An unpleasant odour in the mouth is commonly referred to as bad breath or halitosis. It is difficult to define bad breath as a disease. However, bad breath can also be a sign of important underlying health conditions.
There are many causes of bad breath. The main cause is bacteria that accumulate on the teeth immediately after brushing, which are typically associated with dental and gum diseases. However, bad breath can also be seen in conditions such as stomach, intestinal, lung, and throat cancers.
Infections originating from the sinuses and lungs, diabetes (which can cause an acetone-like smell), liver failure, dry mouth, poor oral hygiene, and the use of tobacco and alcohol products are also among the primary causes of bad breath.
Bad breath that occurs after eating or upon waking up in the morning is referred to as physiological bad breath and is not considered a sign of illness. Any bad breath that occurs outside of these situations is generally considered a symptom of an underlying condition and is referred to as pathological bad breath.
The treatment of bad breath depends on its underlying cause. Bad breath differs from breath door, which can indicate a systemic disease. Breath door may be caused by issues such as lung, stomach, or chronic constipation-related bowel problems. Recent studies have shown that in some cases of cancer, patients’ breath has a distinctive door in the early stages, leading to discussions about the possibility of early diagnosis through breath analysis.
Bad breath is 90% of oral origin, 8% from upper respiratory causes, 1% from digestive system issues, and 1% from metabolic causes.
Bad breath can occur in individuals of all ages, from young children to adults, and may cause problems at various stages of life.
For bad breath caused by pathological factors, patients should seek treatment with the guidance of a dentist, which will also help identify and address the underlying condition.
Some conditions or diseases that may cause bad breath include:
- Tooth decay
- Gum infections
- Mouth sores
- Post-nasal drip
- Throat, sinus, or lung infections
- Chronic sinusitis
- Chronic bronchitis
- Diabetes
- Acid reflux
- Liver or kidney disease
- Pregnancy (due to hormonal changes)
- Changes in women’s menstrual cycles
- Certain medications
- Anaesthesia
- Sjögren’s syndrome (causes dry mouth)
- Lactose intolerance
- Chemotherapy, radiation therapy