Health Guide©

BAD BREATHE (Halitosis)

The condition is usually due to bacteria that act on food residues in the mouth. Bad breathe is often more embarrassing than harmful, and can easily be prevented with good oral hygiene. However, there maybe serious causes of bad breathe, such as digestive, kidney, liver and respiratory disorders or sinusitis (infection of the facial bone cavities), which may need medical attention. Liver failure gives the breath a mousy odor; kidney failure makes the breath smell like urine, and severe uncontrolled diabetes makes the breath smell like nail polish remover (acetone).

Symptoms:

• Bad smell observed when a person exhales or speaks.

Common causes:

• Poor oral hygiene. Improper flossing and brushing leave food particles on and in between the teeth, under jacket crowns or bridges.
• Morning mouth (smells that accumulate while a person sleeps).
• Gum disease.
• Tooth abscess or decay; build up of plaque (an invisible film of bacteria).
• Sinusitis.
• Smoking.
• Certain types of food (e.g., cheese, coffee, garlic, onions, meat, vegetables, etc).
• Certain medications (e.g., anti-histamines, diuretics, tranquilizers, etc).

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