Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can be a very overwhelming and embarrassing situation for many. It isn’t a surprise when we see multiple mints, gums and mouthwashes that fight bad breath stacked on the shelves of grocery stores. Unfortunately, most of these products are only a temporary relief and do not address the cause of the problem.
Some foods, health conditions, and habits can cause bad breath. In most cases, bad breath can be improved with proper maintenance of dental hygiene. If self-care does not help, you can see your dentist in Lahore, so they can evaluate the root cause.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath mostly starts in your mouth. Here are some of the possible causes of bad breath
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Food Impaction
When food breaks down while eating, the particles in and around your teeth can cause foul odor. Certain foods, for example, onions, garlic, and spices can cause bad breath. After these foods are digested, they enter your bloodstream and are carried out into your lungs, affecting your breath.
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Products Containing Tobacco
Smoking itself can cause mouth odor that is unpleasant. People who use oral tobacco and smoke are likely to suffer from gum diseases, which is another source of bad breath.
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Bad Dental Hygiene
It is necessary that every individual maintains their dental hygiene. When you don’t brush or floss every day, there is impaction of food particles, which causes bad breath. This eventually leads to the formation of a colorless and sticky layer of plaque on and in between your teeth. If it isn’t brushed right away, it can irritate the gums, forming pockets between your gums and teeth. Moreover, the tongue can also trap bacteria and produce bad odor. Dentures that aren’t cleaned properly can enable the growth of odor causing bacteria. It is necessary to visit your dentist in Islamabad regularly for scaling, to prevent impacted food or plaque from turning into calculus.
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Xerostomia
Saliva helps in cleansing your mouth and removes particles that can cause bad breath. Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, can contribute to bad breath. This happens because the production of saliva is less than normal or decreased. Dry mouth occurs during sleep, naturally, which can lead to morning breath. It worsens when you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth is usually due to an underlying problem, for example in your salivary glands or some diseases.
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Medicines
Some medicines can produce bad breath indirectly because they contribute towards dry mouth. Other medicines can be broken down in the body and release chemicals, which are carried into the breath.
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Mouth Infections
Surgical wounds after an oral surgery, for example, tooth removal; gum diseases; tooth decay or mouth sores can cause bad breath.
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Conditions of the Mouth, Nose and Throat
Bad breath can be occasionally due to small stones that form in the tonsils. These are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infection and chronic inflammation in the sinuses, nose or throat can contribute to postnasal drip, also causing bad breath.
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Other Causes
Cancers and metabolic disorders can cause a distinctive odor in your breath due to the chemicals produced by these conditions. Chronic GERD and gastroesophageal reflux disease can also be associated with bad breath. Moreover, bad breath in children is caused by pieces of food lodged in the nostril.
