How do you know if your bad breath is serious?

Bad breath that just won't go away or a constant bad taste in your mouth can be a warning sign of advanced gum disease, caused by a sticky bacteria that causes cavities called plaque. If you have bad breath, review your oral hygiene habits. Try making lifestyle changes, such as brushing your teeth and tongue after eating, flossing, and drinking lots of water. Bad breath, known medically as halitosis, can be the result of poor dental health habits and can be a sign of other health problems.

Bad breath can also be worsened by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. You can take steps to prevent and treat halitosis at home and with the help of your dentist or doctor. Bad breath affects everyone at some point.

Bad breath

is also known as halitosis or fetus oris.

The smell can come from the mouth, teeth, or as a result of an underlying health problem. Halitosis (bad breath) is mainly caused by sulfur-producing bacteria that normally live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Sometimes, these bacteria begin to break down proteins at a very high rate and odorous volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs) are released from the back of the tongue and throat. About 2.4% of the adult population suffers from bad breath.

Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or family member to confirm your questions about bad breath. Treating underlying medical problems, such as a sinus infection or kidney disease, can also help improve the smell of breath. When your body breaks down fat, the process releases chemicals that can cause an unpleasant smell in your breath. Bad breath, also known as oral odor or halitosis, is a very common and treatable condition in many adults.

In addition, some medications, when broken down in the body, release chemicals that can be carried through the bloodstream to breathing. A diet high in sugar can cause bad breath and could be the culprit of halitosis because of the way that sugars interact with existing bacteria in the mouth. Poor oral hygiene also causes other oral health conditions, such as tooth decay and gum disease, which are also associated with bad breath. Dry mouth can be a side effect of several medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth.

This happens naturally while you sleep, so most people find that their breath smells a little bad when they wake up. Some people worry too much about their breath even though they have little or no smell in their mouths, while others have bad breath and don't know it.