Putrid breath: causes and treatment in adults

(halitosis; from Latin halitus - breath and Greek -osis - disease) or halitosis is a term used to describe a noticeably unpleasant odor when exhaling.

It is known to be the third most common reason, after tooth decay and gum disease, that prompts people to visit the dentist.

For a person with halitosis, the symptoms are invisible because the olfactory receptors become accustomed to the stench. In most cases (90%) the cause of bad breath is in the mouth.

The intensity of this phenomenon can change throughout the day due to the consumption of odorous foods such as cheese, fish, seasonings, garlic, alcohol, as well as smoking and, in general, overeating.

Since self-cleaning does not occur in the mouth during sleep, halitosis is usually more intense in the morning (“kittens wrote in their mouth”).

Bad breath can be ephemeral (going away after rinsing with a freshener or brushing your teeth) and persistent.

Sustained (chronic, persistent) halitosis is present in 25% of the population.

Bad breath: physiology or disease?

Bad breath

in medical language it is called
halitosis
. There are physiological and pathological halitosis. Bad breath often appears in the morning. During the night, bacteria and their metabolic products accumulate in the mouth, which causes a bad odor. This type of halitosis is physiological and can be eliminated by simply brushing your teeth. Physiological halitosis also includes odor caused by eating a number of foods, such as garlic, onions, cabbage. This smell will disappear on its own as soon as the substances that caused it are eliminated from the body. But it also happens that an unpleasant odor is not eliminated using hygiene procedures; in this case, most likely, it is of a pathological nature.

Prevention of odor

Hygiene is an important point in preventing oral diseases. Teeth should be brushed twice a day. Circular movements are performed over the entire surface of the crowns. At the same time you need to clean your tongue. Its surface is cleaned with a soft brush. You can purchase a special brush.

If the doctor recommended a paste containing calcium, then you need to strengthen the enamel. Antiseptic agents will reduce bacterial activity. This will improve the condition of the gum tissue. After eating, you should rinse your mouth with clean water. It is important to visit the dentist regularly. Prevention of disease is the best treatment. If the oral cavity is in order, but your breath is not fresh, you need to make an appointment with a therapist. You can get rid of halitosis when the disease that caused it is eliminated.

Bad breath: causes

The most common cause of unpleasant odor is the active activity of pathological bacteria in the oral cavity. Diseases such as caries, periodontitis, pulpitis, periodontitis, gingivitis, stomatitis, as well as the formation of tartar can lead to persistent bad breath.

The second place among the causes of unpleasant odor is dry mouth (the medical term is xerostomia

). Mica, which moisturizes our mouth, has bactericidal properties. It kills bacteria, neutralizes their waste products, rinses and cleanses the oral cavity. If there is not enough saliva produced, bacteria are activated, resulting in an odor. Dry mouth can be a consequence of illness or taking a number of medications. It can also be caused by age: over time, the salivary glands begin to work less intensively, the composition of saliva changes, and its antibacterial properties are lost.

The smell can also be caused by ENT diseases: sore throat, chronic tonsillitis, sinusitis, runny nose.

Another cause of unpleasant odor is diseases of the internal organs. It can be:

• renal failure;
• liver failure;
• gastric diseases (gastritis, stomach ulcer);
• lung diseases.

Smoking is also a cause of persistent bad breath. The smell is caused by substances contained in tobacco smoke and deposited in the oral cavity. The only way to eliminate the unpleasant odor in this case is to quit smoking.

Methods of treating and getting rid of odor

Modern dental treatment methods enable patients to maintain oral health. New materials, drugs, technologies are based on the use of computer technology and digital radiology. Today, lasers are often used and ozone is used to treat the affected areas of the masticatory organs. Sanding is often done with air.

Therapy for bad breath involves identifying and eliminating the cause of the disease. A specialist can determine the provoking factor. Since more than 65 percent of problems relate to diseases of the oral cavity and poor hygiene, you should visit the dentist on time. It is necessary to thoroughly clean the crowns, spaces between units, and tongue. For this purpose, dental floss, rinses, and tongue brushes are used. You need to choose the right toothpaste and use fluoridated products on the advice of your dentist.

What is bad breath like?

Peculiarities of odor can indirectly indicate the source of problems.

Hydrogen sulfide smell

(the smell of rotten eggs) indicates rotting protein substances. This smell is typical for digestive problems. A persistent hydrogen sulfide odor may indicate gastritis with low acidity or a stomach ulcer.

Sourish smell

and a corresponding taste in the mouth is noted with gastritis with high acidity. This smell may appear at an early stage of the disease, when other symptoms are not yet present.

Bitter smell

and the taste in the mouth is typical of liver and gallbladder diseases. An additional symptom is the appearance of a yellow coating on the tongue.

Smell of acetone

and the accompanying sweet taste in the mouth is a characteristic symptom of diabetes.

Urine smell

from the mouth indicates a disease of the genitourinary system (primarily the kidneys or bladder).

Stool smell

from the mouth can occur due to intestinal diseases (dysbacteriosis, intestinal dyskinesia, intestinal obstruction).

Putrefactive

bad breath is typical for dental diseases (inflammatory processes of teeth and gums).

Reasons for a strong odor from a person?

Interesting fact: Did you know that of all earthly creatures the only creatures that do not sweat are dogs, cats, piglets, and birds. They do not have sweat glands, and thermoregulation occurs through the respiratory system. Therefore, when dogs actively breathe after a summer walk, this helps to cool down.

This does not happen in humans; sweating is a natural and vital process for us. But many people are not satisfied with their body odor; girls especially suffer from this. After all, wet, yellow stains on clothes, an unpleasant aroma mixed with perfume, drive you into complexes and spoil your mood. But not everyone wants to get rid of the causes and symptoms of unhealthy odor by changing their lifestyle.

What could be the reasons for the appearance of a harsh spirit?

• Poor nutrition. It is not for nothing that it comes first, because this is the main and most common problem. Spicy, rich seasonings; fast food on a regular basis; fat meat; chocolate in large quantities - have the effect of enhancing heat transfer. The body begins to work more actively to digest the food received, which means that all other processes are launched. Sweating takes on a more pungent and sour odor.
• Bad habits. Alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs affect increased sweating. Thermoregulation is disrupted, toxins accumulate in the body, and as a result, bad body odor.
• Synthetic clothing. If it seems that you are starting to smell “not so good”, then reconsider your wardrobe. Clothing with low breathability prevents moisture from completely evaporating. The body sinks under the material, and the process of sweating is inhibited.
• Personal hygiene. It is important to take care of yourself, since the presence of hair on the genitals and in the armpit area does not allow sweat to fully evaporate and retains an unpleasant odor.
• Lack of sports. If you don’t exercise or are overweight, your body won’t thank you. Minimal physical strain will be accompanied by profuse sweating. Because the body will take the opportunity to expel toxins from itself as long as the person is doing something.
• Diseases. “In American clinics, the method of diagnosing diagnoses using dogs is becoming very popular. Dog handlers say that by the smell of sweat, a dog can detect whether a person is sick with something or not. Upon sensing an unfavorable odor from the patient, the dog sits up and barks.” Diseases and symptoms provoke the body to release toxins more actively for a faster recovery. An unhealthy odor from people indicates decay within the body. Therefore, do not delay treatment until later if your body aroma has changed significantly.

Bad breath: what to do?

The fight against bad breath begins with careful adherence to good oral hygiene. If the source of the odor is bacterial activity, proper brushing of your teeth will help. Teeth should be brushed not only from the outside, but also from the inside, and also treat the chewing surface of the teeth. The brush angle should be 45°. Using dental floss, hard-to-reach areas between teeth are treated. If your teeth are in poor condition, simply brushing your teeth will not solve the problem. You will need to visit a dentist and remove tartar, and if your teeth have caries, cure them. It is recommended to visit the dentist at least once or twice a year.

It is also necessary to combat dryness of the oral mucosa. If you feel dry mouth, take a few sips of water and rinse your mouth. However, it should be remembered that frequent dry mouth can be a symptom of serious diseases. However, like the unpleasant smell itself. Therefore, if you have persistent bad breath, you should definitely see a doctor and undergo an examination.

Treatment

Treatment for halitosis depends on the cause of its occurrence. First of all, you need to see a doctor who will rule out the possibility of a serious illness and advise you on what to do if you have bad breath during hunger. Before going to the doctor, you can use the simplest and safest ways to combat halitosis:

• Using chewing gum, flavored candies, or sprays for fresh breath;
• Drinking plenty of fluids;
• Maintain personal hygiene, brushing your mouth in the mornings and evenings. You can rinse your mouth with a weak solution of baking soda 3 times a day.

If you have persistent bad breath, it is recommended to loosen the diet or abandon it altogether, as negative consequences for the stomach or liver may occur.

Pharmacy drugs

Modern pharmacology offers a wide selection of medications and prophylactic agents that can relieve bad breath. The list of such funds includes:

• Preventative toothpastes. The most popular toothpastes are Lakalut-active, Forest Balm and Colgate. For the best effect, you can brush your teeth 2 times a day, and you need to clean not only the tooth enamel, but also the tongue and gums;
• Mouth rinses. Some of the rinses recommended by dentists are Septogal and LISTERINE TOTAL CARE. It is necessary to rinse the mouth 3 times a day, or after each meal;
• Antiseptic sprays - for example, Triclosan, Chlorhexidine. They are used on the same principle as rinses;
• Tablets and pills. The most versatile and safe tablets against bad breath are Septogal brand pills. This product not only eliminates unpleasant odors, but also acts as an antiseptic. You can take Septogal 4 times a day, dissolving 2 tablets at once.

If a patient has serious dysfunction of the body, it is necessary to take medications aimed not only at relieving bad breath, but also at treating its cause.

Folk recipes

The problem of bad breath has not arisen in modern times. Many centuries ago, our ancestors had their own methods of dealing with this unpleasant phenomenon. Below are some effective recipes from the archives of traditional medicine:

• In the morning, on an empty stomach, rinse your mouth with warm water. After another 5-10 minutes, eat 1-2 medium apples. This method is especially good for those who are fasting due to diet, since the enzymes contained in apples help break down fats and maintain iron levels in the blood;
• 2 tablespoons of any vegetable oil (preferably olive) with ½ tablespoon of table salt (preferably iodized). Let the resulting mixture sit for 1-2 days. Add to warm water (proportions - 1 teaspoon of mixture to 1 glass of water), rinse the mouth every morning for 5 minutes for 3 days. After this procedure, it is not recommended to eat for half an hour;
• Mix in proportionally equal quantities: Chamomile flowers;
• Oak bark;
• Birch leaves;
• Nettle;
• St. John's wort.
• The resulting herbal mixture is brewed like tea. Take ½ cup per week. This decoction, in addition to being antihalitic and antiseptic, also has a sedative effect and can be used as a sedative.

Important to remember! Folk remedies are good, but you should not resort to them without first finding out the cause of halitosis and accompanying discomfort. Each of the remedies prescribed above is not able to cure the cause of bad breath in case of hunger. If the reason simply lies in the breakdown of fats, then even chewing gum will help. But if the unpleasant odor is persistent, gives off putrid notes, is accompanied by nausea and dizziness, it is necessary to give preference to official medications.

Pharmaceutical preparations for bad breath.

Pharmacies offer a number of products to help cope with unpleasant odors. Before purchasing, be sure to check that they have antibacterial properties, regardless of the type.

• lollipops will easily freshen your breath for a couple of hours due to their antiseptic properties, which help destroy even bacterial membranes;

• balm contains chlorhexidine, which destroys all bacteria, and essential refreshing oils will make your breath fragrant;

• spray has antimicrobial properties, refreshing the oral cavity and simultaneously providing a disinfectant effect.

Diagnosis

For self-diagnosis, use dental floss.

It is quite easy to determine whether a person has a problem with bad breath, even at home. Objectively, it is best to use another person for this, who will tell you the result.

You can use dental floss to detect plaque by running it along the tooth. Take a closer look to see if a yellow coating has formed on it, and after 30 seconds, sniff. The aroma that appears will be the result.

Medical institutions use special devices that are designed to detect the amount of unpleasant substances in exhaled air. To more clearly identify the root cause of halitosis, the following methods are used:

• examination of the oral cavity for inflammation, caries and redness;
• blood test to detect inflammatory processes in the body and increased sugar levels in diabetes;
• urine test to detect problems with the renal system;
• examination of the gastrointestinal tract and liver in the form of ultrasound and gastroduodenoscopy;
• inspection of the lingual dorsum.

The doctor must take an anamnesis. As you can see, one dentist cannot make an accurate diagnosis, since the reasons may not only be dental problems, so an otolaryngologist, pulmonologist and gastroenterologist often come to the rescue.

Treatment of disgusting oral odor

If the source of the unpleasant odor is the oral cavity, it will require complete sanitation.

If the source of the smell of rot is diseases of the internal organs, then the first step in treatment should be aimed at solving these problems. Here, doctors of individual specializations already come to the rescue, and this happens according to generally accepted standards.

It’s another matter when bad breath is affected by dental diseases.

1. If there is a problem with diseased teeth, they are treated or removed if they cannot be saved. The dentist independently determines the recommended course of action.
2. Carrying out professional teeth cleaning - the procedure helps to remove all plaque on and under the gums.
3. Treatment of inflammation of the gums, sanitization of the mouth, replacement of fillings and dentures if they are installed incorrectly.
4. Training from a hygienist in proper independent oral hygiene.
5. Correction of salivation to normal when it decreases.

Causes of halitosis

All factors contributing to the occurrence of halitosis are divided into 2 groups:

• Local
  – related to the condition of the oral cavity;
• General
  – related to the health of internal organs and systems.

In most cases, the appearance of halitosis is due to dental reasons. Bad breath appears due to anaerobic bacteria living in dental plaque and tartar. These microorganisms release various volatile compounds (hydrogen sulfide, dimethyl sulfide, ammonia, trimethylamine, etc.) that affect the freshness of breath.

Dental causes of bad breath

To the main reasons

Local halitosis includes:

• poor oral hygiene, accumulation of bacterial plaque, formation of hard dental plaque;
• caries and its complications;
• stomatitis, periodontitis, periodontal disease;
• glossitis, gingivitis, cheilitis, pulpitis;
• alveolitis, peri-implantitis, pericoronaritis, etc.

Local halitosis may be accompanied by the following symptoms

:

• looseness, swelling, bleeding gums, formation of gum pockets;
• tooth mobility;
• white, yellow coating on the oral mucosa;
• an increase in the volume of gingival papillae between the teeth;
• pain, swelling of the oral mucosa.

Bad breath in an adult can occur when wearing braces or dentures. This happens if the structure is installed incorrectly, food debris accumulates under it, and insufficient care is provided.

Bad breath can occur in both adults and children. The causes of halitosis in children are the same as in adults. Therefore, treatment should begin with a visit to the dentist. Often, to eliminate bad breath from a child, it is enough to teach him how to brush his teeth correctly and cure caries.

Non-dental causes of halitosis

In practice, it often happens that to eliminate bad odor it is enough to just remove plaque and tartar. Dental deposits contain a large number of pathogenic microorganisms, which not only provoke bad breath, but also cause inflammation of the mucous membrane and periodontal tissue. However, sometimes a bad odor has a more complex cause.

Result of tartar cleaning

General halitosis is caused by the following reasons:

• diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (gastroesophageal reflux, ulcerative disease of the stomach and duodenum, gastric carcinoma);
• ENT pathologies (sinusitis, sinusitis, rhinitis, foreign body in the nasal passages);
• diseases of the respiratory system (bronchitis, pneumonia, bronchiectasis, etc.);
• systemic diseases (hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, renal failure, leukemia);
• endocrine disorders (metabolic syndrome, diabetes mellitus, endemic goiter).

Bad breath will not disappear if you mask it with aromatic flavors of chewing gum or dental rinses. Initially, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the root cause of the unpleasant manifestation.

Additional symptoms will help the doctor understand why your breath smells. If the dentist is sure that the problem that has arisen is not related to the health of the oral cavity, you should consult with a therapist. Based on the medical history and clinical manifestations, the therapist will refer you to a specialist - an otorhinolaryngologist, gastroenterologist, nephrologist, psychotherapist, endocrinologist, for an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment.