Here are 15 causes of bad breath that you should know

Poor dental hygiene is the main cause of most cases of halitosis or what is commonly called bad breath. Not just food, bad breath can also be caused by other medical conditions. Check out the various causes of bad breath that can be annoying as below!

Causes of bad breath in general

Halitosis or bad breath is caused by bacteria that grow and multiply in the mouth. As a result, when you open your mouth or exhale through your mouth, an unpleasant aroma comes out.

There are many things that can trigger or worsen bad breath. Here are some common things that cause bad breath:

1. Dry mouth

Bad breath caused by dry mouth occurs due to a lack of saliva production in the mouth. Saliva, also known as saliva, has a function to clean the mouth naturally.

Lack of saliva production is also more common after you sleep.

“During the day, your mouth produces large amounts of saliva. But when you sleep, saliva production goes down, "said Drg. Hugh Flax, a dentist and former president of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry in Atlanta, was quoted as saying by Medical Daily.

If your mouth is dry, then bacteria and germs will nest comfortably in your mouth. These bacteria and germs cause the bad smell.

Dry mouth is usually triggered by dehydration, a side effect of medications that are currently being taken, or if you have recently had radiotherapy around your neck and head. This one cause of bad breath is also the reason behind bad breath when you wake up in the morning.

2. Food, drink and medicine

Chemical compounds contained in food, drinks, or medicines that are consumed can be absorbed by your blood and exhaled through the lungs.

That is why your breath will smell bad after you eat foods or drinks that have a strong aroma, such as onions, petai, and durian.

In addition, food debris left on the teeth can also spread a bad smell in the mouth.

Not only food, certain drugs can also cause bad breath. There are several types of drugs that can cause bad breath, including antihistamines, antipsychotics, and diuretic drugs.

According to Hadie Rifai, a dentist from the Cleveland Clinic, these drugs have side effects in the form of dry mouth which can trigger bad breath. Even if you are diligent in brushing your teeth, the risk of bad breath will remain as long as you are still taking these drugs.

3. Smoking

According to a study published in Hong Kong Medical Journal in 2004, smoking was the most common cause of bad breath. Smoking can reduce the production of saliva in the mouth so that the mouth feels dry.

Keep in mind that when the mouth gets dry, the more bacteria will thrive in the mouth.

What's more, tobacco from cigarettes can also increase the risk of gum disease. Well, the combination of dry mouth and gum disease is the reason why you experience bad breath, even though you are diligently brushing your teeth every day.

4. Sleep with your mouth open and snoring

Dr. Cram, a periodontist from the United States, says that if you snore or sleep with your mouth open and breathe through your mouth then you're more likely to have bad breath in the morning than you don't.

Both of these situations make the mouth more prone to dryness, so bacteria can grow more. Basically when you produce less saliva in the mouth, it is the same as reducing the ability of the mouth to fight the bacteria that cause bad breath.

Health conditions that cause bad breath

Although the main cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene, you can also experience bad breath due to certain diseases. Here are some diseases that can cause bad breath, such as:

1. Gum disease

In addition to teeth that are not kept clean, gum disease can also cause bad breath. A 2012 study found a direct link between periodontitis and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and bad breath. Halitosis that occurs is the result of bacteria that live in the patient's mouth.

2. Cancer

Don't panic and immediately think that your bad breath is a sign of cancer. Cancer can make a person's breath have many complications, one of which is bad breath.

Bad breath can identify cancer in its early stages. The Cleveland Clinic has tested a device that can detect lung cancer in 80% of patients, based on a breath test alone.

Chemotherapy and radiation therapy can cause dry mouth by affecting saliva production. Without sufficient saliva flow, unwanted bacteria can increase the release of sulfur gas which can make bad breath worse.

3. Allergies

If you suffer from allergies, in addition to an itchy throat, stuffy nose, and watery eyes, you will also experience bad breath. The mucus and mucus provide an area for the bad germs to thrive that cause bad breath.

Often times when we have allergies, you will experience dry mouth. This is also a cause of bad breath.

Although there is no good solution to this problem, getting rid of your mucus and keeping your mouth clean and fresh can help you get rid of bad breath.

4. Diabetes

Diabetics experience inadequate insulin production. This can direct the body to burn fat, a condition called ketoacidosis.

This condition can lead to an increase in ketones (a product of fat metabolism) and the body will excrete them through the urine and lungs. This can be the cause of bad breath because breath smells like acetone (dimethyl ketone).

5. Liver disease

People with liver disease may also experience bad breath, which scientists refer to as fetor hepaticus. This one cause of bad breath can indicate a problem with the liver, often even before other symptoms.

6. Kidney failure

Bad breath can occur if you have kidney failure. Researchers speculate that this may be due to metabolic changes that can cause dry mouth, lack of saliva, and decreased taste buds.

All of these conditions can contribute to halitosis because saliva fails to clear the mouth and is a cause of bad breath.

7. Candida albicans

Another case that can cause bad breath is Candida albicans. This fungus has been shown to be a common problem for those with tongue piercings. This problem has also been identified in denture wearers or braces wearers.

8. Chronic acid reflux

Suffering from chronic acid reflux is bad enough. For those who suffer from this disease, keeping the mouth clean is very important because it can cause bad breath.

A review of several studies on people with GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) found that halitosis often bothers GERD patients.

The build-up of acids and other partially digested substances into the esophagus and oral cavity can cause bad breath problems and make it difficult to maintain oral hygiene.

9.

H.pylori infection is usually associated with ulcers and other digestive tract problems. However, this condition has a possible cause for halitosis or bad breath.

A study found that people with indigestion had halitosis and H.pylori infection. Fortunately, when sufferers get over the infection, bad breath will disappear.

10. Sjögren's Syndrome

Sometimes, dry mouth is caused by an autoimmune disorder (the body attacks itself). One medical condition known as Sjögren's syndrome occurs when the body attacks and blocks the exocrine glands (such as the salivary glands) from carrying out their functions. Problems like this not only make your mouth dry, but can be a trigger and cause of bad breath and other related problems.

11. Mouth, nose, or throat infections

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, bad breath that doesn't go away can also be caused by an infection that comes from the mouth, nose, or throat. People with sinusitis, post-nasal drip, or a sore throat due to a bacterial infection (strep throat) are more likely to have bad breath problems.

Most of these infections are caused by bacteria. The bacteria then feed on the mucus that is produced by the body, even though this mucus is supposed to be used to fight infection. The result is a foul odor and an unpleasant smell from the mouth.

Did you know that maintaining good oral and dental health is very important to reduce bad breath? So, make sure you schedule regular visits to the dentist for dental cleanings and exams.

Brush your teeth twice a day with toothpaste containing fluoride to remove food debris and plaque can also help prevent and overcome bad breath. Also add the habit of brushing your tongue properly.