6 Oral Issues That Can Cause Bad Breath You Should Be Aware Of
Bad breath, also known as halitosis, can have a lot of causes. The most common of them are oral issues, problems with digestion, poor oral hygiene, and consumption of smelly foods. Due to the fact that it can be quite challenging to define the exact cause of your bad breath, it is better to contact your doctor especially if the unpleasant smell of your breath is persistent. In this article, we have gathered six oral issues that can cause bad breath you should be aware of.
1. Tooth decay
Tooth decay is a hole or cavity in the tooth enamel. If left untreated, tooth decay can develop and reach the inner layers of the tooth. In this case, you may experience a severe toothache. Due to the fact that a cavity can accumulate dental plaque, food particles, and bacteria, people with tooth decay often have bad breath. If left untreated, tooth decay can destroy the tooth and you may need to extract it and replace it with a dental implant.
2. Gum disease
Gum disease is a condition that occurs when the bacteria affects the gums and leads to the development of gum inflammation. The most common symptoms of gum disease include:
- Red, swollen, and bleeding gums
- Bad breath
- Gum recession
- Toothache
- Pus between the teeth
- Loose teeth
- Teeth sensitivity
- Tooth loss
If you have noticed at least some of these symptoms, it is better to contact your dentist and undergo proper treatment.
3. Dental abscess
A dental abscess is a quite severe issue that occurs when the infection penetrates the tooth. This leads to the development of a pus-filled sac that can burst if left untreated. A dental abscess can manifest itself through bad breath, severe toothache, swollen gum under the affected tooth, and unpleasant taste in the mouth. An abscessed tooth can be treated only by a dentist so it is better to contact a dental clinic as soon as you notice some symptoms.
4. Dry mouth
A dry mouth is a condition in which the salivary glands don't produce enough saliva. This condition can be caused by certain medications, cancer treatment, nerve damage, and aging. Alcohol consumption and smoking can also affect your salivary glands.
A dry mouth can lead to bad breath, a feeling of dryness and stickiness, a changed sense of taste, and many other unpleasant symptoms. Dry mouth can interfere with proper nutrition since people who have this condition can have problems with chewing and swallowing foods.
5. Oral thrush
Oral thrush is a condition that occurs when Candida fungi start to multiply actively in your mouth. This condition can manifest itself through:
- White or yellow patches of bumps on your inner cheeks, tongue, gums, or lips
- Slight bleeding
- Burning sensation in the mouth
- Change or loss of taste
This condition can develop because of antibiotic intake, decreased immunity, cancer treatment, and diabetes.
6. Loose dental restorations
It is essential to understand that dental restorations don't last forever. They can become loose, worn out, and even fall off. Loose dental restorations can accumulate debris and bacteria that can result in bad breath and other complications. That's why you need to pay attention to the condition of your oral cavity, maintain proper oral hygiene, visit a dentist at least twice a year, and replace all dental restorations in time.
The bottom line
People with bad breath tend to use chewing gum, mouthwashes, or breath fresheners to hide the odor.. But if you have bad breath caused by oral issues, there is no need to delay your dental appointment. Timely and accurate treatment can help ease your symptoms and improve your condition.
