practicing oral hygiene practices can help with bad breath. Lifestyle measures are essentially helpful such as brushing teeth twice a day, using dental floss, and staying hydrating. If your issue still persists, you need to see a dentist. Your dentist may examine your health and determine the cause of bad breath and suggests treatment accordingly.
Health problems associated with halitosis
Chronic bad breath can indicate a problem with your gums. Gum disorders occur because of the plaque buildup in the teeth on which bacteria starts to feed. The bacterial growth causes toxins production which may further damage gums and jawbone.
Other complications:
- Dry mouth called xerostomia
- Anxiety and stress
- Low self-esteem
- Bad breath may stop you from living your social life
Diagnosis
Your doctor may test your breath from the nose and the mouth to rate the odor on a scale. The back of the tongue is often the source of the smell; your dentist may also scrape it and rate the odor.
Some detectors can help rate odor more precisely.
They include the following:
- Halimeter: To detect levels of sulfur.
- Beta-galactosidase test: To detect the levels of the enzyme beta-galactosidase.
- Gas chromatography: The test measures sulfur compounds- dimethyl sulfide, hydrogen sulfide, and methyl mercaptan.
- BANA test: Measures specific enzyme secreted by halitosis causing bacteria.
Ayurvedic treatment for halitosis
As per Ayurveda, poor breath results from toxins buildup in the body, obstructing the minute channels of the body. Such toxins are full of odor that affect the breath. Based on the underlying condition, the treatment is decided, and efforts are made to restore dental health. Using herbal concoctions, toxins are released, and the body is detoxified.
Diet and lifestyle changes are also recommended to the patients, along with medications during the ayurvedic treatment.