• Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis

Write For Us

What's Hot

How Big Are Kidney Stones?

February 3, 2021
Dyslexia

What Do Words Look Like to a Dyslexic Person?

February 3, 2021
Gallstones without a gallbladder image

Can you Get Gallstones without a Gallbladder?

July 12, 2022
Facebook Twitter YouTube
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
  • Write For Us
Facebook Twitter YouTube
  • Cancers
    • Colorectal Cancer
    • Lymphoma
    • Penile Cancer
    • Uterine Cancer
    • Breast Cancer
    • Stomach Cancer
    • Bone Cancer
    • Cervical Cancer
    • Brain Cancer
    • Leukemia (Blood Cells Cancer)
    • Endometrial Cancer
    • Neuroblastoma
    • Kidney Cancer
  • Brain
    • Stroke
    • Dyslexia
    • Down Syndrome
    • Cerebral Palsy
    • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
    • Alcoholism
    • Autism
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Epilepsy
    • Schizophrenia
    • Insomnia
    • Alzheimer’s Disease
    • Parkinson’s Disease
    • Migraine
    • Phobia
  • Heart
    • Hypertension
    • Endocarditis
    • Coronary Heart Disease
    • Myocardial Infarction
    • Arrhythmia
    • Angina
    • Enlarged heart
    • Pericarditis
    • Venous Thromboembolism (VTE)
    • Peripheral Arterial Disease
    • Ventricular Septal Defect
    • Hypotension
  • Urinary Health
    • Chronic Kidney Disease
    • Diabetic Nephropathy
    • Urinary Tract Infection
    • Prostatitis
    • Urinary Incontinence
    • Enlarged Prostate
    • Blood in Urine
    • Kidney Stones
    • Erectile Dysfunction
    • Cystitis
  • Eye
    • Myopia
    • Glaucoma
    • Dry Eyes
    • Conjunctivitis
    • Cataracts
    • Color Blindness
    • Macular Degeneration
    • Diabetic Retinopathy
    • Retinal Detachment
    • Keratoconus
  • Skin
    • Shingles
    • Rosacea
    • Eczema
    • Vitiligo
    • Psoriasis
    • Scabies
    • Acne
    • Dandruff
  • Women Health
    • Uterine Fibroids
    • Pregnancy
    • Polycystic Ovary Syndrome
    • Vaginitis
    • Endometriosis
    • Preeclampsia
    • Menstruation
    • Ovarian Cyst
    • Pelvic Inflammatory Disease
  • Digestive Health
    • Celiac Disease
    • Hemorrhoids
    • Achalasia
    • Diarrhea
    • Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
    • Diverticulitis
    • Liver Cirrhosis
    • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
    • Constipation
    • Appendicitis
    • Ulcerative Colitis
    • Gallstones
    • Crohn’s Disease
  • Bone Health
    • Osteoarthritis
    • Osteoporosis
    • Cyst
    • Osteomyelitis
    • Sciatica
    • Fibromyalgia
    • Calcium Deficiency
    • Gout
    • Rickets in Children
    • Spinal Stenosis
  • Dental
    • Periodontal Disease
    • Dental Caries
    • Bad Breath
    • Sensitive Teeth
    • Dry Mouth
    • Supernumerary Teeth
    • Bruxism
    • Tooth Loss
    • Impacted Tooth
  • More
    • Hyperthyroidism
    • Rhinitis
    • Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
    • Thalassemia
    • Hepatitis
    • Sinusitis
    • Acromegaly
    • Health and Wellness
    • Achondroplasia
    • Diabetes Mellitus
    • Asthma
    • Coronavirus Disease (Covid-19)
    • Sleep Apnea
    • Tuberculosis
DiseaseFix – World's Largest Disease Information Center
Home » Dental Health » Bad Breath » What Causes Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

What Causes Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

Monika SinghBy Monika SinghUpdated:October 3, 20194 Mins Read
Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
Share
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Email

Bad breath causes

Bad breath starts mostly from the mouth. Sometimes it can start from the nose also. It is a common problem and even healthy people can have bad breadth occasionally. The possible causes of bad breath (halitosis) are described below:

Poor Oral health

Poor dental hygiene is one of the most common causes of halitosis. Mouth is always wet and therefore a very good breeding platform for bacteria.

If teeth are not brushed, flossed and rinsed properly, following conditions may occur:

  • Food particles may remain inside the mouth
  • A colorless sticky coating of bacteria may cover the teeth and gradually form a plaque between teeth and gums
  • Tongue can also trap the bacteria that produce bad odors
  • Dentures if not cleaned properly can harbor the bacteria and food particles
  • Braces if not properly cleaned after eating food, can trap the food

In order to prevent halitosis and above conditions, one should maintain a good dental hygiene.

Strong Food and Beverages

Food is the primary source of bad odors. Different foods are responsible for different types of odors. Foods and their effects are given below:

Onions and Garlic

These types of foods contain smelly sulfur compounds. Sulfur has a rotten egg smell. Therefore, after having such foods, the breath smells like a rotten egg.

Dairy Products, Meat and Fish

These types of foods contain dense proteins. Dense proteins are food sources for anaerobic bacteria responsible for the bad breath.

Refined and Processed Sugar

Refined sugar also provides a food source for the sulfur-producing bacteria.

Coffee and Juices

Coffee and juices are acidic in nature. An acidic environment is the best breeding ground for almost all the bacteria responsible for bad odors.

Use of Tobacco

Smoking and chewing tobacco are other causes of bad breath as they leave chemicals in the mouth.

Tobacco dries the mouth and makes the breath even worse. It also increases the chance of gum disease which is again the main cause of bad breath. Continuous smoking stains the teeth, irritates the gums and reduces the sense of taste.

Stopping smoking lowers the risk of gum related disease and also helps in reducing the bad breath.

Dry Mouth

Xerostomia is a medical term for dry mouth. Saliva naturally cleanses the mouth by removing particles from the mouth that cause bad odors.

Dry mouth contributes to bad breath because the mouth is not naturally cleaned due to lack of saliva. Dry mouth is caused by:

  • Less production of saliva
  • Long periods of speaking
  • Smoking
  • Drinking alcohol
  • Snoring
  • Continuously breathing through mouth

Dry mouth provides a perfect environment for the reproduction of anaerobic bacteria. Minor food odors can lead to long-term issues for people suffering from dry mouth condition.

Nose or Throat Conditions

Bad breath may develop if a person is having any of the following respiratory infections:

  • Sinus infection
  • Postnasal drainage
  • Chronic bronchitis
  • Tonsil stones
  • An infection in upper or lower respiratory system

Mouth Infections

Yeast infections of the mouth, cavities and gum diseases cause bad breath. All these conditions of the mouth provide a breeding platform for the bacteria and yeast. Overgrowth of these micro-organisms causes bad breath.

Other Diseases and Illness

It is estimated that 10 percent of halitosis cases are caused by other diseases and illness. Such diseases and illness are:

  • Diabetes
  • Lung disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Cancer

Medications

Certain medications have a side effect of reducing saliva in the mouth. This contributes to dry mouth, which in turn is the cause of bad odors. Some medications break down and release chemicals which contribute to bad breath.

Crash Dieting

Break down of ketones (fats producing chemicals) takes place during fasting and low carbohydrate eating process. Ketones have a strong odor. When they break down, a strong odor is released.

Other Causes

In addition to the above discussed causes of bad breath, there are some other rare causes. They are:

  • Object stuck in the nose (particularly in children)
  • Regular alcohol consumption
  • Large dosage of vitamin supplements
Monika Singh
  • LinkedIn

Monika Singh is an expert in computer sciences and has pursued her Master’s degree (M.Tech-CS) from Banasthali University, Rajasthan. Her areas of interest include data structure, software engineering, software testing, and computer graphics. Monika Singh has published a paper on “Modified AODV in MANET,” International Journal of Computer Science and Management Studies (IJCSMS), ISSN: 2231-5268, Vol-14, Issue-05 May 2014, PP:12-18.

Follow-Up Reads

What is Halitosis (Bad Breath)?

February 28, 2020

What are Treatment Options and Home Remedies for Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

October 3, 2019

How Do Doctors Diagnose Bad Breath (Halitosis)?

October 3, 2019

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Best Practices for staying Healthy: Strategies & Tactics
doctor with mask Best Practices for staying Healthy

Treatment for COPD in the Elderly Explained

By Kapil Sharma5 Mins Read

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a common and debilitating condition that affects the lungs,…

Lemon Juice Glass

Top 10 Home Remedies to Pass a Kidney Stone in 24 Hours

February 20, 2023
Runny Nose

Spike in H3N2 Influenza Cases in Delhi-NCR

February 16, 2023
Newborn child

Healing From a Stillbirth or Infant Loss: A Guide for Parents

February 14, 2023
Latest Posts
Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats

Reasons Why Eco-Friendly Yoga Mats Are the Best Choice for Your Health and the Environment

May 30, 2023
Pollution Environment Drone Aerial View

5 Environmental Factors to Consider When Relocating

May 26, 2023
Health and Safety is Important in the Workplace

5 Reasons Why Health and Safety Is Important in the Workplace

May 26, 2023
Hair loss in children

Hair Loss in Children: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment Options

May 26, 2023
Woman with red lips smiling

6 Dental Procedures You Can Consider for a Great Smile

May 25, 2023
Subscribe To Our Newsletter
About Us
About Us

DiseaseFix is primarily known as an online publisher of disease-centric medical information related to human health and well-being. The information is published as disease modules accessible to users from across the world free of cost.

Email Us: contact@diseasefix.com

Our Picks
Breast Cancer

Moving Forward After Breast Cancer Surgery

December 30, 2022
Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Five Things Patients Experience Immediately After Breast Cancer Diagnosis

April 23, 2021

Real Life Experiences About Coping With Cancer

April 22, 2021
Company

Disease Index

About Us

Our Team

Privacy Policy

Disclaimer

Contact Us

Write For Us

 

Facebook Twitter YouTube
© 2023 Diseasefix. All rights reserved.

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.