Nobody likes bad breath, but what causes it?
Bad breath (oral malodor) is most often caused by excessive bacteria on the tongue or an infection in the mouth.
The textured cells on the tongue can trap and harbor bacteria like a kid's legos in a shag carpet. When this layer of bacteria accumulates, it can start to smell.
Using a tooth brush on your tongue, or regularly using a tongue scraper can help to remove this film. There are a variety of metal, plastic, and other scrapers on the market. Using a tongue scraper has a variety of benefits; aside from generally keeping the oral cavity cleaner, it can even improve your senses of taste and smell!
Bad breath might also be caused by gum disease, or the inflammation of the gums and supporting tissues. If harmful anaerobic bacteria get beneath the gums, they can cause an infection, inflammation, and bad breath. While daily flossing and proper tooth brushing can prevent this sort of infection, professional cleanings performed by a dentist or dental hygienist might be required to clean out infection-causing bacteria.
Less likely, internal factors relating to gastrointestinal or medical illnesses such as sinus infections, diabetes, liver and kidney disorders, acid reflux, and other diseases may be contributing to the odor. If bad breath still exists after good oral hygiene and regular dental visits, a medical examination by a physician may be necessary.
If you notice that you have bad breath or you have been told that you have bad breath, consult with your dentist or hygienist. Should the problem still exist after proper oral hygiene, a referral to your medical doctor may be necessary.
Written by: Camile Periat, RDH and James Calcagno, DDS
Edited by Serena Calcagno 6.16.2020
