What Is It?
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is breath that has an unpleasant odor. This
odor can strike periodically or be persistent, depending on the cause.
In many people, the millions of bacteria that live in the mouth (particularly
on the back of the tongue) are the primary causes of bad breath. The
mouth's warm, moist conditions make an ideal environment for these bacteria
to grow. Most bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.
Some types of bad breath, such as "morning mouth," are considered
to be fairly normal, and they usually are not health concerns. The "morning
mouth" type of bad breath occurs because the saliva that regularly
washes away decaying food and odors during the daytime diminishes at
night while you sleep. Your mouth becomes dry, and dead cells adhere
to your tongue and to the inside of your cheeks. Bacteria use these cells
for food and expel compounds that have a foul odor.
In addition, bad breath can be caused by the following:
- Poor dental hygiene — Infrequent or improper
brushing and flossing can leave food particles to decay inside the
mouth.
- Infections in the mouth — Periodontal (gum)
disease
- Respiratory tract infections — Throat infections,
sinus infections, lung infections
- External agents — Garlic, onions, coffee,
cigarette smoking, chewing tobacco
- Dry mouth (xerostomia) — This
can be caused by salivary gland problems, medications or by "mouth
breathing."
- Systemic illnesses — Diabetes, liver disease,
kidney disease, lung disease, sinus disease, reflux disease and others
- Psychiatric illness — Some people may perceive
that they have bad breath, but it is not noticed by oral-health-care
professionals or others. This is referred to as "pseudohalitosis."
Symptoms
A person may not always know that he or she has bad breath. This phenomenon
is because odor-detecting cells in the nose eventually become accustomed
to the constant flow of bad smells from the mouth. Others may notice
and react by recoiling as you speak.
Other associated symptoms depend on the underlying cause of bad breath:
- Poor dental hygiene — Teeth are coated with
film or plaque, food debris trapped between teeth, pale or swollen
gums
- Infections in the mouth — Gums may be red,
swollen and bleed easily, especially after brushing or flossing; pus
may drain from between teeth; a pocket of pus (abscess) at the base
of a tooth; loose teeth or a change in "fit" of a denture;
painful, open sores on the tongue or gums
- Respiratory tract infections — Sore throat,
swollen lymph nodes ("swollen glands") in the neck, fever,
stuffy nose, a greenish or yellowish nasal discharge, a mucus-producing
cough
- External agents — Cigarette stains on fingers
and teeth, a uniform yellow "coffee stain" on teeth
- Dry mouth — Difficulty swallowing dry foods,
difficulty speaking for a prolonged period because of mouth dryness,
a burning sensation in the mouth, an unusually high number of dental
caries, dry eyes (in Sjögren's syndrome)
- Systemic (bodywide) illnesses — Symptoms
of diabetes, lung disease, kidney failure or liver disease
Diagnosis
A dentist or physician may notice the patient's bad breath while the
patient is discussing his or her medical history and symptoms. In some
cases, depending on the smell of the patient's breath, the dentist or
physician may suspect a likely cause for the problem. For example, "fruity" breath
may be a sign of uncontrolled diabetes. A urine-like smell, especially
in a person who is at high risk of kidney disease, can sometimes indicate
kidney failure.
Your dentist will review your medical history for medical conditions
that can cause bad breath and for medications that can cause dry mouth.
Your dentist also will ask you about your diet, personal habits (smoking,
chewing tobacco) and any symptoms, including when the bad breath was
noticed and by whom.
Your dentist will examine your teeth, gums, oral tissues and salivary
glands. He or she also will feel your head and neck and will evaluate
your breath when you exhale from your nose and from your mouth. Once
the physical examination is finished, your dentist may refer you to your
family physician if systemic problems are the most likely cause. In severe
cases of gum disease, your dentist may recommend that you be seen by
a periodontist (dentist who specializes in gum problems).
You will need diagnostic tests if the doctor suspects a lung infection,
diabetes, kidney disease, liver disease or Sjögren's syndrome. Depending
on the suspected illness, these tests may include blood tests, urine
tests, X-rays of the chest or sinuses, or other specialized testing.
Expected Duration
How long bad breath lasts depends on its cause. For example, when the
problem results from poor dental hygiene, proper
dental carewill
begin to freshen the mouth immediately, with even more impressive results
after a few days of regular brushing and flossing. Periodontal
disease and tooth
abscessalso respond quickly to proper dental treatment. Bad breath
resulting from chronic sinusitis may be a recurring problem, especially
if it is caused by a structural abnormality of the sinuses.
Bad breath the results from a systemic illness may be a long-term problem
that can often be controlled with proper medical care.
Prevention
Bad breath caused by dental problems can be prevented easily. Daily maintenance
calls for brushing your teeth, tongue and gums after meals, flossing,
and rinsing with mouthwashes approved by the American Dental Association
(ADA). Regular
visits to the dentist(at least twice a year) should be made for dental
examinations and for professional teeth and gum cleaning.
Bad breath also can be combated by drinking plenty of water every day
to encourage saliva production. An occasional swish of the mouth with
water can loosen food particles. Other products that keep breath fresh
and prevent plaque from forming include sugar-free gum, sugarless lozenges,
raw carrots and celery.
Treatment
The treatment of bad breath depends on its cause. When To Call A Professional
Call your dentist promptly if you have bad breath with painful, swollen
gums that bleed easily or loose teeth. Also, call your doctor if you
have bad breath along with a fever, sore throat, a postnasal drip, a
discolored nasal discharge or a mucus-producing cough. Even if you have
none of these associated symptoms, call your dentist or physician if
your bad breath continues despite a good diet and proper dental hygiene.
If you have diabetes, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or chronic
liver or kidney disease, ask your doctor how bad breath can be a sign
that your underlying medical condition needs immediate medical attention.
Prognosis
Once bad breath has been diagnosed, the outlook for fresh breath is usually
excellent as long as you stick to your dentist's or physician's treatment
plan.
Additional Info
American Dental Association
211 East Chicago Ave.
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 440-2500
Fax: (312) 440-2800
http://www.ada.org/ National Institute of Dental & Craniofacial Research
Building 45
Room 4AS19
45 Center Dr. MSC 6400
Bethesda, MD 20892-6400
Phone: (301) 496-4261
Fax: (301) 496-9988
E-Mail: nidrinfo@od31.nidcr.nih.gov
http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/ |
