What causes bad breath?

Sep 22, 2024 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Liu Chao

Introduction

In general, bad-tasting saliva may be caused by poor oral hygiene, dry mouth upon waking, improper diet, periodontal disease, chronic gastritis, and other factors. It is important to maintain good oral hygiene through regular tooth brushing and mouth rinsing, eat a balanced diet, avoid irritating foods, maintain a regular sleep schedule, and reduce mental stress to improve the issue. If discomfort persists, it is recommended to seek medical attention promptly.

Generally, bad breath (foul-smelling saliva) may be caused by poor oral hygiene, dry mouth upon waking, improper diet, periodontal disease, chronic gastritis, and other factors. If discomfort occurs, it is advisable to seek medical attention promptly. Specific causes are analyzed as follows:

1. Poor Oral Hygiene

Inadequate cleaning allows food debris to remain in the mouth for extended periods, where bacteria break it down and produce unpleasant odors, leading to bad breath. Regular tooth brushing, using dental floss to clean between teeth, and antibacterial mouthwash can help maintain oral hygiene.

2. Dry Mouth in the Morning

Saliva secretion decreases during sleep at night, reducing the mouth's natural self-cleaning ability and resulting in foul-smelling saliva. Maintaining adequate daily fluid intake and chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production.

3. Improper Diet

Consuming spicy, irritating, or strongly odorous foods may leave residues in the mouth that cause bad breath. It is best to avoid excessive intake of such foods. Rinsing the mouth after meals can help eliminate oral odor.

4. Periodontal Disease

Periodontal disease is usually caused by bacterial infection, weakened immune function, and other factors. It may lead to excessive bacterial growth in the mouth, which breaks down food debris and produces foul odors, resulting in bad breath. Symptoms may include gum bleeding, redness, and swelling. Under a doctor’s guidance, medications such as amoxicillin capsules, compound chlorhexidine mouthwash, and hydrogen peroxide solution may be used for treatment.

5. Chronic Gastritis

Chronic gastritis is primarily caused by Helicobacter pylori infection, abnormal gastric acid secretion, and other factors. The inflammatory response may delay gastric emptying, causing food to remain in the stomach too long and producing excessive gas and malodorous substances, which travel up the esophagus into the mouth, resulting in bad breath. This condition is often accompanied by symptoms such as stomach pain and bloating. Patients may take medications such as omeprazole enteric-coated capsules, domperidone tablets, and hydrotalcite chewable tablets under medical supervision.

To prevent and improve bad breath, it is important to maintain good oral hygiene by regularly brushing teeth and rinsing the mouth, eating a balanced diet, avoiding irritants, maintaining regular sleep patterns, and reducing mental stress.

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What are some methods to eliminate bad breath?

In general, bad breath can be prevented by brushing teeth morning and evening, using dental floss to clean between teeth, rinsing the mouth after meals, regularly cleaning the tongue coating, and improving dietary habits. In addition, it is important to develop the habit of regular professional teeth cleaning to remove tartar and stubborn dental plaque. If bad breath persists, it may be related to oral diseases or digestive system problems.

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How are permanent teeth classified according to their shape and function?

Under normal circumstances, permanent teeth can be classified into four types according to their shape and function: incisors, canines, premolars, and molars. Incisors are located in the front of the oral cavity, with four in the upper jaw and four in the lower jaw, making a total of eight. They have a shovel-like shape. The morphological differences among these four types of teeth directly determine their specific roles in the mastication process, working together to cut, tear, and grind food.

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Why don't upper teeth develop dry socket?

Under normal circumstances, dry socket is less likely to occur in upper teeth, possibly due to factors such as richer blood supply in the upper alveolar bone, more efficient gravitational drainage in the oral cavity, less traumatic extraction of upper teeth, lower infection rates in the upper tooth region, and fewer postoperative foreign body residues. It is recommended to seek timely medical attention, clarify the condition of the teeth, and follow proper postoperative care under a doctor's guidance.

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Can periodontitis cause bad breath?

In general, whether periodontitis causes bad breath depends on the severity of the condition. Mild periodontitis usually does not明显 cause noticeable bad breath, but if it progresses to moderate or severe periodontitis, halitosis may develop. To prevent bad breath caused by periodontitis, it is important to maintain good daily oral hygiene by thoroughly brushing teeth morning and night, using dental floss or interdental brushes to clean between teeth, and undergoing regular periodontal cleaning to remove dental plaque and tartar.