Most Common Bad Breath Causes and the Best Treatments
Having bad breath is uncomfortable and can interfere with daily life. Around 30% of people suffer from this problem. There are many different solutions to this problem that differ based on the bad breath causes.
This article will outline several bad breath causes and offer the best treatment options.
Table of Contents
What's Causing Bad Breath?
Figuring out what’s causing bad breath will depend greatly on your specific situation. It can be something as simple as a need to brush your teeth more, or it could be a more complicated issue like a systemic disease.
Hopefully this article give you the answer to what’s causing bad breathe and offer the best treatment option. Many bad breath causes have a simple treatment option that will help.
However, if you are concerned about your bad breath and can’t seem to find the bad breath causes or a good treatment option, you should schedule an appointment with your dentist.
Most Common Bad Breath Causes
Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common of the bad breath causes is poor oral hygiene. Bacteria builds up on the teeth and tongue with plaque. Bacteria consume the food we eat and produce acid. Active bacteria will cause short-term bad breath.
Treatment: Brush two times a day for two minutes. This will remove the food, plaque, and bacteria from two-thirds of the tooth’s surface. Flossing will clean the other third of the tooth. Brushing the tongue with a wet toothbrush or tongue scraper will also help fix bad breath.
For more tips on improving your oral health, check out our Healthy Smile Guide.
Gum Disease
Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the gums and bones that support teeth.
Symptoms of gum disease are bleeding gums, sensitivity, bone loss, and bad breath. The aggressive bacteria involved with gum disease commonly cause a foul odor and taste.
Treatment: Gum disease is chronic and will continue to damage your teeth, gums, and bone if left untreated. With the help of your dentist, stability is achievable. When your oral health is stable, the bad breath associated with gum disease will go away.
Our Gum Disease Guide has more information on treating periodontal disease.
Reflux Stomach Issues
Bad breath can be a symptom of certain stomach issues. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disorder (GERD), heartburn, and reflux produce excess acid produced in the digestive tract. This can cause a sour, foul odor to come from the mouth.
Treatment: Fixing the acid imbalance causing the reflux will treat and clear up the bad odor. There are several different medications, prescribed and over the counter, to help find relief.
Having a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle will also help treat most stomach issues. If these options do not work, there are a few surgical routes available.
Diet
Certain foods can impact the way your breath and mouth smell. Garlic and onion come with strong smells that collect in the mouth. Compounds in these foods are also absorbed into the bloodstream and lead to the lungs.
Certain seafood like canned tuna become smelly when oxidized. Strong seasonings like cumin, turmeric, and spicy chilies can also cause smelly breath.
Treatment: The good thing is this is one of the easy bad breath causes to fix. Just avoid these foods. There are also some foods that help with bad breath. Several fruits and vegetables like apples, melons, and strawberries are said to help.
Fennel seeds, ginger, green leafy foods, fresh herbs, cinnamon, and green tea all help promote good breath.
Oral Infections
Active infections in the body that are not healing properly or getting worse may produce a bad odor. The most common causes of this order are necrotic tissue or high bacteria. Types of oral infections that are a bad breath causes are:
- Thrush: This infection is caused by an overgrowth of Candida albicans. It forms a curd-like buildup on the cheek, tongue, roof of mouth, or throat.
Treatment: To treat Thrush, an antifungal medication can be prescribed. Also good oral hygiene, warm salt water rinses, staying hydrated, and a healthy diet will help.
- Hand, Foot, Mouth Disease: Being most common among kids, this viral infection can cause painful mouth sores, bad breath, and rashes.
Treatment: Although there is no direct cure, you can treat the symptoms. Use over-the-counter pain medications, rest, and stay hydrated. Contact your doctor with any concerns.
Nose & Throat Issues
Bad breath may be coming from your nose and throat and releasing through your mouth. Infections such as sinus infections, post-nasal drip, and tonsil stones can create a bad order and taste in the mouth.
These issues can also be related to illnesses such as the common cold, flu, and Mono (Mononucleosis).
Treatment: Supporting the immune system can help heal most common nose and throat illnesses. Getting plenty of rest, staying hydrated, and having a supportive diet are important. Warm salt water rinses, using a neti pot, and using a humidifier can also help.
Talk with your medical doctor today to make sure you do not need any prescription medication.
Tobacco Products
Using any tobacco product will cause bad breath. This is due to drying out the tissues in the mouth and increasing bacteria activity. This also increases your risk of cavities, gum disease, and cancer.
Treatment: Smoking cessation is not only important for your oral health, but for your total body health. Contact your medical doctor today for help with quitting your addiction to tobacco products.
For more tips for quitting smoking and the use of other tobacco products, check out the Smoke-Free Website.
Dry Mouth
Having a dry mouth and a compromised saliva flow is a common cause of bad breath. Dry mouth can cause cavities, gum disease, oral infections, and an increase in the mouth’s bacteria activity.
These all lead to bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by dehydration, cancer therapy, and medication.
Treatment: There are many ways to treat dry mouth to get rid of bad breath. Staying hydrated, avoiding caffeine and alcohol, and using dry-mouth products can help. Consult your doctor today.
For more information on the causes and treatment for dry mouth, check out our articles 10 Reasons Why Your Mouth Is Dry and Identifying Your Reason For Dry Mouth.
Systemic Diseases
Certain systemic diseases can be some of the bad breath causes if left untreated. Periodontal disease is one that we listed above which is linked to other systemic diseases. Respiratory infections, liver failure, and diabetes can also lead to bad order from the mouth.
Treatment: Treatment can depend on the systemic disease. Working with your doctor to maintain stability will be the best cure for bad breath and overall health.
For more information, check out our Diabetes and Oral Health article
Certain Medications
There are over 1,100 medications that have dry mouth listed as a side effect and can lead to bad breath.
Some medications that can cause dry mouth are
- antidepressants
- decongestants
- benzodiazepines
- diuretics
- bronchodilators
- analgesics
- antihistamines
- blood pressure and heart medications
Treatment: Talk to your medical professional if you experience dry mouth as a side effect. Always consult your doctor before making any changes to your prescribed medications as directed by the pharmacy.
Recommendations on Bad Breathe Causes and Treatments
If you are having an issue figuring out your bad breath causes and can’t find a proper treatment option, it’s best to consult with your dentist.
As we outline above, some time the bad breath causes can be as simple as smoking or as complicated as a systemic disease. Your dentist will be able to diagnose your specific situation and give you the best treatment options.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are 4 possible causes of bad breath?
4 possible causes of bad breath are poor oral hygiene, certain medications, your diet, and nose and throat issues. However, there are plenty more bad breath causes that can be the reason for your bad breath.
What causes horrible smelling breath?
There are many causes for horrible smelling breath, but Periodontal disease, or gum disease, is one of the most common that causes truly terrible breath.
What is the most common cause of bad breath?
The most common cause of bad breath is also the easiest to fix. Simply having a poor oral hygiene routine. Brushing and flossing daily can really help with bad breath.
Take Home Smile Store
Visit our Take Home Smile store for educational brochures and other fun printables to help with oral hygiene. All products can be customized to fit your dental needs.
