Mouth Odor which is otherwise known as bad breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the mouth. It can occur on occasion, or it can be a chronic condition. It may be caused by foods a person eats, poor oral hygiene, medical conditions, or other factors.
It could also be defined as the presence of a foul-smelling odor that seems to come from the mouth cavity. According to the Academy of General Dentistry, in more than 90% of cases, the odor originates in the mouth, throat, and tonsils.
Although this is something everyone experiences at one time or another, if your case does not improve after brushing, flossing, and rinsing the mouth with an alcohol free mouthwash, it may be chronic.
Causes Of Mouth Odor
Food: Food is a primary source of bad odors that come from the mouth. Some foods, such as garlic, onions, spicy foods, exotic spices (such as curry), some cheeses, fish, Meats and acidic beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering smell. Most of the time the odor is for a short while. Other foods may get stuck in the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria, which causes bad breath odor.
Poor Hygiene : When a person does not brush regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth can rot and cause bad odors. Poor dental care can lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth, which causes an odor of its own. Bacteria cause the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone.
Health issues: pneumonia, sore throat and other throat infections, tonsil stones ,thrush, diabetes, acid reflux, lactose intolerance, other stomach problems, and some liver diseases or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath.
Morning Breath: Bad breath in the morning is very common. Saliva production nearly stops during sleep, allowing bacteria to grow, causing bad breath or mouth odor.
Also Long periods of speaking, smoking, drinking alcohol, and snoring are a few common underlying causes. Most people experience foul breath in the morning due to lack of saliva production while they sleep. For healthy individuals, food odors are temporary and normal salivary flow will eliminate them.
Pregnancy: Being pregnant in itself does not cause bad breath, but the nausea and morning sickness common during pregnancy may cause bad breath. In addition, hormonal change, dehydration, and eating different foods due to cravings may also contribute to bad breath during pregnancy.thin several minutes.
Symptoms of mouth odour:
1. Unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste,
2. Dry mouth,
3. Coating on the tongue
Treatment of mouth odour
1. Brush and floss teeth regularly. Remember to brush the tongue, too. This can help with bad breath caused by foods a person has eaten.
2. Try and See a dentist regularly to ensure dentures or braces are properly fitted and cleaned.
3. Quit smoking or using chewing tobacco.
4. Keep the mouth moist by drinking water and chewing sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy to stimulate the production of saliva. Mouthwash may temporarily mask bad breath odors, but it may not treat the underlying cause.
Natural remedies to treat bad breath include chewing on mint or parsley. If bad breath is due to a health problem such as a sinus infection, diabetes, acid reflux, etc., it needs to be treated appropriately.
But, If bad breath is a side effect of taking a medication, discuss with a doctor whether there are other options for medication that can be taken. Never stop taking a medication without first consulting your doctor.
Credit: Healinic
