What Diseases Can Cause Bad Breath?

It is normal to have bad mouth breath when you wake up or after eating certain foods. The mouth odor usually goes away with changes in oral hygiene, diet, and home remedies. However, if the issue persists, you should contact the dentist in Phoenix, AZ. This is because diseases in the body may cause bad breath or halitosis. Continue reading about halitosis.

Diseases That Can Cause Halitosis

Oral bacteria often cause malodor arising from the mouth. They break down proteins and release sulfur compounds which have a bad smell. However, the bad smell can be a result of diseases. Some of the conditions that contribute to halitosis are:

1. i. GERD( Gastroesophageal reflux disease)

This is the chronic reflux of stomach acids. The acids produced by the digestive tract have a sour smell that causes bad breath.

1. ii. Gingival inflammation

Gingivitis and periodontitis are gum infections that lead to bad breath. When the gum tissues become severely infected, periodontal bone is rapidly lost. This leads to an intense mouth odor. Apart from causing halitosis, periodontitis also affects the appearance of the gums. Therefore, you will need to see cosmetic dentistry in Phoenix to improve your look.

1. iii. Respiratory tract infections

You may have bad breath when sinus or nasal secretions pass into the oropharynx due to these infections. Other issues, such as tonsillitis, aspiration pneumonia, and bronchiectasis, also cause halitosis.

1. iv. Xerostomia

It is also known as dry mouth. Xerostomia is a condition that causes bad breath. It occurs due to inadequate saliva in the mouth, which leads to the accumulation of dead cells. The cells decompose, leading to bad mouth breath.

1. v. Cancer

Bad breath can be caused by oral, laryngeal, oropharyngeal, and lung cancers. The smell may be due to the sores associated with cancer or increased polyamines in the cancer cells.

1. vi. Diabetes type 1

Bad mouth odor is usually an early sign of undiagnosed systemic disorders. For example, it may indicate the onset of diabetes mellitus.

1. vii. Ulcers

The helicobacter pylori bacteria commonly cause peptic ulcers contributing to bad breath.

1. viii. Kidney or liver disease

You may have chronic bad breath when suffering from kidney or liver diseases. When the disorders are untreated, they cause an ammonia-like or fishy smell to come out of your mouth.

Bad Breath Treatments

When you have bad breath, the experts at the dental offices in Phoenix, AZ, will diagnose and determine its origin. Diagnosis involves smelling the breath from your nose and mouth and rating its odor on a scale. The treatment for your halitosis will depend on its cause.

The dentist may advise you to brush, floss, brush the tongue or use mouthwashes. If the condition is due to poor oral hygiene, they will perform a professional deep cleaning.

In addition, if it is due to gum disease, they will treat or manage the disease to ease the bad breath.

However, if other health conditions cause bad breath, the dentist will refer you to your primary doctor. The doctor will treat the disease and get rid of the bad breath.

Benefits of Treating Bad Breath

There are several advantages of seeking treatment for bad breath at dental offices in Phoenix, AZ. Some of them are:

1. Addressing halitosis helps dental experts diagnose and treat any underlying medical problems. This improves your overall health and ensures you do not develop bigger issues.
2. Bad breath makes social interactions harder. This is because you lack the confidence to speak when surrounded by people. Treating the condition boosts your confidence improving your relationships.
3. Oral odor makes you and those around you uncomfortable. The offensive smell is associated with a lack of hygiene. Getting the problem treated eases the discomfort.
4. Treating bad breath helps avoid embarrassment when interacting with friends, colleagues, or family. After treatment, you will not muffle your mouth or face the other side when speaking to them.
5. Treating halitosis caused by poor oral hygiene helps prevent tooth decay and gum disease. The dentist in Phoenix, AZ, will eliminate the plaque and tartar that cause the bad odor.

Have you tried various home remedies for bad breath unsuccessfully? Then you should seek dental professional help from our team at On Pointe Dentistry. Schedule an appointment or visit our dental office for an affordable dentist in Phoenix.