We all have bad breath at some time – whether its morning breath or the bad breath we get after eating
strong foods like garlic or onion. But getting rid of it is a quick fix: brushing our teeth, gargling with
mouthwash, or using a strong sweet usually does the trick. However, when it seems like you always have
bad breath (chronic halitosis), it can be embarrassing and make you self-conscious. While poor oral
hygiene is a common cause of bad breath, it can also be caused by a number of other health conditions.
We explore the most common causes, and how to keep bad breath away.
What causes bad breath?
Bad breath is commonly caused by poor oral hygiene and ear nose throat (ENT) conditions, as well as by
other medical conditions. These include:
Mouth conditions
- Poor oral hygiene. The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. If you don’t
brush, floss and have regular dental cleanings, harmful bacteria can invade your mouth and
multiply, leading to halitosis, cavities and gum disease. - Gum disease or gingivitis. Gum disease is inflammation of the gums caused by the buildup of
plaque on teeth. - Dry mouth. Your mouth needs saliva to keep it clean, and certain medications, salivary gland
problems, and even smoking can exacerbate it. Research has shown that long-term smoking
significantly reduces the flow of saliva and increases oral and dental disorders associated with
dry mouth, gingivitis, and halitosis.
ENT conditions
- Tonsillitis. Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, which can be caused by a virus or
bacteria. Besides bad breath, other symptoms include a sore throat, red, swollen tonsils, white
or yellow patches on the tonsils and difficulty swallowing. - Gastroesophageal reflux disease. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is a long-term
condition where acid from the stomach comes back up into the esophagus (the tube that carries
food from your mouth to your stomach), causing symptoms like heartburn, a sour taste in the
mouth, feeling like there is a lump in the throat and bad breath. - Sinusitis. Sinusitis is inflammation of the sinuses, which occurs when they get blocked with
fluid. Common symptoms include sinus pain, a sour taste in your mouth, feeling like there’s a
lump in your throat, postnasal drip and swollen/ tender glands in your neck. - Strep throat. This highly contagious bacterial infection gives you a sore throat, fever, swollen
lymph nodes and bad breath.
Sore throat and bad breath are symptoms that can co-occur in tonsilitis, GERD, sinusitis and strep throat.
Other medical conditions
- Nose infections
- Throat infections
- Respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia and bronchitis. The excess mucus production
can cause bad breath. - Liver disease
- Kidney disease
- Head and neck cancers
How can I keep bad breath away?
The treatment for chronic bad breath varies based on the underlying cause. However, it’s best to maintain
good oral hygiene at all times. Here are some general ways to keep bad breath away:
- Brush your teeth twice a day, when you wake up in the morning and before sleeping in the
evening. - Floss your teeth daily.
- Clean your tongue with your toothbrush or tongue scraper.
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash which helps to get rid of the bacteria.
- If you wear dentures, take them out at night and clean them before inserting them the next
morning. - Keep the saliva in your mouth moving by eating foods that require a lot of chewing.
- Drink lots of water.
- Stop smoking.
- Visit your dentist regularly for checkups.
If you’re also suffering from a sore throat, click here on how to treat a sore throat at home.
References
- American Dental Association. Bad Breath 6 Causes (and 6 Solutions). MouthHealthy.
Accessed on 25 March 2024. Available from https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/badbreath - Cherney, K. (2023). What Can Cause Concurrent Sore Throat and Bad Breath?. Healthline. Accessed on 4 April 2024. Available from https://www.healthline.com/health/sorethroat-with-bad-breath
- Cleveland Clinic. (2022). Bad Breath (Halitosis). Cleveland Clinic. Accessed on 25 MarchAvailable from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/17771-bad-breath-halitosis
- ENT and Allergy Specialists. (2023). Three ENT Disorders That Cause Bad Breath. ENT and Allergy
Specialists. Accessed on 25 March 2024. Available from https://entandallergyspecialists.org/three-ent-disorders-that-cause-bad-breath/ - DerSarkissian, C. (2020). Bad Breath, Bad Taste In Mouth And Sore Throat. MedicineNet.
Accessed on 25 March 2024. Available from
https://www.medicinenet.com/bad_breath_bad_taste_in_mouth_and_sore_throat/multisympto
ms.htm - Rad, M., Kakoie, S., Niliye Brojeni, F., & Pourdamghan, N. (2010). Effect of Long-term Smoking on
Whole-mouth Salivary Flow Rate and Oral Health. Journal of dental research, dental clinics,
dental prospects, 4(4), 110–114. https://doi.org/10.5681/joddd.2010.028 - WebMD. 2023. Dental Health and Bad Breath. WebMD. Accessed on 25 March 2024.
Available from https://www.webmd.com/oral-health/bad-breath