6 Uncommon Reasons Why Your Breath Stinks

Halitosis, or what we know as bad breath, is not always so easy to identify. In fact, you may be the last one to know your breath stinks. Yet, it’s reported that 1 in 4 people suffer the effects of smelly breath. If you already get regular dental teeth cleaning and maintain consistent home care, it’s time to think about some less common reasons you may have stinky breath, and how you can care better for your oral hygiene at home.

1. You May Suffer From Dry Mouth

You may get annoyed by saliva, but it’s actually beneficial for fresh breath. Ever wonder why your breath doesn’t smell as pleasant in the morning as it did after brushing your teeth before bed? It’s because your mouth is much drier as you sleep. Saliva helps to rinse away debris, food particles, and bacteria, so it decreases instances of smelly breath.

If your body doesn’t produce as much saliva, your chances of dry mouth increase, and so does stinky breath. This could be temporary because of a health condition, but there are things you can do at home to help. Drink more water throughout the day, make a habit of rinsing your mouth, and use mouthwash with agents to fight against bacteria.

2. Underlying Health Issues Can Cause Smelly Breath

Medical conditions that change the way your body produces acid or saliva could alter your breath. Take a stomach ulcer for example. Helicobacter pylori is the bacteria responsible for causing a stomach ulcer and its accompanying symptom of bad breath. The same applies to certain forms of gastric cancer. Irregular stomach acid can also contribute to foul-smelling breath.

Acid reflux causes stomach acid backflow into the food pipe. When the stomach acids reach your esophagus, it causes problems with your breath. Diabetes or treatment for it can alter the way your body stores and breakdown fat, leading to halitosis. Other health conditions that cause problems with the nose or throat such as sinusitis, seasonal allergies, or a temporarily blocked nasal passage could make your breath smell.

3. Irregular Bowels May Change the Smell of your Breath

In rare cases, your digestive tract may cause stinky breath. Bowel obstruction or constipation where a blockage occurs will prevent food and liquid from passing through as normal. A symptom of this blockage is nausea and vomiting, which will affect your breath. An irregular diet or eating disorder can cause these types of problems with your bowels and breath.

4. Your Medication Could Cause Bad Breath as a Side Effect

Some medicines actually cause dry mouth, but others cause more reason for bad breath. Treatments that have nitrates product chemicals that cause smelly breath. If you are receiving chemotherapy or taking large amounts of supplements, you may also suffer from bad breath. Some medicines known for causing bad breath are:

• Antihistamines and decongestants.
• Phenothiazines.
• Sedatives, tranquilizers, or antidepressants.
• Diuretics and vitamins.

5. Build-up on Your Tongue May Smell

You’ve heard how important it is to brush your teeth your whole life, but most fail to mention the tongue. Even those who caught on to this rule along the way may need to do more to reduce bad breath. Food and drinks can cause buildup on your tongue, which can lead to bacteria. If brushing your tongue is no longer getting the job done, try tongue scraping or ask for help from a dental professional.

6. Your Diet Can Cause Halitosis

The saying is “you are what you eat” and your breath is no exception to this. Obvious things like highly seasoned food, cigarettes, or coffee will cause temporary bad breath. These smells can even seep through your pores. However, there are other diets that may help your physique and harm your breath. Skipping meals or fasting can cause changes in the way your breath smells.

Low-carb diets, such as the Keto diet can also cause stinky breath. The diet increases your body’s ability to burn fat, but it also boosts the production of ketones. These ketones supply energy to your brain, but also produce foul-smelling breath. In rare cases, a condition, such as Ketoacidosis, will have the same effect at a more severe level.

How to Find a Remedy for Stinky Breath

If you’re over your breath sending people running in the other direction, take a good look at the list above. Document your daily activities such as the food you eat, digestive habits, medicine, or supplements you’re taking or any health conditions. Compare your activities to some of the uncommon causes of halitosis. Next, contact a Melbourne FL dentist to get treatment and start enjoying fresher breath. Reach out to us today to see how our team of professionals can get you on your way to fresh-smelling breath in no time!