Bad Breath
Why Do I Have Bad Breath
Sulfur producing bacteria is the main cause for bad breath. Bad breath or halitosis usually develops slowly over time, and you may not even notice you have it.
Plaque and calculus
The plaque and calculus contain odor producing bacteria that causes the smell associated with bad breath. The plaque forms around the teeth but can form on the tongue especially if there are grooves and fissures on the tongue surface.
Tonsils are another culprit for bad breath. Tonsils tend to have grooves and fissures where tonsil stones form from the minerals in the saliva and the bacteria in the mouth. If you often get tonsillitis you need to visit your family physician to have an assessment.
Fungal and viral
Fungal and viral infection can form in the oral cavity, and this can relate to a certain smell. Denture wearers are more prone to fungal infection.
Diet
Food ingested will have a lingering odor, certain foods such as garlic, onions and fish have a dominant scent. While certain habits such as smoking will also leave a residual odor. Acid reflux has a sour odor and putrid smell and is very noticeable.
Brushing
Brushing is the best way to remove the plaque. Plaque can spread onto the tongue and gingiva and therefore gentle brushing and scraping is necessary. A fungal or viral infection may require medication to clear.
Calculus is very tenacious and does not come off with regular brushing. A dental hygienist can remove it scalers.
Frequently Asked Questions
The main cause of bad breath (halitosis) is sulfur-producing bacteria that develop slowly over time. This bacteria lives in the plaque and calculus that build up around your teeth and inside the grooves of your tongue.
Tonsils have natural grooves and fissures where food particles and salivary minerals can easily get trapped. Over time, these trapped elements turn into bad-smelling tonsil stones, which require a physician’s evaluation if you get frequent infections.
Yes, fungal and viral infections in the oral cavity can produce a very specific, unpleasant smell. Denture wearers are particularly prone to these fungal infections, which often require prescription medication to clear up completely.
Strongly scented foods like garlic, onion, and fish leave a lingering odor, while habits like smoking leave a distinct residual scent. Additionally, medical conditions like acid reflux can cause a very noticeable sour and putrid smell in the mouth.
While gentle brushing and tongue scraping remove soft plaque, they cannot remove hardened calculus (tartar). Calculus is highly tenacious and can only be safely removed by a dental hygienist using specialized scaling tools.