Halitosis, also known medically as oral malodor, is just another name for bad breath. While this is a common occurrence in most adults, it shouldn’t be taken lightly since Halitosis can lead to further medical issues or point them out.
Possible Causes
There are a multitude of causes for halitosis to progress, ranging from not brushing and flossing regularly to what you eat or health conditions. If halitosis isn’t treated correctly, it may lead to further damage to your body.
- Poor Hygiene is one reason for your breath to smell awful. Without proper care, plaque and other bacteria build up around the teeth, mouth, and tongue, which may also lead to further medical issues.
- Vomiting for long periods of time can cause dehydration and dry mouth. This can also lead to your breath smelling like feces.
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) is when the stomach acid flows back up into the esophagus and can cause irritation to the esophageal lining of your throat.
- Ketoacidosis is a complication of the body producing higher than normal amounts of ketones in the blood. This can be found in people diagnosed with diabetes, and it’s considered a medical emergency requiring hospitalization immediately. Symptoms like extreme thirst, nausea and vomiting, dry mouth, high blood sugar levels, and fruity-smelling breath can all be connected to foul odors in the mouth and other symptoms that need direct attention.
How to Keep Your Breath Fresh
Daily cleaning of the teeth, gums, and tongue can all aid in keeping your breath fresh. Three easy ways to maintain a healthy habit of keeping your mouth clean can be remembered in three words: Tongue, Rinse, Sugar.
- Tongue: Cleaning the tongue is an important step in the mouth-washing process. You can brush your tongue with your toothbrush or the built-in scraper on it. Another tool used to keep your tongue clean is a handheld tongue scrapper, which scrapes off any bacteria and plaque left over on your tongue. It’s ideal to get the back of the tongue, since it’s a more common source of the bad odor.
- Rinse: Use of a mouth rinse (mouth wash) will help remove the excess bacteria in the cervices of your mouth to ensure a full clean. Ideal to do once a day while brushing your teeth.
- Sugar: When consuming sugar, the bacteria that reside in your mouth will start to produce acid that causes your breath to stink even more. It’s smart to avoid eating sugary foods in high amounts regularly to help your oral and overall health. It is still safe to consume moderate amounts of sugar, but try not to eat it right before bed. Sweets consumed right before bed can negatively affect your saliva production, leading to a dry mouth overnight and more potent “morning breath.”
What if the smell persists even after maintaining a healthy cleaning routine?
If you feel like the odor is constant or getting worse, it could mean that there are some more mild to major issues going on internally. Some cases of halitosis have led to hints of digestive issues, kidney or liver failure, and even some cancers. It’s best to seek medical attention quickly if symptoms worsen.
Related Article: What is Halitosis?