By: Rayyan Jaber
You are at a social event. Everything is running smoothly, until you lean over to tell a friend something and you notice them pull back. They don’t say anything; but then you sense a sudden shift in other people’s positions when you’re around them. More often than not, they are pulling back from your face when you talk or open your mouth. When you get home, you finally realize that it has been your breath all along.
If you’re the type to keep up with dental hygiene (brushing twice a day, flossing, visiting the dentist, etc.) then your bad breath may come as a surprise to you. However, although a primary cause, it is important to know that lack of dental hygiene is NOT the only factor leading to bad breath.
Many people suffer from halitosis, or bad breath, is caused by the accumulation of bacteria in the oral cavity, causing Oral Malodor. This can be caused by both oral and non-oral issues, and may be a sign of an underlying disease or disorder.
Oral problems:
Xerostomia, or dry mouth, often leads to oral malodor. Dry mouth is caused by a decrease in saliva secretions.
Certain medications will also lead to dry mouth, which in turn may be the cause of bad breath.
Periodontal disease, bone loss as a result of a buildup of plaque, will also lead to halitosis. Dentist will refer you to a periodontist, who will then work on removing the harbored plaque and calculus to reduce the effects that periodontitis has on oral malodor.
Certain foods or drinks. According to Colgate Professionals, foods rich in protein, foods high in sugar, acidic foods, and alcoholic beverages are all types of things that will lead to bad breath.
Medical problems: If you are still suffering from bad breath even after checkups with the dentist, then halitosis is more than just bad breath, and it may be due to a medical disorder. Things may be more serious, and one should reach out to a doctor for more information. Possible disorders that lead to halitosis are:
Gastroesophageal reflux, or GERD,
Eating disorders.
Pneumonia, which is caused by inflamed lungs. Buildup of pus from this can lead to constant coughing which impacts breath odor.
Kidney Disease ranging from mild to severe, impact oral odor due to the inability of the kidneys to filter out the minerals in the blood.
Diabetes. Diabetics often have halitosis due to the buildup of ketones in their body.
Liver Disease. Excess ammonia in the body due to impaired liver functioning leads to malodors of the breath.
Whatever the underlying cause of an individual’s oral malodor may be, it should be treated at first “sniff”. Be sure to ask your dentist first to rule out any periodontal disease. If they believe it may be something more serious, you should contact your physician. Inform your doctor of any medications you may be taking and be thorough about your diet/lifestyle habits.