Bad breath is a condition that can cause discomfort to the individual and those around them, making daily life difficult. Due to the unpleasant odor it emits, it can even disrupt a person’s social life. Although most people try to mask bad breath with mouthwash, minty gum, and candies, as long as the source of the problem is not addressed and adequate oral hygiene is not maintained, bad breath will continue to persist. The occurrence of bad breath, medically known as halitosis, can happen for many different reasons. Although the causes vary from person to person, it is among the problems people face at every age, from infancy to old age. So, what causes bad breath?
Bad breath can be temporary or long-lasting. It can also arise from different causes. The most common causes of bad breath can be listed as follows:
Since the vast majority of bad breath cases are caused by oral and dental disorders, the first thing to do when encountering this smell is to get the opinion of a dentist.
To answer this question correctly, the source of the bad breath must first be identified. It is quite normal to have bad breath upon waking up in the morning. The smell is expected to disappear on its own during the day. No treatment is needed. However, if the smell is persistent, the cause may be very different from what you think.
Getting rid of bad breath caused by a lack of complete oral hygiene can be achieved by performing thorough oral and dental cleaning. If you brush your teeth regularly twice a day, get rid of food debris completely by using dental floss, and have your dental check-ups regularly every year, it is unlikely that you will experience bad breath.
If the complaint of bad breath still persists, the smell is expected to disappear after a filling or root canal therapy is applied to decayed teeth. However, if the complaint of bad breath continues despite taking all these precautions, you may have a condition that cannot be corrected with teeth whitening or tooth brushing. You can try to get the opinion of a good gastroenterologist to receive proper bad breath treatment and to check whether you have a stomach disease.
Bad breath and breath odor are conditions that can often be confused with each other. If the patient performs oral care regularly and has no dental or gum problems, it is likely that they are facing a problem of breath odor instead of bad breath. The source of breath odor is not the mouth; the odor comes from within. The cause of breath odor coming from the lungs could be lower respiratory infections or the beginning of lung cancer.
A large majority of people who experience breath odor also complain of body odor, burning eyes, and watery eyes. If you think the bad odor in your mouth is breath odor, we recommend that you consult an internal medicine specialist.
Bad breath in babies can be caused by formula and food particles stuck in the gums, thrush, and various infections that form in the gums. For this reason, oral care for babies should be taken care of from the first months, and gum care should be carried out with sensitivity, especially during the teething period.
Oral care for babies can be easily done with a clean gauze or cheesecloth dipped in boiled and cooled water. However, when bad breath is seen in children, a more comprehensive cleaning is required. A pea-sized amount of toothpaste specially produced for children should be squeezed onto a soft-bristled toothbrush, and the teeth should be cleaned with circular movements.
If you think your child, yourself, or a relative has a problem of severe bad breath caused by dental and gum problems, you can make an appointment with our specialist dentists and visit our website for detailed information.
1- What Can Be Done to Get Rid of Bad Breath Coming from Within?
Stomach-related problems can cause bad breath. To prevent bad breath coming from within, it is necessary to pay attention to stomach health. To prevent odor formation, one should stay away from dairy products and spicy foods that increase stomach acid and avoid eating late at night.
2- What Causes Persistent Bad Breath?
Individuals who do not pay attention to their oral and dental health may experience bad breath. However, persistent bad breath can arise from many different causes, such as stomach problems. The main conditions that cause persistent bad breath can be listed as smoking, reflux, excessive consumption of spicy and acidic foods, alcohol use, and lactose intolerance.
3- Bad Breath Can Be a Symptom of Which Diseases?
Constant bad breath can be a harbinger of sinusitis, pneumonia, bronchitis, reflux, gastritis, diabetes, and various gum diseases.
