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Halitosis - Bad Breath Introduction |
Halitosis, or
bad breath, can have many
causes. The most common cause of
halitosis occurs in the mouth. Certain factors contribute to the
mouth exuding a foul odor, including poor dental hygiene, tooth
decay, and gum disease (gingivitis
and periodontitis). Volatile sulfur compounds
(VSCs), derived from bacterial plaque
that thrives in the mucus of the
mouth, have also been found to cause
bad breath. Bacteria located upon the
tongue are also a frequent source of
halitosis, and may be the strongest
determinant. [1]
Other risk factors
that can cause halitosis include; nose or throat infection
(such as sinusitis), postnasal drip,
acid reflux, indigestion,
constipation, insufficient friendly
intestinal bacteria, an
overabundance of unfriendly
bacteria, intestinal toxins, and
stomach gases. Bad breath is also frequently caused by eating
foods with a strong, distinctive
odor, such as garlic and onions. Underlying health conditions can
cause halitosis include; lung disease
(such as chronic lung infections, bronchiectasis or lung abscess),
liver failure, kidney failure, and
diabetes (ketoacidosis ‘fruity'
breath).
Along with the
symptoms of an underlying disorder,
the symptoms of halitosis may
include:
-
Foul odors coming
from the mouth
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‘Fishy' breath odor
may occur with liver failure
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‘Urine-like' breath
odor may occur with kidney failure
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‘Fruity' breath
odor (from acetone in the breath)
may occur in diabetics developing
ketoacidosis
If bad breath is caused by gum disease (gingivitis
and periodontitis), symptoms may
also include:
According to the
Centers for Disease Control:
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Periodontal (gum)
disease is more common among
diabetics.
-
Young adults with
diabetes have about twice the risk
of getting periodontal disease
than those without diabetes.
-
About one-third
diabetics have severe periodontal
diseases, in which there is a loss
of attachment of gums to the teeth measuring
5 millimeters or more. [2]
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Learn More About
Halitosis |
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