Do you struggle with bad breath? If so, you're not alone. An American Dental Association study reports that approximately 50% of all adults suffer from this condition. Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath, and it can cause a lot of anxiety and embarrassment. You’ve probably tried breath mints, chewing gum, or mouthwashes designed to fight bad breath. These products are only temporary solutions because they don’t address the root of your problem.
What Causes Halitosis?
Certain mouth bacteria assist your digestion by breaking down the proteins in food. They also extract sulfur compounds during this process. Many foods, such as garlic and onion, are notorious for causing bad breath due to their sulfur compounds.
Other foods that produce smelly odors are drying agents that include alcoholic beverages, acidic foods and foods with dense proteins. Sugars also cause halitosis. This is why sugary mint candies and gum do not eliminate bad breath.
Certain health conditions can also affect the smell of your breath. However, poor dental habits may be the number one cause of halitosis. Fortunately, proper and consistent dental care can greatly improve your bad breath.
Halitosis Signs and Symptoms
You may not always know if you have bad breath. The odor-detecting cells in your nose may be impaired, or they may become accustomed to the bad smells from your mouth. Other people may notice your breath when you speak, and they may react to the smell by flinching or stepping back.
Recognizing the symptoms of halitosis can help you prevent it. Poor dental hygiene is a cause and symptom of bad breath. When your teeth are coated with a thin film of bacteria called plaque, food gets trapped in your teeth. Your gums may be pale or swollen, and your breath has an unpleasant smell.
Mouth infections are also a symptom of halitosis. Infections turn your pale or swollen gums red, and they may start to bleed. A pocket of pus, which dentists call an abscess, may form at the base of a tooth. Painful, open sores may appear on your gums or tongue.
Respiratory tract infections are another sign that you may have bad breath. Your sore throat, swollen glands and stuffy nose may also come with nasal discharge or a mucus-producing cough, with bad breath thrown into the mix.
Sometimes, bad breath is associated with dry mouth. When your mouth is dry, you may feel a burning sensation in your mouth or have trouble talking. Your eyes may be dry, too. People with dry mouth often have a lot of dental cavities, and this contributes to bad breath.
External agents, such as coffee and tea, can leave yellow stains on your teeth and fingers. This is sometimes a sign that your breath smells too. Halitosis is also linked to certain illnesses such as diabetes, liver disease, kidney failure and lung disease.
Halitosis Treatments and Self-Care
The treatment of halitosis depends on its source and underlying cause. Professional dental care and good oral hygiene can reduce bad breath and prevent gum disease. When illness causes halitosis, proper medical treatment can eliminate bad breath.
If your bad breath results from plaque buildup on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a toothpaste or mouthwash with antibacterial agents. Self-care can also keep halitosis at bay. This includes brushing and flossing your teeth, brushing your tongue, cleaning your braces or dentures and adjusting your diet.
