It’s a common misconception that cavities are the root cause of bad breath. While it is true that those who have cavities are more likely to have bad breath, the root cause of bad breath is usually bacteria that can build up in your mouth. In this article, we will explore the causes of bad breath and offer some solutions to help you keep your pearly whites happy and your breath smelling fresh!
What is Bad Breath?
Dentists define bad breath, or halitosis, as an unpleasant mouth odor that is usually caused by the build-up of bacteria in your mouth. There are over 500 different types of bacteria that can live in your mouth. These bacteria can build up on your tongue, teeth, gums, and even in the spaces between your teeth. When these bacteria break down food particles, they release a gas that smells bad. This includes things like:
- Sulfur compounds
- Aromatic compounds
- Nitrogen-containing compounds
- Amines
- Short-chain fatty acids
- Alcohols or phenyl compounds
- Aliphatic compounds
- Ketones
While some of these compounds can originate from other parts of the body, the vast majority of them come from the mouth.
What Causes Bad Breath?
There are many different causes of bad breath, but the most common cause is poor oral hygiene. When you do not brush and floss your teeth regularly, food debris and dental plaque can accumulate on your teeth and tongue, creating a great environment for bacteria to grow. These bacteria can also cause dental caries (aka cavities), which is why cavities are often associated with bad breath. Other causes of bad breath include:
- Periodontal Disease: The inflammation of gums (periodontium) creates a source of bacteria that can cause bad breath. This can eventually lead to bleeding gums and receding gums.
- Dry Sockets: When a tooth is extracted (such as in wisdom teeth removal), the socket that is left behind can become infected and cause bad breath.
- Dry Mouth (Xerostomia): A lack of saliva can allow bacteria to accumulate and cause bad breath. This is because saliva helps to wash away food debris and bacteria. This can be caused by many different factors, including medications, certain diseases, smoking, and chemotherapy.
- Ulcers on the Mouth: Ulcers in the mouth are open sores that can become infected with bacteria. This can cause bad breath.
- Not Cleaning Dentures/Mouthguards/Invisalign: If you do not clean your dentures, mouthguard, or Invisalign regularly, they can become a breeding ground for bacteria.
- Smoking and Vaping: Smoking and vaping lead to many different oral health problems, including decreased blood flow and decreased saliva production. On top of this, the chemicals used in these products, in general, can cause bad breath. (We have a full article on how vaping is bad for your teeth here)
Non-Mouth-Related Causes of Bad Breath
Surprisingly, bad breath can also be caused by things that have nothing to do with your mouth. Around 10% of all bad breath cases are caused by medical conditions such as:
- Sinusitis: an inflammation of the sinuses that is often caused by a bacterial infection
- Postnasal drip: A condition where mucus drips down the back of your throat
- Acid reflux: A condition where stomach acid leaks back up into your throat
- Diabetes: High levels of sugar in the blood can cause bad breath
- Kidney disease: Kidney problems can cause a build-up of waste products in the blood, which can lead to bad breath
- Liver disease: Liver problems can also cause a build-up of waste products in the blood, which can lead to bad breath
- Bronchitis: An inflammation of the bronchi (the main airways in the lungs)
If you have bad breath that doesn’t seem to be related to dental hygiene, it’s important to see a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
When you have bad breath, the first priority is to reduce the bacterial load in your mouth (aka remove bacteria from your mouth). This can be done by:
- Brush Your Teeth: Brushing your teeth twice a day with toothpaste that contains fluoride is the best way to help get rid of bad breath.
- Flossing daily: Flossing can remove plaque and bacteria from hard-to-reach places in between your teeth.
- Using antibacterial mouthwash: The daily use of an antibacterial mouthwash can also reduce the amount of bacteria living in your mouth.
- Cleaning your tongue: Plenty of bacteria live on your tongue, which is often neglected during people’s brushing routine. Using a tongue scraper or tongue brush can help remedy this issue.
- Visiting your dentist regularly: Visiting your dentists every 6 months for professional cleanings and check-ups is extremely important. Your dentist will be able to do treatments such as scaling and root planning which can help remove bacteria from your mouth. They can also give you more suggestions unique to your situation.
- Clean dental appliances you put in your mouth: This includes things such as dentures, mouthguards, and Invisalign. Brushing them daily is a great start. You can also consider cleaning solutions made specifically for this purpose.
- Replacing or Fixing Dental Restorations (Tooth Repairs): As tooth repairs get older, cracks can form in them, which are a great place for bacteria to grow. If this is the case, it may be a good option to get them replaced or repaired.
- Treating oral conditions that could lead to bad breath: This includes xerostomia (dry mouth), oral ulcers, and periodontitis (gum disease)
- Treating health conditions that could lead to bad breath: This includes sinusitis, postnasal drip, acid reflux, and diabetes
Disclaimer
The contents of this website, such as text, graphics, images, and other material are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be substituted for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nothing on this website constitutes the practice of medicine, law or any other regulated profession.
No two mouths are the same, and each oral situation is unique. As such, it isn’t possible to give comprehensive advice or diagnose oral conditions based on articles alone. The best way to ensure you’re getting the best dental care possible is to visit a dentist in person for an examination and consultation.
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