Mouth Odour: Causes And Treatment

Mouth Odor which is otherwise known as bad
breath, or halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the
mouth. It can occur on occasion, or it can be a
chronic condition. It may be caused by foods a
person eats, poor oral hygiene, medical
conditions, or other factors.
It could also be defined as the presence of a foul-
smelling odor that seems to come from the mouth
cavity. According to the Academy of General
Dentistry, in more than 90% of cases, the odor
originates in the mouth, throat, and tonsils.
Although this is something everyone experiences
at one time or another, if your case does not
improve after brushing, flossing, and rinsing the
mouth with an alcohol free mouthwash, it may be
chronic.
Causes Of Mouth Odor
FOOD : Food is a primary source of bad odors that
come from the mouth. Some foods, such as
garlic, onions, spicy foods, exotic spices (such as
curry), some cheeses, fish, Meats and acidic
beverages such as coffee can leave a lingering
smell. Most of the time the odor is for a short
while. Other foods may get stuck in the teeth,
promoting the growth of bacteria, which causes
bad breath odor.
POOR HYGIENE : When a person does not brush
regularly, food particles remaining in the mouth
can rot and cause bad odors. Poor dental care
can lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth,
which causes an odor of its own. Bacteria cause
the formation of toxins to form, which irritate the
gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can
damage the gums and jawbone.
HEALTH ISSUES: pneumonia, sore throat and
other throat infections, tonsil stones ,thrush,
diabetes, acid reflux, lactose intolerance, other
stomach problems, and some liver diseases or
kidney diseases may be associated with bad
breath.
MORNING BREATH: Bad breath in the morning is
very common. Saliva production nearly stops
during sleep, allowing bacteria to grow, causing
bad breath or mouth odor.
Also Long periods of speaking, smoking, drinking
alcohol, and snoring are a few common
underlying causes. Most people experience foul
breath in the morning due to lack of saliva
production while they sleep. For healthy
individuals, food odors are temporary and normal
salivary flow will eliminate them.
PREGNANCY : Being pregnant in itself does not
cause bad breath, but the nausea and morning
sickness common during pregnancy may cause
bad breath. In addition, hormonal change,
dehydration, and eating different foods due to
cravings may also contribute to bad breath during
pregnancy.thin several minutes.
SYMPTOMS OF MOUTH ODOR
1.Unpleasant or sour taste or changes in taste,
2. Dry mouth,
3. Coating on the tongue
TREATMENT OF MOUTH ODOR
1. Brush and floss teeth regularly. Remember to
brush the tongue, too. This can help with bad
breath caused by foods a person has eaten.
2. Try and See a dentist regularly to ensure
dentures or braces are properly fitted and
cleaned.
3. Quit smoking or using chewing tobacco.
4. Keep the mouth moist by drinking water and
chewing sugarless gum or sugar-free hard candy
to stimulate the production of saliva. Mouthwash
may temporarily mask bad breath odors, but it
may not treat the underlying cause.
Natural remedies to treat bad breath include
chewing on mint or parsley.
If bad breath is due to a health problem such as
a sinus infection, diabetes, acid reflux, etc., it
needs to be treated appropriately.
But, If bad breath is a side effect of taking a
medication, discuss with a doctor whether there
are other options for medication that can be
taken. Never stop taking a medication without
first consulting your doctor..