So you’ve tried everything. Brushing. Flossing. Chewing mints. You still have bad breath. Maybe it’s time to look at what could be causing it. There are many illnesses that can lead to bad breath. Here are 10.
Bad breath is most likely caused by something minor. But if it’s not going away, try these tips and changes you can make. According to Cleveland Clinic if your bad breath continues it may be time to visit your dentist. So read on to learn more about what could be causing your bad breath.
Quick Answer: Which Conditions Cause Bad Breath?
The majority of them originate from your mouth. Gum disease, dental issues and lack of saliva. After that would be your throat, nose and lungs. Stomach or body wide problems can also cause bad breath such as acid reflux, diabetes, kidney problems and liver problems. Cleveland Clinic states that most people have poor oral hygiene as the cause for their bad breath. Make sure to check that first.
Here are the 10 conditions at a glance:
- Gum disease
- Tooth decay and tooth abscess
- Dry mouth conditions, including Sjogren’s syndrome
- Tonsillitis and tonsil stones
- Sinus infections
- Pneumonia and other chest infections
- Acid reflux (GERD)
- Diabetes
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
Next, let’s look at each one, starting close to home.
The Diseases That Cause Bad Breath, From Common to Rare
Each section below explains the link and what to do about it. Remember that bad breath alone does not diagnose any of these. A dentist or doctor needs to examine you.
Problems in Your Mouth
1. Gum Disease
Gum Disease is number one. According to the Cleveland Clinic Plaque can cause Gingivitis on your teeth and tongue. If left untreated can lead to Periodontal Disease. NHS states that Bad Breath and bad taste in your mouth can be a sign of Gum Disease. Bleeding and swollen gums as well. According to the ADA if you have bad breath that won’t go away or a bad taste in your mouth it could be advanced gum disease.
According to the ADA you can reverse gum disease if caught early. With a professional cleaning and brushing/flossing daily should correct it. More advanced cases require further treatment. Rudra Dental Smilelature here in Salem offers gingival flap surgery for advanced gum disease. It states that this deep cleans the infected areas to help promote healthy gums. They also offer their Pioon soft tissue laser for certain gum treatments.
2. Tooth Decay and Tooth Abscess
Bad breath can be caused by holes in your teeth as well as infections. When you have cavities food gets stuck in them and bacteria grow on it. If you develop a tooth abscess this can cause bad breath too. Its basically a poulp of pus built up from an infection. According to Cleveland Clinic if left untreated the infection can travel to your jaw and other parts of your body. Mint will not cover the smell from an abscess. You need to see a dentist to get it fixed. They may fill the tooth or perform a root canal. Sometimes they will need to remove the tooth.
3. Dry Mouth Conditions, Including Sjogren’s Syndrome
Saliva rinses food and bacteria away. Without enough of it, odor builds. The ADA says dry mouth can come from certain medications, salivary gland problems, or breathing through your mouth. Livestrong notes that chronic dry mouth, called xerostomia, can signal diseases such as uncontrolled diabetes or Sjogren’s syndrome, an autoimmune disorder that affects the salivary glands. It also raises your cavity risk, which adds another source of odor. Cleveland Clinic suggests drinking plenty of water and chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free mints to boost saliva. It also says to avoid alcohol, caffeine, and tobacco, which can dry the mouth.
Throat, Nose, and Chest Conditions
4. Tonsillitis and Tonsil Stones
The NHS names tonsillitis as a medical cause of bad breath. Tonsil stones are a related problem. Cleveland Clinic says food stuck in the tonsils can harden into bad-smelling calcium deposits at the back of the throat. Livestrong says they often look like white or yellowish, pea-sized chunks, and that you should see a doctor if they will not dislodge. A sore throat, fever, or swollen tonsils also deserve a doctor’s visit.
5. Sinus Infections
Cleveland Clinic says infections in your nose and throat can lead to foul-smelling fluid at the back of your throat. Here is why: sinus infections drain into the throat, and that mucus carries bacteria and infection-fighting cells. Cleveland Clinic says over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines and nasal saline rinses can help clear a sinus infection. Livestrong adds that, according to the CDC, a sinus infection typically does not need antibiotics. See your doctor for a proper diagnosis before you take any.
6. Pneumonia and Other Chest Infections
Cleveland Clinic says pneumonia can cause you to cough up fluid that smells bad, and that smell reaches your breath. Chest infections are more serious than a stuffy nose. A cough with foul-smelling mucus, fever, or shortness of breath needs medical care, not a mouthwash.
Digestive and Whole-Body Conditions
7. Acid Reflux (GERD)
The NHS lists acid reflux among the medical causes of bad breath. Cleveland Clinic explains that gastroesophageal reflux disease lets stomach acid leak back into the esophagus and sometimes into the mouth. The fluid may taste sour and smell bad. Cleveland Clinic experts also suggest asking your dentist to check for acid erosion on your teeth. If you have frequent heartburn along with bad breath, tell your doctor.
8. Diabetes
There are 2 ways that Diabetes will effect your breath. One way is that you are more susceptible to getting gum disease which can cause bad breath. Low levels of insulin can also cause your body to go into ketosis. This can be dangerous if it progresses to Diabetic Keto Acidosis and cause your breath to have a fruity odor. If your breath smells fruity and you have diabetes you may be going into Diabetic Keto Acidosis. Seek medical assistance right away. By keeping your blood glucose at a healthy level and taking care of your oral hygiene you can reduce bad breath caused by diabetes.
9. Kidney Disease
Healthy kidneys filter toxins from your blood. Cleveland Clinic says kidney disease may stop that filtering from working as it should, and the effects can show up as halitosis. Bad breath alone does not signal kidney trouble. Doctors look at blood and urine tests, plus other symptoms. If you have known kidney problems and notice a lasting change in your breath, mention it at your next appointment.
10. Liver Disease
It helps get rid of toxins as well. Cleveland Clinic states that if you have liver disease you can also experience bad breath. Just like with the kidneys its just something to note and not go by it alone. Your doctor will look at other factors as well.
Rare but Serious: Head and Neck Cancers
Cleveland Clinic says cancers in the mouth, throat, and voice box can cause bad breath. This is uncommon, but the warning signs deserve attention. The NHS says to ask for an urgent dentist appointment if you have ulcers or red patches in your mouth, or a lump in your mouth or on your lip. Do not wait for it to go away on its own.
What Different Breath Smells May Hint At
According to Cleveland Clinic they can be sour or have an over sweet odor. If you have bad breath from a chronic illness it may smell fishy or like rotten eggs. If your breath is sour you could be experiencing dry mouth poor oral hygiene or acid reflux. If you have diabetes and your breath has a fruity smell see your doctor immediately. Use your smell as a diagnostic tool but not more. There is no way for you to know if you have a disease by smelling your own breath. Have someone you trust smell your breath says Cleveland Clinic.
When to See a Dentist and When to See a Doctor
Follow this order:
- Start with your dentist. Cleveland Clinic says to schedule a dental visit if you practice good hygiene and still have halitosis. The NHS also says to see a dentist if bad breath does not go away after a few weeks of self-care, or if you have painful, bleeding, or swollen gums, toothache, or wobbly adult teeth.
- Let the dentist rule out mouth problems. They can smell your breath, examine your teeth and gums, and spot gum disease or decay.
- See your family doctor next if the mouth looks healthy. Cleveland Clinic says a doctor can then check for sinus, reflux, tonsil, kidney, liver, or blood sugar problems.
- Seek urgent care for emergency signs. Fruity breath with diabetes, a lump in the mouth, or breathing trouble should not wait.
How a Dentist Helps With Disease-Related Bad Breath
A dentist can find causes you cannot see, such as hidden decay, gum pockets, or an abscess. Cleveland Clinic says a dentist can diagnose oral causes by smelling your breath and examining your mouth, and may refer you to a gum specialist for advanced gum disease.
Rudra Dental Smilelature lists several services that match these causes. Its root canal treatment removes infection from a damaged tooth. It lists routine check-ups, laser dentistry, and geriatric dentistry that covers denture solutions and gum disease prevention. Cleveland Clinic says to clean dentures and other oral appliances as your dentist directs, so that care matters if you wear them.
Next Steps
Try tightening up your oral hygiene for 2-3 weeks. Brush soft, floss, use a tongue scraper and make sure you’re drinking enough water. If you still have bad breath after this schedule make an appointment to see your dentist. Then your doctor if the dentist can’t find anything.
At Rudra Dental Smilelature we can help you check your teeth, gums and dentures. Any licensed dentist will be able to do this as well. Don’t cover up a bad odor with breath mints for months at a time. Your body could be trying to tell you something.
FAQs
Can a disease cause bad breath even if I brush well?
Yes. Gum disease, cavities, tonsil stones, sinus infections, reflux, diabetes, and kidney or liver disease can all affect your breath. If the smell lasts despite good hygiene, see your dentist first, then your doctor.
Which condition is the most common cause?
Mouth problems such as gum disease, cavities, and dry mouth are most common. Cleveland Clinic says poor oral hygiene is the main cause overall. Whole-body diseases are less common but worth checking if your dentist finds a healthy mouth.
Can diabetes cause bad breath?
Yes. Diabetes raises your risk of gum disease, which causes odor. Low insulin can also trigger ketoacidosis, which can make breath smell fruity. Fruity breath in someone with diabetes needs urgent medical attention.
Do kidney or liver problems cause bad breath?
They can. Cleveland Clinic says these organs may not filter toxins as usual, and the effects can show up as halitosis. Bad breath alone does not diagnose either condition, so a doctor needs to run tests.
Who should I see first for persistent bad breath?
See a dentist first. They can rule out gum disease, decay, and infection. If your mouth is healthy, your family doctor can check for sinus, digestive, or other whole-body causes.