When it comes to bad breath, a lot of people assume that it’s merely an embarrassing problem, and not linked to your general health in any way. However, a lack of oral hygiene doesn’t simply cause bad breath. There are a wide number of health-related issues that can impact your health.
The fact is that at one point or another, almost everyone will experience bad breath. For some people, bad breath is a daily problem; for others, it happens every so often and isn’t a significant cause for concern. Around 30% of the population has experienced bad breath at one point or another – it’s a fairly common health complaint and usually a benign one.
Commonly, bad breath occurs after waking up in the morning or after eating food containing high amounts of garlic or onion. Coffee and smoking can also cause bad breath, as can being on a calorie-reduced diet. A lot of people don’t notice that they have bad breath and learn about it from a friend, family member, or co-worker who mentions it to them, causing upset and embarrassment.
What causes bad breath, and how is it linked to your general health?
Internal and external factors: Bad breath can originate both inside and outside of your mouth. Often, bad breath is caused by bacteria that collect on the teeth and tongue and cause foul-smelling breath. Often, poor oral hygiene can lead to bad breath, as can dental problems such as cavities, mouth abscesses, and gum disease.
Infections: Infections and illnesses, such as tonsillitis, respiratory infections, sinusitis, and bronchitis, as well as gastrointestinal disease, can cause bad breath.
Disease: Certain diseases in their advanced stages, such as liver and kidney diseases, can also cause bad breath to occur. Uncontrolled diabetes can also cause bad breath to occur. However, it’s important to note that in these cases, a person will almost always have other symptoms alongside their bad breath.
How to manage bad breath?
When it comes to managing bad breath, the most crucial factor is to have the underlying cause diagnosed. If you are taking care of your teeth and gums, and your oral hygiene is up to scratch, then the chances are that it is not an oral hygiene problem causing your breath issues.
In the first instance, you should make an appointment to see your doctor and advise you about the steps you should take to manage your bad breath. They may be able to suggest a treatment route or refer you to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for further testing and support.
If you are concerned that it is a dental issue, then seeking support from Dr. I. Stephen Brown should be the first step. He will be able to check your teeth and gums and determine whether there is an oral problem causing your bad breath, or whether there is another underlying cause that needs to be investigated. Contact us to schedule an appointment today!