Bad breath and dry mouth: which part of the body is malfunctioning?
Bad breath and dry mouth may be caused by conditions such as dental caries, gingivitis, and chronic gastritis.
1. Dental Caries
Failure to maintain proper oral hygiene over a long period, frequently consuming sugary foods, and accumulation of food debris in the mouth may lead to tooth decay. Dental caries can cause symptoms such as bad breath and dry mouth.
2. Gingivitis
Chronic bacterial infection or plaque buildup around the teeth may trigger gingivitis. As the condition worsens, symptoms such as bad breath and dry mouth may develop.
3. Chronic Gastritis
Chronic gastritis can lead to indigestion, causing food to remain in the stomach for prolonged periods. This may result in fermentation of food within the stomach, leading to bad breath and dry mouth.
In addition to the above conditions, bad breath and dry mouth could also be caused by other diseases such as peptic ulcers or stomach cancer. If symptoms of bad breath and dry mouth persist over a long period, patients should seek timely medical evaluation, undergo appropriate diagnostic tests, identify the exact underlying cause, and receive targeted treatment accordingly.