What are the symptoms of bad breath (halitosis)?
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American Dental Association answered:Bad breath can be caused by a number of sources, and he or she can help identify the cause and determine the best treatment.
- Food. What you eat affects the air you exhale, like garlic or onions. If you don't brush and floss daily, particles of food can remain in the mouth, collecting bacteria, which can cause bad breath. Dieters may develop unpleasant breath from infrequent eating.
- Gum disease. Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in the mouth can also be one of the warning signs of gum disease; which is caused by plaque.
- Dry mouth. This occurs when the flow of saliva decreases and can be caused by various medications, salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through the mouth. Without enough saliva, food particles are not cleaned away. If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist may prescribe anartificial saliva, or suggest using sugarless candy or increase your fluid intake.
- Smoking and tobacco. In addition to staining teeth and being bad for overall health, tobacco can add to bad breath. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease and are at greater risk for developing oral cancer. If you use tobacco, ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
- Medical conditions. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.
Bad breath can be caused by a number of sources, and he or she can help identify the cause and determine the best treatment. Food. What you eat affects the air you exhale, like garlic or onions. If you don't brush and floss daily,... More -
Dr. De Vizio of Colgate answered:Bad breath (halitosis) can cause a number of unpleasant odors.
- Bacteria-derived mouth odors smell like rotten eggs and/or rotting vegetation, such as cabbages.
- Food odors, derived from the stomach include onion and garlic odors.
- A person in liver failure can have a musty smelling breath.
- Kidney failure can cause the breath to smell like urine.
- Diabetes can cause your breath to have an acetone odor, similar to nail polish remover.
Bad breath (halitosis) can cause a number of unpleasant odors. Bacteria-derived mouth odors smell like rotten eggs and/or rotting vegetation, such as cabbages. Food odors, derived from the stomach include onion and garlic odors. A person in... More - Bacteria-derived mouth odors smell like rotten eggs and/or rotting vegetation, such as cabbages.
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Foul-smelling bacterial infection and chronic mouth inflammation are the most common causes of bad breath. Dental cavities and mouth, tongue, and gum infections are the most common culprits of these bacterial infections. Bronchiectasis, an infection and enlargement of the bronchial tubes, and lung abscess can also cause halitosis. There are however, three serious illnesses which can all give specific mouth odors:
- Liver failure causes a fishy odor (fetor hepaticus)
- Kidney failure an ammonia odor, and
- Diabetic coma (ketoacidosis) a fruity odor.
There are also many healthy individuals have persistent bad breath because of poor digestion.
Foul-smelling bacterial infection and chronic mouth inflammation are the most common causes of bad breath. Dental cavities and mouth, tongue, and gum infections are the most common culprits of these bacterial infections. ... More -
Halitosis (bad breath) occurs when the mouth emits a foul odor. This may occur periodically, or it may be a long-term condition, depending on the underlying cause. People are not always aware that they have bad breath because the nerve cells in the nose may become accustomed to the odor.
Depending on the underlying cause, additional symptoms may also be present. For instance, if poor oral hygiene is causing the condition, the teeth may become coated with plaque, the gums may be pale or swollen, and tiny food particles may become trapped in between the teeth. If an infection of the mouth is causing bad breath, the gums may be swollen, red, sore, and/or bleed easily (especially after brushing or flossing).
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Halitosis (bad breath) occurs when the mouth emits a foul odor. This may occur periodically, or it may be a long-term condition, depending on the underlying cause. People are not always aware that they have bad breath because the nerve cells in... More
