![Bad breath (halitosis) is an embarrassing problem of undesirable odor coming from the mouth. Bad breath (halitosis) is an embarrassing problem of undesirable odor coming from the mouth. Causes of bad breath include bacteria in the mouth, dry mouth, gum disease, medical conditions, food, smoking, and stress.](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/article/main_image/bad-breath.jpg?output-quality=75)
There are numerous causes of bad breath. Many causes are harmless, but some conditions that can cause bad breath can be serious. Causes of bad breath include:
- Bacteria in the mouth
- Dry mouth
- Gum disease
- Food
- Smoking and tobacco use
- Certain medical conditions
- Sinus condition
- Gastric reflux (GERD)
- Diabetes
- Liver or kidney disease
- Acute rheumatic fever
- Lung abscess
- Blood dyscrasias
- Uremia
- Diphtheria, dysentery, measles, pneumonia, scarlet fever, tuberculosis
- Syphilis
- Hand-Schuller-Christian disease
- Scurvy
- Wegner`s granulomatosis
Stress can also cause bad breath for a number of reasons:
- Dry mouth
- Poor eating
- When people are stressed, they may eat foods that can cause bad breath (foods high in sugar can cause bad breath)
- Smoking and tobacco use
- When people are stressed, they may tend to smoke or use tobacco, which can also cause bad breath and oral health problems
- Acid reflux
What Is Bad Breath?
What Are Symptoms of Bad Breath?
The main symptom of bad breath is an unpleasant or foul smell emanating from the mouth.
Symptoms that may accompany bad breath include:
- Dry mouth
- Unpleasant taste in mouth
- Coating on the tongue
How Is Bad Breath Diagnosed?
Bad breath is often evaluated by a dentist. In addition to patient history and physical examination of the mouth, tests may be needed to diagnose the cause of bad breath, such as:
- Organoleptic testing: assesses the strength of bad breath
- Sulfide monitors to measure mouth-air volatile sulfur compound (VSC) content, which are produced by anaerobic bacteria from food debris in the mouth that cause bad breath
- Gas chromatography to measure VSCs
- X-rays of the mouth
- Periodontal charting if gum disease is suspected
Other tests may be indicated depending on the suspected cause.
What Is the Treatment for Bad Breath?
The main treatment for bad breath is good oral hygiene.
- Brush and floss twice daily
- Mouthwash
- Can help kill bacteria or neutralize and mask bad breath
- Mouthwash is only a temporary solution
- Clean dentures regularly and thoroughly
- Keep saliva flowing
- Chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free hard candy
- Eat healthy foods that require a lot of chewing, such as carrots or apples
- Use artificial saliva if your dentist recommends it
- Don’t smoke
- See your dentist regularly
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References
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/b/bad-breath
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/bad-breath?search=bad%20breath&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H2120250223
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/oral-health/6-surprising-causes-of-bad-breath#:~:text=A%20diet%20very%20high%20in,unpleasant%20odor%20from%20your%20mouth.&text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,turn%20leads%20to%20bad%20breath
https://www.uptodate.com/contents/bad-breath?search=bad%20breath&source=search_result&selectedTitle=1~150&usage_type=default&display_rank=1#H2120250223
https://www.healthgrades.com/right-care/oral-health/6-surprising-causes-of-bad-breath#:~:text=A%20diet%20very%20high%20in,unpleasant%20odor%20from%20your%20mouth.&text=There%20are%20many%20types%20of,turn%20leads%20to%20bad%20breath