John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Steven Doerr, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Doerr received his undergraduate degree in Spanish from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He graduated with his Medical Degree from the University Of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver, Colorado in 1998 and completed his residency training in Emergency Medicine from Denver Health Medical Center in Denver, Colorado in 2002, where he also served as Chief Resident.
Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be an embarrassing problem. It can be
caused by the foods you eat, dry mouth,
tobacco
products, or a medical disorder.
Maintaining proper oral health can help reduce or eliminate bad breath.
Bad Breath Causes
Bad breath (halitosis) can be caused by a variety of things including diet,
medication, poor oral hygiene, and diseases or conditions such as diabetes,
GERD, lactose intolerance, gum disease, and more. Treatment for bad breath
depends on the cause.
There are many things that can cause bad breath, including the following:
Diet
When a person does not brush or floss their teeth thoroughly, food
particles may remain in the mouth. These particles may rot and cause foul odors. In addition, food particles
over time can promote the growth of
bacteria, which can
also cause foul odors. The bacteria can also lead to
tooth decay and
gum disease.
Foods with strong odors also affect the air a person exhales. Foods commonly
known to contribute to bad breath include onions and
garlic, exotic spices
(such as curry), some cheeses, fish, and acidic beverages such as
coffee. Foods
are absorbed into the bloodstream and then transferred to the lungs, causing
noticeable odors when exhaled. These foods may also cause
gastrointestinal upset
and belching, which can contribute to bad breath. In addition, certain
supplements such as fish oil capsules can contribute to bad breath.
Low
carbohydrate diets may also cause what is known as 'ketone breath.'
So-called 'low carb' diets cause the body to burn fat as its energy source. The
end-product of making this energy are ketones, which cause a fruity acetone-like
odor on the breath when exhaled.
Dry Mouth
Bad breath can also be caused by decreased flow of
saliva, which is a
vital
part of the digestive process and removes odor-causing particles in the mouth.
Also called xerostomia, dry mouth
may be caused by medications, breathing
through the mouth, or salivary gland problems.
Tobacco Products
In addition to causing bad breath,
smoking or chewing tobacco-based products
can stain teeth, irritate gum tissue, and
exacerbate tooth decay.
Medical Disorders
Certain medical disorders may cause bad breath, for example:
Dentures or dental appliances, such as braces, can contribute to bad breath.
Most often it is due to food particles that are not properly cleansed from the
appliances. Loose-fitting dentures can contribute to sores and localized
infections in the mouth, which can cause bad breath.
Morning Breath
Overnight, bacteria accumulate in the mouth, causing bad breath that is
commonly referred to as 'morning breath.' Some people breathe through their
mouth at night, which can cause dry mouth and worsen morning breath.
The chest pain of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be confused with pain from a heart problem. If you have any of the following, call your doctor and/or go immediately to the closest hospital emergency department:
Severe chest pain or pressure, especially if it radiates to the arm, neck, or back
Vomiting followed by severe chest pain
Vomiting blood
Dark, tarry stools
Difficulty swallowing solids or liquids
What is GERD?
Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a condition in which the esophagus (food pipe) becomes irritated or inflamed by stomach contents, including acid, backing up from the stomach. This backing up is called reflux. The main symptom is heartburn, but other symptoms may occur.
What is heartburn?
Heartburn is a burning pain in the center of the chest, behind the breastbone (see Media file 1). It often sta...
