Makers of mints and mouthwashes sell millions of dollars worth of products every year. Yet these products help control bad breath (halitosis) only temporarily. They actually may be less effective than simply rinsing your mouth with water and brushing and flossing your teeth.
Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. If simple self-care techniques don't solve the problem, you may want to see your dentist or physician to rule out a more serious condition.
The causes of bad breath are numerous. They include:
- Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can cause a foul odor. Eating
foods containing volatile oils is another source of bad breath. Onions and garlic are the best known
examples, but other vegetables and spices also can cause bad breath. After such foods are digested and
the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they're carried to your lungs and are given off in
your breath until the food is eliminated from your body. Alcohol behaves in the same fashion, allowing
the measurement of alcohol levels by breath tests. Alcohol itself has almost no odor, however. The
characteristic smell on your breath is mainly the odor of other components of the beverage.
- Dental problems. Poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease can be a source of bad breath.
If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, collecting odorous bacteria. A
colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can
irritate your gums (gingivitis) and cause tooth decay. Eventually, plaque-filled pockets can form
between your teeth and gums (periodontitis), worsening this problem — and your breath. Dentures that
aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly can also harbor odor-causing bacteria and food
particles.
- Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse and moisten your mouth. A dry mouth enables dead cells to
accumulate on your tongue, gums and cheeks. These cells then decompose and cause odor. Dry mouth is
natural during sleep. It's the cause of "morning breath." But dry mouth is a problem especially if you
sleep with your mouth open. Some medications and smoking also can lead to a chronic dry mouth, as can a
problem with your salivary glands.
- Disease. Chronic lung infections and lung abscesses can produce very foul-smelling breath.
Several other illnesses can cause a distinctive breath odor. Kidney failure can cause a urine-like
odor, and liver failure may cause an odor described as "fishy." People with uncontrolled diabetes often
have a fruity breath odor. Chronic reflux of stomach acids from your stomach (gastroesophageal reflux
disease, or GERD) and a slight protrusion of the stomach into the chest cavity (hiatal hernia) can
produce bad breath.
- Mouth, nose and throat conditions. Bad breath is also associated with sinus infections
because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor. A child
with bad breath may have a foreign object lodged in his or her nose. A bean or small item stuck in the
nose can cause persistent nasal discharge and a foul odor. Strep throat, tonsillitis and mononucleosis
can cause bad breath until the throat infection clears. Bronchitis and other upper respiratory
infections in which you cough up odorous sputum are other sources of bad breath. Canker sores may be
related to bad breath, especially if they accompany periodontal disease.
- Tobacco products. Smoking dries out your mouth and causes its own unpleasant mouth odor.
Tobacco users are also more likely to suffer from periodontal disease, an additional source of bad
breath.
- Severe dieting. Dieters may develop unpleasant "fruity" breath from ketoacidosis, the
breakdown of body chemicals during fasting.
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When to Seek Medical Advice |
Most people can prevent or improve bad breath by practicing proper dental hygiene. If bad breath persists despite self-care, see your dentist. If the cause isn't dental, see your physician to determine a possible medical cause. You may need a physical examination and testing to pinpoint the underlying cause.
Try the following steps to improve or prevent bad breath:
- Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to brush after lunch.
- Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your
teeth.
- Brush your tongue. Giving your tongue, including the back of your tongue, a good brushing removes
dead cells, bacteria and food debris.
- Clean your dentures well. If you wear a bridge or a partial or a complete denture, clean it
thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist.
- Drink plenty of water. To keep your mouth moist, be sure to consume plenty of water — not coffee,
pop or alcohol. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also
stimulates saliva, washing away food particles and bacteria. If you suffer from chronic dry mouth, your
dentist or physician may additionally prescribe an artificial saliva preparation.
- Use a fairly new toothbrush. Change your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
- Schedule regular dental checkups. At least twice a year, see your dentist to have your teeth or
dentures examined and cleaned.
You can teach your school-age children to brush and floss their teeth regularly and to brush their tongue to prevent bad breath. However, don't give children mouthwash to use, because many mouthwash products contain alcohol and can pose a risk for children if they swallow the liquid.
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August 6, 2002 —
