What causes bad breath? Insights and treatment tips to freshen up and feel confident

While we’ve all experienced bad breath at some time, many people aren’t aware of what causes bad breath.

Without understanding what causes bad breath, it’s difficult to identify the right solution, including professional treatment provided by a dentist.

Some people might only experience bad breath very occasionally. It could be the result of a big night out or feeling unwell. In these cases, the bad breath may pass quickly.

Other patients experience bad breath persistently. Concerning for a number of reasons, constant bad breath can be a sign that other more serious conditions are present and need to be addressed.

Whether it’s occasional bad breath or a more serious condition, taking steps to remedy what causes the bad breath is vital for maintaining good oral health.

In this post we share some of the more common causes of bad breath and possible treatments.

What is bad breath?

Technically referred to as halitosis, bad breath can be unpleasant and embarrassing, especially if you’re the last one to discover you have it.

Generally speaking, the root cause of bad breath is the odour given off by bacteria in the mouth, nose and throat. When plaque – which is a complex ecosystem of bacteria – builds up on teeth, it can cause tooth decay and gum disease. As these conditions advance, the likelihood that bad breath will occur increases.

So what are the solutions when there are many different causes for bad breath? Fortunately, there are both simple and more complex dental solutions.

Let’s explore some of these now.

Poor oral hygiene: It can be fixed!

Fortunately, the most common cause of bad breath is the accumulation of food and plaque. Quite simply, if you don’t brush and floss your teeth regularly, food debris builds up, causing bad odours. Left untreated, food can even rot in the mouth. The team at Define Dental has written extensively about good oral hygiene. It is the foundation of our message to patients as we strive to educate and raise awareness about this important aspect of personal health.

Poor oral hygiene allows plaque to grow on teeth and the tongue, and it’s this growth which causes the unpleasant smell we recognise as bad breath.

In time, plaque can harden onto the surface of teeth as minerals, such as calcium, which are found in saliva, become calculus. Think of this process like barnacles growing on your teeth.

As with many complex dental challenges, the original issue can morph into a more difficult one to treat – and so it is with plaque. From these early signs, the plaque accumulates more rapidly and can only be treated with a professional clean.

What’s the take away?

The good news it’s not rocket science. Brush and floss regularly to not only remove food, but also to clean the plaque. Remember to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper too. And finally, maintain your regular dental cleaning appointments to keep the “barnacles” at bay!  After all, we want to avoid them burrowing into gums where they are harder to remove and can cause damage to teeth and gums.

Gum disease: Avoid at any cost

Gum disease – or periodontitis – is caused by the build up of plaque and calculus on the teeth. Gingivitis is inflammation of gum tissues and if untreated, may advance to form periodontitis.

Periodontitis is the nasty, big brother of gingivitis. It’s an infection that isn’t
necessarily painful. You might think, Well that’s great!  But here’s the thing: there is a downside. Because symptoms aren’t always immediately evident, the condition can be well advanced before anything is done. In some circumstances this can mean more complex treatment is required.

Periodontitis is a condition where the gum tissues and bone around the teeth start to break down. Not surprisingly, this is a process which causes a terrible smell. People can develop this slowly over time or quickly. There is also an acute form called acute necrotising ulcerative gingivitis which generates a distinctive smell and is very unpleasant because it basically involves the gums rotting in the mouth!

What’s the take away?

It’s extremely important to come in to us regularly; as a rule every six months. With regular visits to your dentist or hygienist, small issues which can grow into serious problems like gum disease and gingivitis can be identified and treated early. Regular visits provide the opportunity to clean the build-up of calculus on the teeth (remember those barnacles!) that irritate the gum tissue.

Food traps: They need to be cleaned!

We’ve all had that experience. We’ve enjoyed a delicious meal and then we can feel food stuck in our teeth. It can be uncomfortable, and if left there too long, cause other issues like bad breath.

Often where there is a small gap between teeth, particularly back teeth, food can become wedged. If it’s left there, it can even smell, or worse, begin to rot. Hello bad breath!

In some cases the fix is simple. Diligent flossing – yes, every day – can help manage the food traps in your mouth. However, for some people, this isn’t enough, and it can be worthwhile finding a more permanent solution by working together with your dentist.

What’s the take away?

If this is an issue for you, why not talk about it to your dentist at your next visit? We can explain ways to correct the alignment of teeth to address the gaps that are food traps and potentially a cause for bad breath.

Reflux: Take an integrated approach to treatment

Reflux is an unpleasant condition and for those who suffer with it, they may have bad breath, which is caused by stomach acid coming up. It’s also important to note that stomach acid brought up by reflux weakens the surface layer of the enamel that can be brushed away mechanically by a toothbrush. It’s like a one-two punch for teeth.

What’s the take away?

While your dentist can provide guidance about bad breath, if the cause is reflux, it’s best to address this by pinpointing the cause of the reflux. If you suspect reflux is the cause of your bad breath, speak to your dentist or general practitioner. Dentists from Define Dental regularly liaise with other medical practitioners as necessary to ensure the best treatment solution for patients. We want you to know we walk the treatment journey with you.

Wisdom tooth related infection: Let’s get it cleaned

Often wisdom teeth cannot come right through the gums due to a lack of space. When this happens a flap of gum can sit over a portion of the tooth. The position of the flap causes food to sit there and get caught underneath.

Despite the best efforts, no amount of brushing will get it out. As food remains there, it can cause infection and even lead to extreme pain. Not surprisingly, the infection can smell terrible as pus leaks out from under the flap and into the mouth, not to mention the rotting food there.

What’s the take away?

If you do have teeth that are only partially through, it’s important to have us check their health and positioning. If you’re concerned about your wisdom teeth, now could be the perfect time to book an appointment.

Dental abscess

Another type of infection that can cause unpleasant breath is when someone has a tooth related infection that leaks into the mouth. Usually caused by untreated tooth decay, the bacteria may invade the tooth nerves. This can cause an abscess to form and then leak into the mouth, causing a terrible smell and often, a taste that is equally as bad.

What’s the take away?

If you have an acute infection, book an appointment immediately. However, if you’re keen to take a preventive approach to your general and dental health, be sure to keep up with your regular check-ups. That way, dental abscesses can be prevented from forming.

Food and smoking: be aware of what causes bad breath

Food is an obvious cause of bad breath, with foods like garlic, onion and some cheeses frequent culprits. Additionally, smoking and vaping are other habits which can lead to bad breath.

What’s the take away?

Bad breath from smoking and food may be helped by brushing well, but note here that the smell may be projected up from the stomach or airway. For this reason, it’s important to remember that it’s preferable bad habits like smoking are stopped to remove the cause in the first instance.

When it comes to foods, try complimenting them with other food types to neutralise the odour. Remember that parsley, basil, mint and citrus fruits can help.

Dry mouth and dehydration: it’s not just a case of drinking more water

The technical term for dry mouth is xerostomia. This can be caused by dehydration, some medical conditions, radiotherapy to the head and neck region and many prescription drugs. You can read more about dry mouth in this blog.

Xerostomia causes bad breath due to the lack of saliva. Saliva helps to wash food particles in the mouth. It also helps by providing enzymes which begin the process of breaking food down.

What’s the take away?

If you are concerned about xerostomia come in for a check up and we can talk about tailored solutions especially for you.

Medications and medical conditions

We’ve already mentioned above that some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by causing a dry mouth. Other medications break down in the body and are excreted through breathing, causing an unusual smell. There are also medical conditions, such as diabetes, which can lead to bad breath.

What’s the take away?

If you’re concerned medication could be affecting your breath, it’s worth consulting with either your general practitioner or dentist. It may be possible to substitute certain medications, however this should only ever be done as part of an overall approach to managing your health. Particularly with conditions like diabetes, it’s vital that any changes to treatment are appropriate.

Dentures

Dentures that are poorly fitting or not well cared for can collect and trap food. Apart from causing unpleasant smells, food trapped against the side of natural teeth can cause decay too. The plaque and calculus (remember the barnacles?) can also stick to the dentures easily creating the ideal environment to grow and cause unpleasant smells.

What’s the take away?

If your denture is more than five years old or is no longer fitting well, it’s time to come and speak to the Define Dental team. We can discuss ways to manage or rectify the situation for you.

A final word about bad breath

It might be hard to believe but there are more things we could add to this list about what causes bad breath. If you have any questions or concerns about bad breath – or any other dental concerns – the best thing to do is come in and see us.

Define Dental is the longest operating Gold Coast dentist. Located in Benowa on the Gold Coast, Define Dental has a team of dentists, including Dr Michael Bootes, who are committed to helping you achieve your best oral health. With a focus on education and raising awareness about common dental questions like what causes bad breath, we’ll make a full assessment of your condition and recommend a course of action that moves you along the Define Dental health scale. Book an appointment today on 5597 2100.