Bad Breath Causes
A quick reference to the most common sources of halitosis and what each one points to.
Oral sources
Tongue coating, gum disease, untreated cavities, food trapped under bridges, and poorly cleaned dentures account for the large majority of cases.
Dryness
Reduced saliva from medication, mouth breathing or dehydration allows odor-producing bacteria to multiply.
Diet
Garlic, onion and low-carbohydrate diets create odors carried through the bloodstream to the lungs, which brushing will not touch.
Medical causes
Chronic sinus infections, tonsil stones, reflux, liver and kidney conditions and uncontrolled diabetes each produce characteristic odors.
Where to start
A dental exam rules out the most common and most treatable causes first.
Written by the team at Uptown Dentistry, led by Dr. Nicki Tajalli, DDS, in Uptown Houston. This article is general information, not a substitute for an exam.