What may cause bad breath?
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Bad breath is medically called halitosis and can result from
poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Some common symptoms of bad breath include
bad breath smell, bad taste or taste changes, dry mouth and a coating on the
tongue.
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Bad breath can be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other
unhealthy lifestyle habits. Diet,
medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or illnesses are some of the
underlying reasons for bad breath. In
babies and young children, bad breath may be a sign of infection or
undiagnosed medical problems.
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Many individuals with bad breath may be unaware they have it, or
their symptoms may only be temporary.
The odor often depends upon the source or underlying cause of the bad
breath.
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A very common complaint of bad breathe is ‘morning breath.’ Overnight, bacteria accumulates in the
mouth, along with a reduction in salivary flow, causing bad breath. Rotting food left in the mouth as a result
of not brushing at night intensifies the smell as well as mouth
breathing. The mouth breathing dries
out the mouth.
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Common Causes of Bad Breath
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1. All the food you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth and
when a person does not brush or floss their teeth thoroughly, food particles
may remain in the mouth. These remaining food particles may become rotten and
cause bad breath. In addition, food particles over time can promote the
growth of bacteria, which can also cause bad breath. Some foods with strong odors can also play
a part in causing bad breath. These
foods include onions and garlic, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses,
fish and acidic beverages such as coffee.
They are absorbed into the bloodstream and then transferred to the
lungs, causing noticeable odors when exhaled.
In addition, some foods cause stomach upset and belching, which can
contribute to bad breath.
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2. Individuals, who are on low carbohydrate diets, may experience
what is known as 'ketone breath.' The
carbohydrate diet causes the body to burn fat as its energy source. The
end-products of making this energy are ketones, which cause a fruity
acetone-like odor on the breath when exhaled.
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3. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad
breath. It is also an end result of
not properly cleaning food particles from dentures and dental appliances
(e.g. braces). In addition, loose
fitting dentures can also cause sores and infections in the mouth, which can
cause bad breath.
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4. A decreased flow of saliva (dry mouth), which is a vital part of
the digestive process and the removal of odor-causing particles in the mouth
also causes bad breath. This decreased
flow of saliva, can be caused by breathing through the mouth, medication or
salivary gland problems.
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5. Many other diseases and illnesses may also cause bad breath such
as diabetes, liver or kidney disease, gum disease; respiratory tract
infections (e.g. pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal
drip); throat infection (e.g. pharyngitis and tonsillitis); lactose
intolerance; chronic acid reflux; and GERD (gastro esophageal reflux
disease).
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Most causes of bad
breath are due to inadequate oral health practices and are not often
life-threatening.
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If good oral hygiene practices do not stop the bad breath, see a
health professional. Persistent dry
mouth; pain with chewing or swallowing; sores in the mouth; white spots on
the tonsils; recent dental surgery merits an immediate consultation.
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Please visit your health care provider, if you experience any of the
above mentioned symptoms.
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“This article is for informational purposes only. It is not intended and may not be treated as,
a substitute for professional medical/dental advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
Always seek the advice of a physician or dental professional with any questions
you may have regarding a medical/dental condition. Never disregard professional
medical/dental advice or delay in seeking it because of a purely informational
publication." |