10 surprising reasons why you should not ignore bad breath

It’s no secret that garlic and onions will give you pretty bad breath. But if you’re avoiding these foods and still your breath smells, it’s time to dig deeper into the reasons that could be causing it. Bad breath, also called halitosis, is prevalent in the population. Sometimes it is humiliating and can adversely affect personal relationships and the quality of life. Here are a few surprising things that could give you bad breath.

Your tongue bacteria:

In particular, the back of the tongue has many grooves and crevices, making it the perfect place for the odour-producing bacteria to grow and emit smelly sulphur compounds.

Dental problems:

Food particles remain in your mouth forming a colourless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) on your teeth which can cause halitosis. Bad breath also may be a warning sign of tooth abscess, cavities, or advanced gum disease.

Dry mouth:

Saliva is a natural deterrent to bad breath, as it washes away bacteria. But many people suffer from a condition called dry mouth or xerostomia in which saliva production is diminished and may contribute to bad breath.

Diabetes:

Your breath has a great ability to give clues to your overall health. A sweet, fruity odor may be a sign of ketoacidosis, an acute diabetes complication.

Kidney Problems:

An ammonia odour is associated with kidney disease. Many experience this side effect due to excess urea in the bloodstream. Healthy kidneys function to filter out urea. If they are unable to do so, the excess produces a foul smell.

Digestive issues:

Digestive obstructions, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and intestinal disorders can all lead to bad breath.

Sinus infection:

Sinus infections, or the presence of bacteria in the nose and sinus cavities, can also cause unpleasant odours. Mouth breathing when your nose gets clogged, during an episode of the common cold can also produce a bad smell by drying out your mouth.

Medications:

Some drugs can indirectly cause bad breath by leading to dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can be carried on the breath.

Alcohol:

Night out or a beer with your buddies will give you more than just a hangover. Even though it’s a liquid, alcohol can actually dry out your mouth, which stimulates the halitosis causing bacteria.

Smoking:

Nicotine in tobacco reduces the salivary flow and can contribute to dry mouth. Smokers and oral tobacco consumers are more vulnerable to gum disease or oral cancer, another cause of bad breath.

Have you got bad breath? You need to pay attention to it. Bad breath can be a sign of a dental issue or some medical condition. Getting to the root cause of the problem is very important. Consult your doctor or dentist for timely action.