4 Conditions That Can Cause Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common complaint dealt with in general dentistry. With the right treatment, you can overcome it. The first step is understanding the underlying cause of your bad breath. Consider whether one of these four conditions could be causing your halitosis.

1. Gum Disease

Bad breath can be one of the first signs of gum disease. Every day, dental plaque builds up on your teeth. If you do not manage to remove all the plaque by brushing and flossing, it hardens into a scaly substance called tartar, which causes gum irritation and leads to bacteria infecting the gums.

If your gums are sore or red or if they bleed easily, schedule a dental appointment so you can get diagnosis and treatment from a dentist. It is important not to leave gum disease untreated, as it can cause tooth loss.

2. Dry Mouth

If you suffer from dry mouth, you are more likely to experience bad breath. Saliva contains bacteria-killing enzymes which help to keep your mouth fresh. If you have dry mouth as a result of a medical condition or the side effects of a medication, see your dentist. They might be able to prescribe a product that can stimulate saliva production. You can also help yourself by sipping water regularly throughout the day to keep your mouth moist.

3. Acid Reflux

Not all cases of bad breath are due to an oral health condition. Sometimes, bad breath can be a symptom of a gastrointestinal issue, such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). This condition causes the valve at the top of the stomach to malfunction, allowing acid to come out of the stomach and into the esophagus. You might notice an acidic feeling in the back of your throat or a burning feeling in the middle of your chest.

In addition to causing bad breath and contributing to dental decay, GERD can cause serious harm to the oesophagus if it goes untreated. Therefore, it is important not to ignore the symptoms. Your doctor can prescribe acid-reducing medications or refer you for surgery to prevent reflux.

4. Diet

Sometimes, you can tackle bad breath simply by changing your diet. Sugar feeds the bacteria that cause bad smells in the mouth, so reducing your consumption of sugary foods and drinks could help.

You might also find it helpful to reduce your consumption of coffee, which often causes breath to take on a bitter and stale smell. Rinsing your mouth after drinking coffee can help to reduce this effect.