mouth and dental disorders
Bad Breath
Causes of Bad Breath
Most bad breath is caused by problems in the mouth. Causes that contribute to bad breath are listed in the table. The most common causes of bad breath are Periodontitis None Odor-causing bacteria on the tongue Certain foods and alcoholic beverages Tobacco use Bad breath is most often caused by the action of certain mouth bacteria on food particles in the mouth. These bacteria break down (degrade) the food particles into foul-smelling substances. These bacteria are more common among people with periodontal diseases (such as Gingivitis and Periodontal diseases inflame and destroy the structures surrounding and supporting the teeth, such as the gums and the outer layer of the tooth root, and are caused mainly by an accumulation of certain bacteria. These bacteria grow in deep pockets that surround the teeth. Such bacteria can also grow on the back of the tongue, even in people who do not have periodontal disease. These bacteria can also overgrow due to a decrease in the flow of saliva (caused by some diseases or the use of certain medications—see Dry Mouth ) or a decrease in the acidity of saliva. After digestion, odors caused by certain foods or spices, such as onions orgarlic, pass from the bloodstream into the lungs. The odors are then exhaled and may be unpleasant to others. For example, the odor ofgarliccan be smelled on the breath by others 2 or 3 hours after it is eaten, long after it is gone from the mouth and stomach. Oral hygiene cannot remove these odors. Bad breath is more common among people who smoke than people who do not smoke. Less common causes of bad breath include Infections in the sinuses ( Sinusitis ) or lungs Nasopharyngeal Cancer (see also Objects in the Nose (typically in children) Imagined halitosis (psychogenic halitosis) Although people commonly think that gastrointestinal disorders cause bad breath, they rarely do because the muscular channel that connects the throat with the stomach (esophagus) is normally collapsed. Bad breath is not caused by poor digestion, nor does it indicate how a person’s digestive system or bowels are functioning. However, rarely, a pouch in the esophagus ( Zenker diverticula (pharyngeal diverticula) ), present at birth in some people, can collect food particles. The food particles can decompose and create a foul odor. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and stomach cancer also can cause bad breath. Bad breath that is imagined is called psychogenic halitosis (pseudohalitosis). People believe that their breath smells bad when it actually does not. This problem may occur in people who tend to exaggerate normal body sensations or in people who have a serious mental disorder, such as Schizophrenia . Some people with obsessive thoughts have an overwhelming sense of feeling dirty and believe that their breath smells bad. 