Bad breath – Diagnosis and treatment

Diagnosis

Your dentist will likely smell both the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose and rate the odor on a scale. Because the back of the tongue is most often the source of the smell, your dentist may also scrape it and rate its odor.

There are sophisticated detectors that can identify the chemicals responsible for bad breath, though these aren’t always available.

Treatment

To reduce bad breath, help avoid cavities and lower your risk of gum disease, consistently practice good oral hygiene. Further treatment for bad breath can vary, depending on the cause. If your bad breath is thought to be caused by an underlying health condition, your dentist will likely refer you to your primary care provider.

For causes related to oral health, your dentist will work with you to help you better control that condition. Dental measures may include:

• Mouth rinses and toothpastes. If your bad breath is due to a buildup of bacteria (plaque) on your teeth, your dentist may recommend a mouth rinse that kills the bacteria. Your dentist may also recommend a toothpaste that contains an antibacterial agent to kill the bacteria that cause plaque buildup.
• Treatment of dental disease. If you have gum disease, you may be referred to a gum specialist (periodontist). Gum disease can cause gums to pull away from your teeth, leaving deep pockets that fill with odor-causing bacteria. Sometimes only professional cleaning removes these bacteria. Your dentist might also recommend replacing faulty tooth restorations, a breeding ground for bacteria.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To reduce or prevent bad breath:

• Brush your teeth after you eat. Keep a toothbrush at work to use after eating. Brush using a fluoride-containing toothpaste at least twice a day, especially after meals. Toothpaste with antibacterial properties has been shown to reduce bad breath odors.
• Floss at least once a day. Proper flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, helping to control bad breath.
• Brush your tongue. Your tongue harbors bacteria, so carefully brushing it may reduce odors. People who have a coated tongue from a significant overgrowth of bacteria (from smoking or dry mouth, for example) may benefit from using a tongue scraper. Or use a toothbrush that has a built-in tongue cleaner.
• Clean dentures or dental appliances. If you wear a bridge or a denture, clean it thoroughly at least once a day or as directed by your dentist. If you have a dental retainer or mouth guard, clean it each time before you put it in your mouth. Your dentist can recommend the best cleaning product.
• Avoid dry mouth. To keep your mouth moist, avoid tobacco and drink plenty of water — not coffee, soft drinks or alcohol, which can lead to a drier mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy (preferably sugarless) to stimulate saliva. For chronic dry mouth, your dentist or physician may prescribe an artificial saliva preparation or an oral medication that stimulates the flow of saliva.
• Adjust your diet. Avoid foods such as onions and garlic that can cause bad breath. Eating a lot of sugary foods is also linked with bad breath.
• Regularly get a new toothbrush. Change your toothbrush when it becomes frayed, about every three to four months, and choose a soft-bristled toothbrush.
• Schedule regular dental checkups. See your dentist on a regular basis — generally twice a year — to have your teeth or dentures examined and cleaned.

Preparing for your appointment

If you’re going to have your bad breath evaluated by your dentist, these tips can help:

• Dentists generally prefer morning appointments for testing bad breath to reduce the chances that foods you eat during the day will hinder the exam.
• Don’t wear perfume, scented lotions, or scented lipstick or lip gloss to your appointment, as these products could mask any odors.
• If you’ve taken antibiotics within the last month, check with your dentist to see if your appointment needs to be rescheduled.

What to expect from your dentist

Your dentist will likely start with an evaluation of your medical history, asking questions such as:

• When did you first begin to experience bad breath?
• Is your bad breath occasional or continuous?
• How often do you brush your teeth or clean your dentures?
• How often do you floss?
• What kinds of foods do you eat most often?
• What medications and supplements do you take?
• What health conditions do you have?
• Do you breathe through your mouth?
• Do you snore?
• Do you have allergies or sinus problems?
• What do you suspect might be causing your bad breath?
• Have other people noticed and commented on your bad breath?

Be ready to answer these questions so that you can make the most of your appointment time.

March 10, 2018

Show references

1. Bad breath: Causes and tips for controlling it. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2012;143:1053.
2. Mark AM. Targeting bad breath. The Journal of the American Dental Association. 2015;146:932.
3. What is halitosis? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=H&iid=306&aid=1254. Accessed Jan. 14, 2016.
4. Dry mouth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/oralhealth/topics/drymouth/drymouth.htm. Accessed Jan. 14, 2016.
5. Should I floss? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=f&iid=302&aid=1244. Accessed Jan. 14, 2016.
6. Diagnosing and treating bad breath. Dental Abstracts. 2014;59:203.
7. Tongue scrapers only slightly reduce bad breath. Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.knowyourteeth.com/infobites/abc/article/?abc=t&iid=306&aid=3192. Accessed Jan. 14, 2016.
8. Bollen CML, et al. Halitosis: The multidisciplinary approach. International Journal of Oral Science. 2012;4:55.
9. Salinas TJ (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Feb. 13, 2016.

Could You Have Bad Breath and Not Know It? – Dental Health Center – Everydayhealth.com

Nobody wants to think that he or she has bad breath, medically known as halitosis. But according to Jonathan B. Levine, DMD, an associate professor at the NYU School of Dentistry, more than half of us suffer from it. “Most people do have bad breath and just do not know it,” he says.

Walking around with bad breath is obviously something that most people would prefer to avoid. But before you can cure bad breath, you need to be able to tell if you have it.

Know the Signs of Bad Breath

Actually, Dr. Levine and other dental experts believe there is quite a lot that can be done about bad breath, and most of the tips to halt halitosis are quite simple. It all starts with looking out for the subtle (and not-so-subtle) signs of bad breath:

• You sleep with your mouth open. According to Levine, sleeping with your mouth open is a surefire way to dry out your mouth. And a dry mouth will cause halitosis. Often, people who sleep with their mouth open are having trouble breathing through their nose, so addressing any allergy or nasal issues before bed might be a good place to start. You also might find working with a sleep specialist helpful.
• You smoke or chew tobacco. Both of these bad habits also are guaranteed to give you bad breath. “They decrease the amount of saliva in your mouth,” says Levine. “Saliva contains oxygen, which keeps your mouth healthy and fresh.” Here, the answer is obvious: Quit!
• You have a white-coated tongue. This is a predictable sign of bad breath. “That white coating is comprised of sulfur compounds that have risen to the tongue’s surface and cause bad breath,” explains Levine.
• You have gastric reflux. The churning acid produced by gastric reflux is not only uncomfortable but can also lead to bad breath. “Unfortunately, gastric reflux results in bad breath in a way that’s hard to solve,” Levine says. “Ask your doctor about prescribing a medication to get this condition under control.”
• You eat suspect foods. “In the end it’s true: You breathe what you eat,” says Levine. “High-protein foods, coffee, onions and garlic, sugar, acidic foods and drinks, and dairy products all result in worse breath because they create an environment for the bad bacteria to grow. It needs to be balanced with fruits, veggies, and alkalinizing good foods.”
• You take certain prescription or OTC medications. A number of medications can cause dry mouth as a side effect, which in turn can lead to bad breath. In these situations, you can ask your doctor if any alternatives exist to your current medications, prescription or over-the-counter, that might help with the problem.

How to Tell If You Have Bad Breath

Now that you know the signs, there’s a simple trick to test your breath for yourself. “Take a minute and try this easy Bad Breath Self Awareness Test,” suggests Levine. “Wipe the surface of your mouth with a piece of cotton gauze and smell that. If you notice a yellowish stain on the cotton, that’s a likely sign that you have an elevated sulfide production level. Now, lick the back of your hand. Let it dry for about 10 seconds, then smell. If you notice an odor, you have a breath disorder because the sulfur salts from your tongue have been transferred to your hand.”

Another approach is to get an unbiased opinion. “Ask someone you trust who will give you an honest answer,” says Dan Marut, DMD, a dentist based in Ashland, Ore., who’s the president and founder of Quality Dental Plan. “You can always ask a dental professional as well. Many times people are embarrassed to ask, and others are afraid to tell them. Your mouth is a very personal space — talking about it is not always easy.”

They Help You Smile, Now Help Them Smile. Is your dentist one of America’s TOP dentists? Nominate your favorite dentist now.

Do I Have Bad Breath? A New Sensor Will Check

July 29, 2021 — Sometimes it’s hard to tell if you have bad breath, and asking someone to check if it’s fresh can be embarrassing. But thanks to science, there may soon be an easier way to find out.

Researchers are now working on a sensor to detect hydrogen sulfide, the gas that makes breath stink. Bad breath can happen sometimes, or it can be a chronic condition known as halitosis. It can be caused by foods, poor oral hygiene, diseases, or other things. The issue has inspired a set of complex experiments designed to detect the odor-causing gas without using the human sense of smell.

Now, researchers have developed a small sensor that can do just that.

The team — led by Il-Doo Kim, PhD, from the Advanced Institute of Science and Technology in South Korea — subjected a solution of metal salt, sodium chloride, platinum metal nanoparticles, and tungsten, a rare metal, to a manufacturing technique called electrospinning, producing tiny fibers.

Previous studies have shown that when metal oxides react with sulfur-containing gases, they have electrical changes that can be measured. So, the researchers heated their nanofibers, causing the tungsten to oxidize.

The nanofibers had the biggest reaction to hydrogen sulfide when their solution contained equal amounts of platinum and tungsten. The researchers tested a couple of other sulfur-containing gases, such as dimethyl sulfide and methyl mercaptan, but their fibers were most susceptible to hydrogen sulfide.

A Tiny Prototype

A prototype to detect bad breath combines nanofiber-coated gold electrodes with sensors that detect gas, humidity, temperature, and pressure. It correctly identifies bad breath from exhaled air, without any special collection or filtering equipment, 86% of the time.

A small device could be produced for a quick and easy self-diagnosis of bad breath, the researchers say.

Until then, the best way to prevent foul-smelling breath is to avoid culprit foods and tobacco, and to brush and floss often. Scrape your tongue, rinse your mouth, and consider chewing sugarless gum to keep the mouth moist and fresh.

Halitosis (Bad Breath) | Johns Hopkins Medicine

What is halitosis?

Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad smelling breath. In most cases, finding the cause of the bad breath is the first step toward treating this preventable condition.

What causes bad breath?

There are many causes of bad breath, just as there are many sources of bacteria in the mouth. Halitosis may be caused by the following:

• Certain foods. The things you eat are linked to your oral health, including your breath. Items such as garlic and onions, or any food, are absorbed into the bloodstream. Until that food leaves the body, it has the potential to affect your breath.

• Poor oral health care. Without correct and regular brushing and flossing, and routine dental exams, food remains in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria. Food that collects on the teeth, gums, and tongue may rot. This causes an unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.

• Improper cleaning of dentures. Dentures that are not cleaned correctly may be collecting bacteria, fungi, and remaining food particles, which cause bad breath.

• Odor-causing bacteria on the tongue. Certain bacteria on the back of the tongue can interact with amino acids in foods and produce smelly sulfur compounds.

• Periodontal disease. One of the main symptoms of this gum disease is bad-smelling breath, and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This condition needs immediate care by an oral health professional.

• Dry mouth (Xerostomia). This condition is often a key part of halitosis. When there is a major decrease in saliva production, the mouth can’t cleanse itself and remove debris and particles left behind by food. Dry mouth may be caused by certain medicines, a salivary gland disorder, or by always breathing through the mouth instead of the nose.

• Tobacco products. Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless tobacco, and snuff stain the teeth and put the body at risk for a host of diseases. But they also help cause bad breath. Tobacco users also are at higher risk for the following:

  • Periodontal disease

  • Loss of ability to taste

  • Irritated gums

  • Oral cancer

What are the symptoms of halitosis?

The main symptom of halitosis is a bad odor from the mouth that is considered beyond a socially acceptable level. The odor can be worse in the morning or after smoking, drinking coffee, or eating certain foods such as garlic.

How is halitosis diagnosed?

Dentists often diagnose halitosis. The diagnosis is based on the person’s history and mouth odor during the dental exam. The entire mouth is checked to see if a cause can be found, such as an infection If the dentist can’t find the cause, he or she will refer you to an appropriate specialist, such as a doctor.

What is the treatment for halitosis?

Treatment depends mainly on the cause of the condition, including:

Cause	Possible treatment
Poor oral health care	If the bad breath is due to improper oral healthcare, in most cases your dentist will treat the cause of the problem.
Gum disease	If the cause is an underlying gum disease, the condition may be treated by your dentist. Or you may be referred to an oral specialist–in most cases, a periodontist. A periodontal cleaning often helps to remove the bacteria and tartar or plaque that has built up and is causing inflammation at the gumline.
Extensive plaque buildup	Your dentist or periodontist may recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse. Also, you may be told to brush your tongue gently each time you brush your teeth to help remove odor-causing bacteria.
Health Condition	Diagnosis and treatment of an existing health condition may get rid of the bad breath.

How can I prevent halitosis?

Halitosis can be prevented or decreased if you:

• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.

• Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth.  Most bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. , So brushing or scraping the tongue can make a big difference in your breath.

• If you have dentures, take them out at night and clean them completely before putting them back in your mouth. Talk with your dentist before using deodorizing sprays or tablets. Some only mask the odor for a short time.

• If you smoke, quit. You will have better smelling breath, and a healthier body overall.

• Keep your saliva flowing by eating healthy foods that make you chew. Carrots and apples require a lot of saliva. You can also chew sugar-free gum or suck on sugar-free candies. If you still don’t have enough saliva to keep your mouth moist, your dentist may suggest artificial saliva.

• Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Regular check-ups can find problems such as gum disease, infections, and dry mouth. If you have bad breath and the dentist can’t find a cause, you may be referred to your primary healthcare provider for more follow-up.

How to tell if you have bad breath. 6 self-tests for halitosis.

– Having breath odor is bad enough but not knowing that you do is even worse.  6 ways to self-test for breath odor – This page outlines 6 methods you can use to objectively smell your own breath, and then judge how offensive it really is.

Ways to tell if you have bad breath. – Self-testing

The challenge – Evaluating the odor of your own breath can be difficult.

Odors from your mouth escape to your nose, thus desensitizing its ability to detect them.

While knowing if we have mouth odor is something that’s important to all of us, the way our bodies are set up makes it difficult to smell, and then judge, the quality of our own breath. Here’s why:

Why can’t you smell your own breath?

• A person’s mouth is connected to their nasal cavity via an opening behind their soft palate (see picture). And this connection provides a direct passageway for smells that originate in the mouth straight up to their nose.
• But due to a process termed “adaptation,” a person’s sense of smell becomes accustomed to odors that are constantly present. And after a while, they simply aren’t noticed anymore.

• That means it’s quite possible, and even likely, that a person who has halitosis simply doesn’t know it, because they literally can no longer smell their own breath odors.

So with self-testing, the objective is to figure out a way around this conundrum.

▼ Reference sources for the self-testing methods outlined below. – Aydin, Schumacher, Aylikci, Winkel

How to tell if you have bad breath –

Self-testing: Ways to accurately smell and judge your own breath odor.

The solution that’s needed for self-testing is to devise a way where you can evaluate your breath indirectly. You need to transfer its odor to another object, and then smell it. Here are some ways that you can do that:

The tip of the tongue is fairly self-cleansing.

Test #1 – The wrist test.

• With this evaluation, you start off by first licking your wrist with your tongue.
• You then need to wait about 5 to 10 seconds so the saliva dries a little.
• Now, smell your wrist from a distance of about an inch or so.

What did you find out?

Did you find the smell very objectionable? Did your breath pass this first test?

Interpreting your findings.

While this test is a reflection of the way that your mouth smells, more precisely it’s an evaluation of the odor associated with the tip end of your tongue. (Its “anterior” portion, the part that extends out of your mouth when you lick something.)

And that’s the catch with this test. What you determine may not be totally accurate because the anterior portion of the tongue is relatively self-cleansing. Here’s why. And as a result, it may under-report cases of halitosis. But if you do get a stinky smell, take heed.

The back part of the tongue usually harbors debris that is the primary cause of bad breath.

Test #2 – The spoon test.

Now, try this second experiment. It will check the odor coming from the back portion of your tongue (its “posterior” region).

This part of the tongue isn’t as self-cleansing. And it’s usually the region of the mouth from which a person’s breath odors really originate.

The “spoon” self-test for bad breath.

• Select a small spoon from your silverware drawer.
• Turn it upside down, place it at the very back of your tongue and then draw it forward.
• Be deliberate but gentle. (Don’t be surprised if this test triggers your gag reflex a little bit.)
• Now, smell-test and evaluate the goo your spoon has scraped off because this is precisely what your breath smells like to others.

Smelly debris scraped off the back part of a person’s tongue.

Color.

Take a good look at the gunk. In some cases, it may be just a clear runny liquid. But for a lot of people, they’ll find it’s a thick whitish, yellow or even brown goo (see picture).

And generally speaking, the darker the color and thicker the gunk, the more likely it is that you’re going to discover that you have breath odor too.

Smell.

Now, go ahead and take a whiff of the stuff. What do you think? Is its smell not so bad, or instead pretty nasty?

Taking the test one step further.

If you want to get an even better idea of what the goo you’ve scraped off of the back part of your tongue smells like, do the following:

The baggie test – Dump the scrapings inside a baggie, close it up, and then put it somewhere warm (around body temperature is good). For example, you might place it in a location that has strong sunlight shining on it.

After about 10 to 15 minutes of warming it up, open the baggie and take a whiff. The odor from the scrapings should be amplified several levels by the treatment.

Hopefully what you find won’t be too bad. But don’t be too surprised if you find out differently. The spoon test with baggie-treatment amplification is a pretty good evaluation.

So now you know, that’s what you smell like to others.

It’s this odor, as opposed to the sampling from the anterior portion of your tongue in test #1, that’s probably the way your breath smells to other people. And if you haven’t been cleaning the back portion of your tongue, it’s probably pretty foul.

(FYI: The 3 places in a person’s mouth most likely to be the origin of their bad breath. Locations.)

By the way, now you also know why you have bad breath.

It just so happens that this second test reveals why most people have breath odor. The most common underlying cause of halitosis is the whitish coating that covers the surface of the posterior portion of a person’s tongue.

(Hint: Why tongue cleaning How to. is the only bad breath cure that most people need.)

Other ways to smell and self-check your breath.

The remainder of this page explains some additional self-testing methods that you can use to evaluate the quality of your breath.

Similar to the ones above, the goal of their protocol is to create a specimen from your mouth that can then be reintroduced to your nose as a (fresh, new, independent) sample that will therefore be judged relatively objectively by it.

(FYI: Beyond smell testing, here’s our page that covers halitosis testing devices. Breath checkers, detectors, sensors, strips.

a) The gauze test.

Here’s a variation on the way you can run the spoon test described above. It’s not better, just different. Dentists sometimes use this method in their office.

• Get a 2 by 2 inch square of medical gauze, the kind used for bandages.

  [You should be able to find it at any pharmacy. Get just normal gauze (it looks and feels like very loosely woven cloth), not the ouch-less, non-stick variety. Anything larger than 2 by 2 inches is fine too, just cut it down so it fits in your mouth.]

• Stick your tongue out and look for any coating on it. Expect it to be on the furthest back portion.
• Take the gauze, and starting from the rear and working forward, wipe the surface of your tongue where the buildup is heaviest a couple of times.

Inspect the gauze.

Once you’re done, take a look at, and smell, the gunk you’ve wiped off.

Whatever the results (good or bad), that’s pretty much how your breath smells to others.

b) The airbag test.

An obvious way of self-testing is to simply exhale into an odorless plastic bag, and then smelling what’s there. This method is sometimes used in scientific studies.

• In practice, one difficulty involved is finding a truly odorless bag. A gallon-sized food storage bag is an option.
• Another obstacle is that with each of the above tests, some of the debris from which the malodor emanates is included in the sample, thus helping to perpetuate its smell.

  And as described in our baggie test above, allowing this kind of sample to incubate at body temperature for some minutes can help to accentuate its odor so it is more easily identified.

  In comparison, samples of expired breath have been shown to contain very few microorganisms. So a bag containing just the gases may be more difficult to evaluate.

▲ Section references – Winkel

c) The floss test.

This evaluation is different from the other self-testing methods outlined on this page. And as such, it can be a very valuable source of information.

It tests for bad breath whose point of origin is from between your teeth. (FYI: This is the second most likely source of bad breath. Statistics. And an especially common one with older individuals.)

Other important pages –

How to perform the test.

• Dispense a new piece of dental floss for flossing your teeth.
• A length of unwaxed floss generally makes the best choice. Its loose individual strands will be the most effective in trapping debris.

  As an alternative, other types of floss can work. Although, due to their solid, one-piece nature (this includes stranded waxed floss), they’ll tend to trap less debris.

  Also, whatever type of floss you do choose, make sure it is an unflavored kind.

• Use the floss to floss your teeth. Between your back teeth will probably tend to be the most fertile ground for detecting breath odors.

  The flossing technique you use is important. How to. (The emphasis here is to floss subgingivally, which means to let the floss slide below the gum line as you clean.)

• Remove the floss and smell it from a distance of about an inch. (Especially make sure to smell any section that still retains a glob of debris.)

A tried and true way to tell if you have bad breath.

Get someone else’s opinion.

Another way to check your breath is an obvious one. Just ask someone else what they think.

Actually, this makes a very good plan and is generally regarded as a reliable way to confirm a chronic breath problem. That’s because, as we described above, the human nose tends to ignore persistent odors, and even when doing testing like we describe above, it’s still sometimes hard for us to smell ourselves.

Another good reason.

Beyond just not being able to detect our own malodor, there’s another reason why getting an opinion from someone else can be important.

There’s a bad breath classification termed pseudo-halitosis where the person suffering from it is under the impression that they have a breath problem but really don’t. Or at least not to the extent they think they do. (FYI: Classifying halitosis cases. Categories.)

So in cases such as these, asking someone else what they think can be very valuable in helping to lay to rest mistaken impressions and fears.

Who makes a good person to ask?

• Obviously, if you have a significant other, they make a good candidate.
• You might ask your dentist or hygienist at your next appointment. After all, evaluating the status of your oral health is their job.
• If that’s too personal for you, try asking a kid. Sometimes the least inhibited and most honest answers come from young children.

Our next page discusses the odors associated with bad breath. Sources / Locations After all, until you know where your halitosis originates, you won’t be able to cure it.

If instead you’re interested in learning about the scientific side of evaluating halitosis, we have pages that explain:

div class=”nav-pgn-bot clear”> 

How can I tell if I have bad breath? Lots of small signs can show that you have bad breath.

How can I tell if I have bad breath?

Here’s a great article by Oral Health Foundation

Lots of small signs can show that you have bad breath. Have you noticed people stepping away from you when you start to talk? Do people turn their cheek when you kiss them goodbye?

If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff – if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too.

Or, ask a very good friend to be absolutely honest with you; but do make sure they are a true friend.

What else causes bad breath?

Bad breath can also be caused by some medical problems. ‘Dry mouth’ (xerostomia) is a condition that means your mouth produces less saliva. This causes bacteria to build up in your mouth and this leads to bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by some medicines, by salivary gland problems or by continually breathing through your mouth instead of your nose. Older people may produce less saliva, causing further problems.

If you suffer from dry mouth, your dental team may be able to recommend or prescribe an artificial saliva product. Or they may be able to suggest other ways of dealing with the problem.

Can other medical conditions cause bad breath?

Other medical conditions that cause bad breath include infections in the throat, nose or lungs; sinusitis; bronchitis; diabetes; or liver or kidney problems. If your dentist finds that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family GP or a specialist to find out the cause of your bad breath.

Can smoking cause bad breath?

Yes. Tobacco causes its own type of bad breath. The only answer in this case is to stop smoking. As well as making your breath smell, smoking causes staining and loss of taste, and irritates the gums. People who smoke are more likely to suffer from gum disease and also have a greater risk of developing cancer of the mouth, lung cancer and heart disease. Ask your dentist, pharmacist or healthcare professional for help with stopping smoking. If you do stop smoking, but still have bad breath, then you need to see your dental team or doctor for advice.

How can my dentist help?

If you do have bad breath, you will need to start a routine for keeping your mouth clean and fresh. Regular check-ups will allow your dentist to watch out for any places where plaque is caught between your teeth. Your dental team will be able to clean all those areas that are difficult to reach. They will also be able to show you the best way to clean your teeth and gums, and show you any areas you may be missing, including your tongue.

Can I prevent bad breath?

To keep your breath fresh, you must get rid of any gum disease, and keep your mouth clean and fresh. If you do have bad breath, try keeping a diary of all the foods you eat and list any medicines you are taking. Take this diary to your dentist, who may be able to suggest ways to solve the problem.

Brush your teeth and gums last thing at night and at least one other time during the day, with a fluoride toothpaste. Don’t forget to brush your tongue as well, or use a tongue scraper. Cut down on how often you have sugary food and drinks.

• Visit your dental team regularly, as often as they recommend.

• Clean in between your teeth with ‘interdental’ brushes or floss at least once a day – brushing alone only cleans up to about 60 percent of the surface of your teeth. There are other products you can buy to clean between your teeth.
• Use a mouthwash – some contain antibacterial agents that could kill bacteria that make your breath smell unpleasant.

If you continue to suffer from bad breath visit your dental team to make sure that the mouthwash is not covering up a more serious underlying problem. Chew sugar-free gum – it helps your mouth produce saliva and stops it drying out. A dry mouth can lead to bad breath.

Will mouthwash help?

You should not use a mouthwash just to disguise bad breath. So if you find that you are using a mouthwash all the time, talk to your dental team. There are many mouthwashes that are specially formulated to help prevent bad breath and gum disease. Some mouthwashes that contain chlorhexidine, and are recommended for gum disease, can cause tooth staining if you use them for a long time. It is important to read the manufacturer’s instructions or ask how to use them.

How can I prevent bad breath if I wear dentures?

It is just as important to clean dentures as it is to clean your natural teeth. Bits of food can become caught around the edges of dentures and clasps, and the food can rot if you do not clean them thoroughly.

You should keep a separate toothbrush for cleaning your dentures. The general rule is: brush, soak and brush again. Clean your dentures over a bowl of water in case you drop them. Brush your dentures before soaking them, to help remove any bits of food. Soak the dentures in a specialist cleaner for a short time and then brush the dentures again. Brush them like you would brush your natural teeth. Make sure you clean all the surfaces of the dentures, including the surface which fits against your gums. If you notice a build-up of stains or scale, have your dentures cleaned by your dental team. Most dentists still recommend a small- to medium-head toothbrush, or a specialised denture brush if you can get one.

How can I tell someone they have bad breath?

We probably all know someone who has bad breath, but very few people feel brave enough to discuss the problem. It is obviously a very delicate matter to tell someone they have bad breath. There is always the risk that they will be offended or embarrassed and may never speak to you again! However, it is always worth remembering that the bad breath may be caused by any number of problems. Once the person knows they have bad breath, they can deal with whatever is causing it. You could try talking to their partner or a family member, as the bad breath may be caused by a medical condition which is already being treated.

You may like to leave this leaflet where the person is likely to see it.

www.deancosmeticdentistry.com 865-539-1119
New Patients Welcome
*No Insurance?  No Problem ask us about A Plan For Health
*Cerec -One Appointment Crowns
“Over 25 years of great relationships.” 🙂😆

Bad Breath (Halitosis) | Cedars-Sinai

What is halitosis?

Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad
smelling breath. In most cases, finding the cause of the bad breath is the first
step toward treating this preventable condition.

What causes bad breath?

There are many causes of bad breath, just as there are many
sources of bacteria in the mouth. Halitosis may be caused by the following.

Certain foods

The things you eat are linked to your oral health, including
your breath. Items such as garlic and onions, or any food, are absorbed into the
bloodstream. Until that food leaves the body, it may affect your breath.

Poor oral health care

Without correct and regular brushing and flossing, and routine
dental exams, food stays in the mouth. This is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Food that collects on the teeth, gums, and tongue may rot. This causes an
unpleasant odor and taste in the mouth.

Incorrect cleaning of dentures

Dentures that are not cleaned correctly may be collecting
bacteria, fungi, and remaining food particles. All of these cause bad
breath.

Odor-causing bacteria on the tongue

Certain bacteria on the back of the tongue can interact with
amino acids in foods and make smelly sulfur compounds.

Gum (periodontal) disease

One of the main symptoms of this gum disease is bad-smelling
breath and an unpleasant taste in the mouth. This condition needs care right
away by an oral health provider.

Dry mouth (xerostomia)

This condition is often a key part of halitosis. When your
mouth doesn’t make enough saliva, your mouth can’t clean itself. It can’t remove
debris and particles left behind by food. Dry mouth may be caused by certain
medicines. It may also be caused by a salivary gland problem or by always
breathing through the mouth instead of the nose.

Tobacco products

Tobacco products such as cigarettes, cigars, smokeless
tobacco, and snuff stain the teeth and put the body at risk for many diseases.
But they also help cause bad breath. Tobacco users also are at higher risk
for:

• Gum disease
• Loss of ability to taste
• Irritated gums
• Oral cancer

A health condition

Bad breath may be a symptom of any of the following
conditions. See your healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

• Respiratory infection
• Infection of the nose, windpipe, or lungs
• Chronic bronchitis
• Postnasal drip
• Chronic sinusitis
• Diabetes
• Digestive disorder
• Liver or kidney disorder

What are the symptoms of halitosis?

The main symptom of halitosis is a bad odor from the mouth that is
beyond a socially acceptable level. The odor can be worse in the morning or after
smoking, drinking coffee, or eating certain foods such as garlic.

How is halitosis diagnosed?

Dentists usually diagnose bad breath. The diagnosis is based on
your health history and mouth odor during the dental exam. The entire mouth is
checked to see if a cause can be found, such as an infection. If the dentist can’t
find the cause, they will refer you to your primary healthcare provider.

How is halitosis treated?

Treatment depends mainly on the cause of the condition.

What can I do to prevent halitosis?

Halitosis can be prevented or decreased if you:

• Brush and floss your teeth at least twice a day.
• Brush your tongue, cheeks, and the roof of your mouth. Most
  bad breath bacteria live on the tongue. So brushing or scraping the tongue can
  make a big difference in your breath.
• If you have dentures, take them out at night. Clean them
  completely before putting them back in your mouth. Talk with your dentist before
  using deodorizing sprays or tablets. Some only mask the odor for a short
  time.
• If you smoke, quit. You will have better smelling breath and
  a healthier body overall.
• Keep your saliva flowing by eating healthy foods that make
  you chew. Carrots and apples need a lot of saliva. You can also chew sugar-free
  gum or suck on sugar-free candies. If you still don’t have enough saliva to keep
  your mouth moist, your dentist may suggest artificial saliva.
• Visit your dentist on a regular basis. Regular checkups can
  find problems such as gum disease, infections, and dry mouth. If you have bad
  breath and the dentist can’t find a cause, you may be referred to your primary
  healthcare provider for more follow-up.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare
provider:

• Know the reason for your visit and what you want to
  happen.
• Before your visit, write down questions you want
  answered.
• Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and
  remember what your provider tells you.
• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and
  any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions
  your provider gives you.
• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how
  it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.
• Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways.
• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the
  results could mean.
• Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have
  the test or procedure.
• If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date,
  time, and purpose for that visit.
• Know how you can contact your provider if you have
  questions.

© 2000-2021 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.

90,000 looking for reasons – dentistry President

The annual turnover of funds to combat bad breath is about 4 billion dollars. A colossal turnover, isn’t it? And there is an explanation for this. According to American observations, 80% of those surveyed believe that they have a bad breath. At the same time, there can be many real reasons: from dental problems to diseases of internal organs.

Content

How to diagnose halitosis?

There are many factors that influence the development of an unpleasant odor.These are human diseases, and the habit of smoking, and improper oral hygiene, and taking medications. Sometimes even the use of certain toothpastes and rinses will cause the stench.

To correctly diagnose the source of halitosis, the dentist sometimes has to conduct a whole investigation with a thorough study of the medical history.

Important! Don’t neglect visiting the dentist. Often only a specialist can determine the problem of bad breath.

A number of simple measures help to determine the source of the odor. You can do the following on your own:

1. Use dental floss to clean the gaps between the teeth and check the floss smell after 1 minute.
2. Remove plaque from the back of the tongue with a sanitary napkin. Check her scent after 45-60 seconds.

More advanced diagnostic tools are available to the dentist, such as:

1. Galimeter. Using this device, the doctor not only determines the presence or absence of a smell, but also its intensity.The unit is convenient for tracking the treatment process: whether the prescribed funds give the desired result.
2. Microbiological examination. An analysis taken from the oral cavity allows you to establish the cause of the problem as accurately as possible, namely, to identify the bacteria that influenced the formation of fetid fumes. The value of this method is difficult to overestimate, because the analysis allows you to determine diseases not only in the oral cavity, but also in the depths of the body.

How to quickly get rid of bad breath?

Despite a wide selection of products, these are truly effective units.Oxidative non-alcoholic mouthwashes are the best. Oxygen agents destroy anaerobic bacteria, which multiply and give off an unpleasant odor. Oxidative antibacterial compounds have a double effect.

Toothpastes also help fight bad breath. Choose those that release free oxygen when you brush your teeth. As a rule, these are pastes containing carbamide peroxide compounds in the composition.

An important role is played by the toothbrush itself, or rather that part of it, which is responsible for the hygiene of the tongue. The embossed scraper on the back of the head will help to promptly remove “aromatic” bacteria from the tongue. Scrapers and mini tongue brushes are also sold separately. They are recommended for people with an increased gag reflex, because do not touch the sky.

Dental aligners for the treatment of bad breath

A new technology in the treatment of unpleasant odor is the use of elongated plastic trays filled with oxygen gel.The principle of the mouthguards is simple: the gel penetrates the gums, palate, gets on the tongue and kills harmful bacteria. The most effective is a gel containing carbamide peroxide.

You can wear a mouthguard at any time, depending on the frequency of the appearance of the odor. If you feel uncomfortable in the morning, wear a mouthguard at night. The problem arises during the day: wear a mouthguard in the morning and evening for half an hour.

The average duration of treatment is 2 weeks. After completing the course, you must visit the dentist to re-evaluate the situation.After completing a set of procedures, a rinse solution may be prescribed.

See also

Popular materials

How to avoid bad breath – | Blog

Bad breath is a problem both for the “carrier” and for those around him. Researchers say that every fourth person faces this disaster (scientifically – halitosis). Therefore, there are many methods for eliminating the problem, and we can only choose and apply the appropriate one.

Source of problem

An unpleasant odor is a symptom of diseases localized in:

• oral cavity;

90,021 upper respiratory tract;

• organs of the digestive tract.

In addition, malfunctions of the endocrine system, such as diabetes mellitus, can lead to halitosis. Correct diagnosis and treatment of the underlying disease will allow a person to get rid of the annoying smell.

Causes of bad breath: list of diseases

The following diseases can cause bad breath:

• oral cavity – gingivitis, periodontitis.Large amounts of bacteria and their waste products cause inflammation of the gums. This is accompanied by an unpleasant odor. When a lot of teeth are damaged by caries or are missing, this also does not give fresh breath.
• upper respiratory tract – tonsillitis, tonsillitis, pharyngitis, rhinitis.
• Gastrointestinal tract :
  1. Gastritis, stomach ulcer. When the stomach lining is broken, an unpleasant odor is inevitable.
  2. Diseases of the liver, gallbladder, duodenum.Disruption of food digestion leads to the release of foul-smelling gases, which affect the freshness of the breath.
  3. Low carbohydrate diet. During the active breakdown of fats, ketones are released, which are excreted during respiration.

In order to quickly and efficiently cure diseases of the oral cavity, you need to find a good periodontologist. Our clinic employs only highly qualified specialists who will be happy to help you.

How to quickly get rid of bad breath

If you have been undergoing treatment for a long time, but you cannot postpone a date or an important meeting, the following will help you quickly remove an unpleasant odor:

• apple or yogurt . These products contain substances that neutralize putrefactive bacteria and freshen breath.
• chewing gum . In the process of chewing, salivation is activated, which will temporarily reduce the odor.
• rinse aid .Pharmacy and home remedies can be used (for example, add a tablespoon of baking soda and a few drops of peppermint oil to a glass of warm water).

Alcohol-free mouth freshening spray will also help mask the problem. Alcohol sprays dry out the mucous membranes, so the smell from them will only intensify over time.

What to do if bad breath is a chronic problem

There are two basic conditions for a comfortable life for yourself and those around you:

• Correction of the underlying disease (eg gastroenterological problems).If an unpleasant odor is a symptom of a chronic illness, its appearance indicates an exacerbation.
• thorough oral hygiene . Brush your teeth twice a day, mindful of your tongue. You can clean your tongue with the back of your toothbrush or with a regular teaspoon (gently). Try to use mouthwash after every meal, and if necessary, floss.

In addition, it is recommended to drink a lot and quit smoking, chewing tobacco, and consuming strong-smelling products.

Remember, advertising is the only miracle cure for bad breath. A dentist or other specialized specialist will provide you with real help. Sign up for a consultation right now!

90,000 Top 5 causes of bad breath

Frequent communication with other people is an integral part of modern life. Whereas bad breath can cause “forced silence”.How to avoid becoming an unwilling introvert? And where to look for the cause of the trouble?

1. Poor hygiene and dental diseases

Food residues on teeth and gums serve as food for bacteria in the oral cavity. Volatile compounds (ammonia, hydrogen sulfide and others) become the “waste” of such a diet, a high concentration of which is felt as an unpleasant odor.

In addition, such conditions contribute to the reproduction of pathogenic flora, which:

• firstly, it violates the pH of the oral cavity (due to the waste products of bacteria) and promotes the demineralization of the enamel and the tooth tissue itself;
• and secondly, it increases the concentration of volatile substances in the oral cavity and contributes to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Thus, improper hygiene as well as excess bacteria and signs of inflammation in gum disease, even with good hygiene, can be to blame for the “problem” odor.

In the first case, to eliminate the problem, ordinary hygiene procedures twice a day are enough, as well as the use of rinses after meals during the day. And in the second, the decision obviously requires the participation of the dentist.

2. Dryness of the oral mucosa

This phenomenon often occurs while taking certain medications and is due to insufficient production of saliva.

In this case, the cleansing properties of saliva practically disappear, which contributes to the “accumulation” of food residues in the oral cavity and their “decomposition”, and also significantly “makes life easier” for bacteria.

3. Chronic diseases of the respiratory system

Chronic tonsillitis, pharyngitis, sinusitis are a reliable source of excessive bacterial growth in the oral cavity. Here we are most often talking about staphylococci and streptococci, which have pronounced pathogenic properties.

An unpleasant odor can also appear with purulent diseases of the bronchi and lungs, as well as with tumors at the stage of destruction. In this case, bad breath often becomes putrid, and the cough is accompanied by profuse sputum production.

4. Diseases of the digestive system

“Stomach” odors are more often sour (with normal and high acidity) or “rotten” character (with low acidity), and appear under the following conditions:

• Throwing gastric contents back into the esophagus (reflux),
• narrowing of the gastric outlet (pyloric stenosis),
• the presence of ulcerative and oncological processes in the stomach or duodenum.

The smell can also be associated with liver damage, and then it has a characteristic “liver” tint.

5. Severe metabolic disorders

We are talking primarily about diabetes mellitus and its serious complication – ketoacidosis. Odor from the mouth in which case resembles “acetone”, and the condition itself is fatal.

How to find the cause

1.Confirm the “microbial” origin of bad breath by seeding a swab from the pharynx and nose.The study will not only “show” the quantity and quality of microorganisms, but will also allow you to select an effective antibacterial drug, if necessary.

Culture is also relevant for sputum, if it is separated.

And also, in any case, examination by a dentist and an ENT doctor is recommended.

2. It is rather difficult to check the condition of the stomach and duodenum by laboratory methods, therefore, if you suspect a “gastric” origin of the odor, it is recommended to consult a gastroenterologist and FGDS.

3. The liver is one of the most multifunctional organs, so it is not surprising that many of them are already affected by it at a young age.

You can check the digestive function of an organ using a blood test for liver enzymes (ALT, AST), bilirubin, alkaline phosphatase and gamma-HT, both separately and in the format of the “Liver examination. Base”.

4. A blood test for glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin (the average concentration of “sugar” over the last 3 months) is “called upon” to control the risk of diabetes.

Share article:

Still have questions?

90,000 Interventions to eliminate bad breath

Review question

Using this Cochrane Review, we tried to find the best way to control halitosis, also called halitosis, which occurs in adults due to oral health problems.

Relevance

Bad breath, or halitosis, is caused by too much bacteria or small pieces of food left in the mouth, most often at the back of the tongue. This could be a sign of an oral or other health problem. People with bad breath may have low self-esteem and feel embarrassed. This can affect their personal relationships and work. In this review, we looked at treatments for halitosis caused by oral disease, as well as treatments that aim to not only mask but also control bad breath.

Characteristics of research

This review is current as of 8 April 2019. This review includes 44 studies with 1,809 people aged 17 to 77 years. The review compared one intervention with another intervention, placebo, or control. Eight different ways to combat bad breath were considered: mechanical cleaning (such as using tongue cleaners and toothbrushes), chewing gum, systemic deodorants (such as eating mushroom extract), topical treatments (such as applying a gel) , toothpastes, mouthwash, tablets and a combination of different treatments.

Main results

Evidence was very vague when comparing mechanical tongue cleaning versus no brushing, chewing gum with 0.6% eucalyptus extract and placebo chewing gum, 1000 mg mushroom extract and placebo, hinokytiol gel and placebo gel, 0.3% toothpaste triclosan and control paste, mouthwash containing chlorhexidine and zinc acetate, and placebo rinse, as well as brushing followed by rinsing with cetylpyridium and simply brushing.

Adverse effects of various interventions were not reported or were not significant.

Certainty of evidence

The level of certainty of these results is low or very low. This is mainly due to the risk of bias (bias) and the small number of participants in the included trials.

Conclusions

We do not have enough evidence to conclude which intervention is more effective for controlling halitosis.

How to beat bad breath

What causes bad breath

The most common cause is dry mouth. Due to an insufficient amount of incoming water, the body reduces the production of saliva. The cells of the tongue begin to die off, bacteria intensify their activity, and these processes cause a bad smell.

Bad breath can also cause food residues stuck in the mouth. If you don’t brush your teeth thoroughly enough, the same bacteria build up in your mouth and cause odor.

Another cause of bad breath is the food we eat. We know about garlic, onions and cigarettes that cause bad odors, but that’s only half the problem. Fasting and strict diets can also cause bad breath. The body begins to break down fat stores, releasing ketones, which have this effect.

Do not forget about medical reasons. Kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, and lung infections can also cause bad breath.If you have symptoms of one of these conditions, it is best to see your doctor. However, the most common causes of bad breath can be dealt with on your own.

How to understand if your breath smells

The most unpleasant way is to hear about it from your interlocutor. But this is a critical situation and we are doing our best to avoid it.

Here are some less drastic ways.

• A pink, clean tongue indicates a normal odor, a white coating suggests otherwise.

• If you have a spoon handy, you can run it several times over your tongue, let it dry, and then smell it.

• Lick your wrist, wait a couple of seconds and smell it.

Does not work: put your palms to your mouth with a boat and exhale in them. In most cases, you will not smell an unpleasant smell.

How to get rid of bad breath

Bad news: There is no way to get rid of bad breath once and for all. You eat every day, so you will also have to monitor your oral cavity every day.And here are the main ways to deal with bad breath.

1. Drink plenty of water. A dry environment is more favorable for bacteria, therefore insufficient water will lead to unpleasant odors.

2. Use tongue scrapers. There is no better way than clearing the tongue. It collects the largest number of bacteria – they are the reason for bad breath.

3. Rinse your mouth with a special liquid. It can be found in any supermarket.Measure out the indicated amount of liquid and rinse your mouth with it for 30 seconds. After this, do not eat or smoke for at least 30 minutes.

4. Use dental floss. Lots of bacteria remain between the teeth. The only way to get rid of them is with dental floss.

5. Eat the right food. There are several products that can also help fight bad breath. These are green tea, cinnamon, oranges, berries, apples, celery.

What to use instead of gum

Most experts agree that chewing gum is the most useless way to combat bad odor.Alternatively, chew:

• anise,

• cardamom,

• dill,

• cinnamon sticks (break off a small piece),

• cloves (no more than one bud),

• parsley.

These tips will help you get rid of bad odor if you follow them regularly.

diagnostics, prevention and treatment, causes and symptoms of halitosis

Bad breath, which can become a constant companion of a person, can ruin relationships with others and reduce self-esteem.This condition is called halitosis, or halitosis. It is not an independent disease, but refers to important symptoms of pathologies of the oral cavity and internal organs. You can drown out the stench with mints, spray, or chewing gum, but that won’t fix the problem. We need comprehensive diagnostic measures and subsequent elimination of the causes of halitosis.

Why does an unpleasant odor appear

The oral cavity is the beginning of the digestive tract. It is home to many bacteria, saliva contains enzymes that are able to break down carbohydrates.Therefore, after waking up, all people have a bad breath. But this condition is not considered a pathology, it is enough to brush your teeth for the smell to disappear.

A persistent unpleasant aroma appears after eating dishes with garlic, onions, and some spices. With alcohol abuse, the sour stench persists for a day or more, which is associated with the metabolism of ethyl alcohol in the liver and the release of its vapors through the lungs.

A large number of unpleasant aromas accompany diseases affecting the metabolism.In patients with diabetes mellitus who do not follow a diet or use insulin incorrectly, when ketone bodies accumulate in the blood, the smell of acetone from the mouth appears. People with kidney failure will repel those around them with the unpleasant odor of urea, which the kidneys cannot remove from the body.

Common causes in adults are pathologies of the digestive tract. Halitosis leads:

• gastritis with high acidity;

90,021 stomach ulcers, duodenal ulcers;

• cardiac sphincter insufficiency;
• diverticula of the esophagus;
• malignant tumors of the stomach or esophagus.

Diseases of the respiratory tract can also cause unpleasant odors. Air from the lungs passes through the oropharynx, so it can partially leave the body through the mouth. It smells unpleasant with purulent diseases of the sinuses, chronic rhinitis or tonsillitis.

Dental causes of halitosis

Diseases of the teeth or gums are the first to be suspected in cases of odor from the mouth. Bacteria use food debris in the mouth for their own nutrition.If you brush your teeth incorrectly or completely abandon this procedure, a large amount of plaque accumulates in the mouth. Its rotting causes a repulsive odor. If the plaque is not removed for a long time, dense tartar forms, and the stench persists for a long time.

Caries and tooth decay can also cause bad odor. These are areas where a large number of microbes accumulate. It smells strongly from the mouth in people who do not remove the decayed roots of the teeth in time. The stench can occur when wearing braces, dental plates, dentures, under which food debris accumulates.Any foreign body in the mouth requires additional cleansing.

The production of saliva affects the condition of the oral cavity. In some diseases, it is not liquid enough. Dryness of the mucous membrane of the mouth occurs, self-cleaning processes are disrupted and the reproduction of bacteria is activated. A similar mechanism works in hot weather or when playing sports, if you actively breathe through your mouth.

Smoking also contributes to the appearance of halitosis. The components of tobacco smoke settle on the teeth, combine with a soft plaque.Dry mouth contributes to a change in the composition of saliva and an increase in its viscosity. You can get rid of the smell only by defeating a bad habit.

What do the different types of odor talk about

An unpleasant odor is created by several types of volatile compounds produced by anaerobic bacteria. They use food debris on the tongue, between teeth and in cavities as a breeding ground. Depending on the predominant compound, the character of the smell changes. Some of them suggest the pathology that caused the halitosis:

• sour aroma – stomach ailments, gastritis or ulcers;

90,021 feces, rotten cabbage – pathology of the oral cavity, caries;

• urine odor – renal failure;
• smell of ammonia or rotting apples – diabetes mellitus;
• rot, rotten meat – esophageal diverticulum.

Additional symptoms can be found that will pinpoint the exact cause of halitosis. With stomach pathology, pain between snacks will bother you. Diabetes mellitus is accompanied by profuse urination, dry mouth, and thirst. Caries may not remind of itself for a long time, but with advanced forms, a toothache appears.

Given the variety of causes, doctors of different specialties can deal with the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of halitosis. You need to see a dentist to get rid of dental diseases, but in other cases, you will need to consult an endocrinologist, therapist or nephrologist.

Ways to combat unpleasant odor

It is not always possible to guess on your own that your mouth smelled badly. A person does not perceive an unpleasant aroma, therefore, one can judge its appearance by indirect signs. If you suspect, you can use the edge of a spoon to collect plaque from the tongue and smell it. The state of saliva is judged by licking the wrist and waiting for it to dry.

You can get rid of an unpleasant odor using folk methods. At home, use a decoction of dill, which is used to rinse the mouth.At home, you can prepare an infusion of medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects:

• chamomile;
• oak bark;
• sage;
• mint;

90,021 calendula;

• St. John’s wort.

At home, a decoction is prepared from a mixture of several herbs to increase efficiency. The infusion should be highly concentrated to suppress bacterial growth and to cleanse the mouth.

If halitosis is associated with eating foul-smelling ingredients, parsley or celery root will help get rid of it.They block off offensive odors and chew on the fibrous structure to cleanse the teeth. Compliance with the drinking regimen eliminates halitosis. Clean water cleans the mouth, keeps saliva in a liquid state.

The reason why these methods do not help are pathologies of digestion and metabolism. You can get rid of them at home only under the guidance of a doctor.

Treatment of digestive diseases

If the oral cavity is sanitized, but the smell remains, you need to contact a gastroenterologist.before the treatment of halitosis, an examination will be carried out to find the cause of the disorders. Gastritis and ulcers are associated with unhealthy diet, but inflammation of the stomach lining is supported by Helicobacter bacteria. You need to get rid of them in a comprehensive manner.

For this, the doctor will prescribe the following groups of drugs:

• antacids – to reduce acidity;
• antibiotics – preparations for the destruction of bacteria;
• healing agents – bismuth nitrate or De-nol to restore the mucous membrane.

In the treatment of cardiac sphincter insufficiency, when the opening between the esophagus and the stomach does not close, antacids are also used, supplemented with prokinetics that improve peristalsis. Treatment of digestive diseases is impossible without adherence to a special diet.

How to improve the condition of the oral cavity

Good hygiene helps to get rid of bad breath. If the cause is dense tartar, you need to visit the dentist and remove it mechanically.The toothbrush is powerless in this case.

Any teeth defects need to be cured. Carious cavities are cleaned and filled, decaying roots of teeth are removed. If necessary, prostheses are installed.

To get rid of the smell, you need to change your toothbrush and choose the right paste. The brush should be of medium hardness in order to clean the teeth well and not injure the gums. For better oral hygiene, you can buy a special tongue brush. The choice of toothpaste is based on the sensitivity of the gums and related problems.The dentist will help you in choosing the remedy.

It is not recommended to use wooden toothpicks to thoroughly clean the spaces between the teeth. It is better to cope with this task with a special thread or brush. Some yarns contain mint fibers, which give a pleasant scent to the breath. And silver ions will stop the reproduction of pathogenic bacteria.

Teeth should be brushed in the morning and in the evening. Before going to bed, after hygiene procedures, there is no need to eat. Food leftovers at night will become a breeding ground for microorganisms that damage tooth enamel.

Eliminate other causes of unpleasant odor

It is harder to get rid of unpleasant breath unrelated to dentistry. If the cause is metabolic disorders, treatment can take a long time. In diabetes mellitus, it is important to achieve a stable blood glucose level. Then the ammonia aroma will not bother you. For this, patients with type 1 disease are carefully selected the dosage of insulin, and with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a balanced diet and medications are prescribed to lower blood glucose.

For those with severe kidney problems, the only way to eliminate urea odor is to do hemodialysis. This is a method of artificial purification of blood plasma, which helps to get rid of metabolic products.

Treatment of tonsillitis, respiratory pathology is carried out with antibiotics. But in the chronic course of pathology, this is a long process.

The most common cause of bad breath is improper oral care. By visiting the dentist at least once a year, choosing the right brush, paste and floss, you can avoid the appearance of halitosis or cure it at an early stage.

90,000 Bad breath – treatments. How to get rid of

Currently, one of the most common diseases of the oral cavity is halitosis. It is a persistent bad breath.

In Russia, according to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO) for 2010, this disease is of all age (from 18 to 25 years -39%, from 26 to 35 years old – 51%, from 35 to 55 years old – 61%, older 56 years old – 67%).

The causes of halitosis are very diverse:

– poor oral hygiene;
– diseases of the gastrointestinal tract
– diseases of the oral cavity;
– consumption of more easily digestible carbohydrates;
– bad habits : smoking, excessive alcohol consumption;
– taking various medications , such as antiarrhythmics, diuretics, antidepressants, oral contraceptives and others;

The first three reasons are fundamental in the development of this process.

Studies have shown

A new study in Japan found that the bacteria that cause stomach disease lives in the mouth of people with halitosis, even if they have no signs of stomach disease. The study was conducted by Dr. Nao Suzuki and colleagues at the Fukuoka City College of Dentistry and published in the Journal of Medical Microbiology.

It is now known that infection with the bacterium Helicobacter pylori (Helicobacter pylori), which is present in 90% of the population of developing countries of the world and in 20-80% of people in developed countries, is a possible cause of stomach disease.Ways and factors of transmission: oral-oral (with kissing, using common cutlery). Possible cross-infection or the presence of a common source of infection in patients with duodenal ulcer and their families. The high genetic predisposition to infection and the intensity of immunity to Helicobacter pylori are important.

The factors of transmission are water, where Helicobacter pylori persists for several days, and food. Possible transmission through dirty hands, personal hygiene items.Also, viable bacteria are isolated from the contents of the stomach, as well as: oral cavity, dental plaque, diverticula of the small intestine, rectum and feces of sick people and carriers.

More recent studies suggest that the human mouth, which is home to more than 600 species of microorganisms (including pathogens), can serve as a reservoir for H. pylori, especially in the presence of periodontal or gum disease that causes halitosis.

“Microbes produce foul-smelling volatiles, including hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide.Doctors often use the measurement of their quantity to diagnose the condition. Diseases of the gastrointestinal tract are also widely recognized as the cause of halitosis, ”says Suzuki.

Scientists decided to investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter in the mouth of people with halitosis. For the study, DNA scans were taken from the saliva of 326 Japanese people; Of the examined 251 patients suffered from halitosis, 75 had no bad breath. None of the subjects showed signs of stomach disease.

More accurate results look like this:

• In 96 examined patients, Helicobacter pylori was present in the oral cavity.
• These people were more likely to have other signs of periodontal disease, including elevated levels of: methyl mercaptan; each of the periodontopathic microbes; tooth mobility; the depth of the periodontal pockets; hidden blood in saliva.

90,021 Of the 102 participants in the examination with diseases of the oral cavity, 16 (15.7%) were diagnosed with Helicobacter pylori.

Based on the presence of H. pylori in nearly 16% of study participants with oral diseases, the authors conclude that “enlargement of the gingival pockets and inflammation may facilitate colonization by this microorganism, and that H. pylori may not be directly associated with halitosis.”

Search and neutralize

Modern diagnostic methods can quickly determine the presence of Helicobacter pylori in the human body. Among them: urease breath test, PCR diagnostics.The detection of antibodies of the G class of Helicobacter indicates infection with this microorganism. A titer that is 3-4 times higher than the norm is considered diagnostic.

Treatment of the disease is complex. According to a number of researchers, it seems almost impossible to achieve a cure for halitosis without active sanitation of the oral cavity and treatment of diseases of the digestive tract.

Initially, training in oral hygiene and individual selection of hygiene products is carried out.For this condition, you should use oil-based toothpastes and rinses. It was found that olive oil has the ability to reduce the pathological microflora of the oral cavity by 20%. When analyzing the effectiveness of using toothpastes and rinses containing olive oil, it was found that after their use the rate of plaque formation significantly decreases, the level of sulfur-containing compounds decreases, which is associated with the suppression of the growth and development of pathogenic microflora.

Rehabilitation of the oral cavity consists of the treatment of caries, its complications (pulpitis, periodontitis) and gum disease. Fundamental is professional oral hygiene, gum treatment, and for more severe gum disease (parodotitis) Vector therapy, surgical treatment (open, closed curettage of pathological gingival pockets) is performed.

Eradication of Helicobacter pylori in the stomach and oral cavity, against the background of its complete sanitation, contributes not only to the achievement of remission, but also to the restoration of the structure of the gastric mucosa within 2-3 years.