Bad breath is the side effect of the action taken by certain bacteria that live in the mouth, the tongue and the tonsils.
Everyone has an occasional problem with this sickness which is why Americans spend more than $200 million a year on products to freshen the breath.
It may also be persistent (chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.
Here are some of the causes: 1) Food or beverages We will discuss this in the next section.
2) Foreign body in the nose Do you have small children? This is a situation that requires immediate treatment to prevent serious consequences.
3) Gum disease/Gingivitus This is inflammation of soft tissue surrounding the teeth.
This condition is much more serious than a single abscess.
Gingivitis is the precursor to periodontitis which is the final step of gum disease that can ultimately lead to toot loss.
This will be discussed in depth a bit further on.
4) Hepatic encephalopathy This is a rare but possible cause as a result of liver disease.
5) Impacted tooth An impacted tooth is one that rebelliously will not erupt into its proper position and most often results in infection, which we know is another cause of bad breath.
6) Pharyngitis This is an inflammation in the area at the back of the mouth known as the Pharynx as usually occurs because of a virus.
This is the same area where you begin to feel a slight "scratchiness" at the onset of a cold or flu.
The bacteria involved can lead to more serious streptococcus, commonly known as "strep throat.
"If it progresses it can be highly contagious and because it is bacterial it will produce bad breath.
7) Poor dental hygiene We have discussed some of the leading causes of bad breath, but nothing matches poor dental hygiene as a leading cause of bad breath.
Lack of brushing, flossing and regular checkups are the most important weapon for ridding oneself of bad breath and preventing more serious conditions from developing.
8) Sinusitis This is an inflammation of the sinuses, with or without pus and can carry along with it not only bad breath but a terrible taste in the mouth.
9) Tobacco smoking Tobacco smoking encourages growth of bacteria by drying the mouth.
As we discussed previously, dry mouth is one of the leading causes of bad breath.
10) Zenker's diverticulum This is not a "common" cause, but does exist and can be very serious if not treated.
It involves the perforation of the esophageal mucous membrane and does cause bad breath.
Everyone has an occasional problem with this sickness which is why Americans spend more than $200 million a year on products to freshen the breath.
It may also be persistent (chronic bad breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting some 25% of the population in varying degrees.
Here are some of the causes: 1) Food or beverages We will discuss this in the next section.
2) Foreign body in the nose Do you have small children? This is a situation that requires immediate treatment to prevent serious consequences.
3) Gum disease/Gingivitus This is inflammation of soft tissue surrounding the teeth.
This condition is much more serious than a single abscess.
Gingivitis is the precursor to periodontitis which is the final step of gum disease that can ultimately lead to toot loss.
This will be discussed in depth a bit further on.
4) Hepatic encephalopathy This is a rare but possible cause as a result of liver disease.
5) Impacted tooth An impacted tooth is one that rebelliously will not erupt into its proper position and most often results in infection, which we know is another cause of bad breath.
6) Pharyngitis This is an inflammation in the area at the back of the mouth known as the Pharynx as usually occurs because of a virus.
This is the same area where you begin to feel a slight "scratchiness" at the onset of a cold or flu.
The bacteria involved can lead to more serious streptococcus, commonly known as "strep throat.
"If it progresses it can be highly contagious and because it is bacterial it will produce bad breath.
7) Poor dental hygiene We have discussed some of the leading causes of bad breath, but nothing matches poor dental hygiene as a leading cause of bad breath.
Lack of brushing, flossing and regular checkups are the most important weapon for ridding oneself of bad breath and preventing more serious conditions from developing.
8) Sinusitis This is an inflammation of the sinuses, with or without pus and can carry along with it not only bad breath but a terrible taste in the mouth.
9) Tobacco smoking Tobacco smoking encourages growth of bacteria by drying the mouth.
As we discussed previously, dry mouth is one of the leading causes of bad breath.
10) Zenker's diverticulum This is not a "common" cause, but does exist and can be very serious if not treated.
It involves the perforation of the esophageal mucous membrane and does cause bad breath.
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