Bad breath causes. How to detect bad breath, causes and treatment

Bad breath is called halitosis. In most cases, this is one of the manifestations of dental or other diseases, so refreshing products can only mask it for a while.

Poor oral hygiene can exacerbate odor. Often, such a symptom is a harbinger of life-threatening conditions. About the causes of bad breath in adults and the treatment of halitosis, read on.

Causes of bad breath in adults

Bad breath due to pathological causes always has specificity, that is, it is the same for a particular disease.

Caries and other diseases of the oral cavity cause one kind of smell, problems of the stomach and intestines another. Doctors distinguish these types of halitosis:

  1. Pathological - it is caused by diseases internal organs(extraoral halitosis) or dental problems (oral).
  2. Physiological, which is not associated with diseases and is caused by errors in nutrition or lack of proper oral care. This smell occurs when fasting, smoking, taking alcohol or drugs.

There are also such terms as halitophobia and pseudohalitosis. These conditions are due to psychological reasons. In the first case, there is a fear of the appearance of a smell after an illness, suspicious people are prone to this.

Pseudogalitosis refers to obsessive conditions, when it seems to a person that he constantly smells bad from his mouth - this requires the help of a psychotherapist.

One reason or another bad smell from the mouth in an adult determines the nature, or shade, of halitosis. It, in turn, helps to understand where in the body the problem can be localized.

Pathological factors cause seven types of odor from oral cavity:

  • putrefactive;
  • feces;
  • ammonia;
  • sour;
  • acetone;
  • rotten eggs.

Putrid odor from the mouth

More often indicates dental diseases and pathologies respiratory organs. It can appear due to the accumulation of food debris in a carious tooth or under a prosthesis, due to an inflammatory process. The nature of the smell is due to the decomposition of amino acids under the action of bacteria.

As a result, volatile, unpleasantly smelling substances are formed. Listed below are common causes of putrid odor.

  1. Diseases respiratory tract- sinusitis, tonsillitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, bronchiectasis, tonsillitis, allergic rhinitis or bronchitis.
  2. Diseases of the oral cavity - dysbacteriosis, stomatitis, periodontitis, caries, diseases salivary glands or periodontitis.

Putrid odor can also cause:

  • plaque on the teeth or tartar due to poor hygiene;
  • smoking or alcohol abuse;
  • impaired digestion - while the smell can be especially pronounced.

Its cause is more often localized in the intestine and is due to dysbacteriosis, obstruction, decreased peristalsis and absorption of food.

The smell of feces from the mouth occurs in people suffering from anorexia or, which is also associated with a violation of the digestion process - food is not digested, it begins to rot and ferment.

A fecal shade of smell sometimes occurs with an infectious lesion of the respiratory system.

The smell of ammonia from the mouth

It occurs in diseases of the kidneys and kidney failure when the level of urea is increased in the blood, the molecule of which contains an amino group. Due to a malfunction in the filtering system, the body begins to look for other ways to remove this toxic substance - through the skin and mucous membranes. As a result, the breath smells like ammonia.

The smell of acid

Sour breath in an adult provokes increased acidity of the stomach, which can be caused by various diseases - gastritis, duodenal ulcer or stomach ulcer, pancreatitis.

The sour smell can be accompanied by heartburn and nausea.

The smell of rotten eggs

It also appears with stomach problems, but already in the case low acidity, as well as gastritis, this may be accompanied by belching and a feeling of discomfort in the stomach. Another reason for the smell of rotten eggs from the mouth is food poisoning.

He points to diseases - diabetes mellitus, pancreatitis, as well as some other pathologies, which are described below.

There are several pathogenic causes of the smell of acetone from the mouth in an adult. The most harmless of these may be indigestion, but there is serious illness causing this symptom.

Diabetes

In advanced forms of diabetes, blood sugar levels are very high. At the same time, a large number of ketone bodies are also released into the blood, which are colloquially called acetone (in fact, these are compounds of the same class with a similar structure).

In this state, the kidneys begin to actively remove acetone, so a urine test will show its presence. In addition to the kidneys, ketone bodies are excreted through the lungs, which causes the appearance of a specific smell from the mouth.

This symptom requires immediate investigation and medical care, because it is a harbinger of diabetic coma.

Liver disease

Acetone in the blood and urine can appear in some liver diseases. This organ produces enzymes that break down substances toxic to the body, including neutralizing ketone bodies.

In violation of liver function, the appearance of acetone and, as a result, the appearance of bad breath may occur.

Problems with thyroid gland

Provoking the smell of acetone from the mouth can be a hyperthyroid crisis - a dangerous, abruptly occurring condition. This is an extreme form of development, in which the production of iodine-containing hormones by the thyroid gland is increased. A characteristic acetone smell also comes from urine.

Other signs of a crisis - agitation, hallucinations, delirium, hand tremors, falling blood pressure, muscle weakness, tachycardia, vomiting and fever.

kidney disease

The smell of acetone can occur with kidney pathologies:

  • nephrosis;
  • renal failure;
  • kidney dystrophy.

Violations in the filtering system negatively affect the protein metabolism in the body, the products of its decay are not completely removed, and accumulate in the blood. The smell of acetone when breathing also happens with uric acid diathesis.

What to do with bad breath - treatment and drugs

Since most often halitosis is only a symptom, the disease that caused it requires treatment. To do this, you must undergo an examination by passing tests prescribed by a doctor. Depending on the cause, medication or surgery, For example:

  • the use of antibiotics or NSAIDs for inflammatory disease;
  • removal of tonsils with tonsillitis;
  • puncture of the sinuses of the nose with the accumulation of purulent contents in them;
  • treatment of carious lesions;
  • removal of a diseased tooth or inflamed pulp;
  • hyperthyroidism therapy;
  • treatment hyperacidity stomach or other pathologies of the digestive system.

Thorough oral hygiene helps to reduce the intensity of unpleasant odor - the use of a high-quality brush, dental floss, rinses and toothpastes with triclosan, carbamide peroxide, chlorhexidine, cetylpyridine.

Do not use rinses containing alcohol - they dry the mucosa, reducing the amount of saliva secreted.

Folk remedies for bad breath

  • Rinse your mouth with warm water with essential oils - mint, sage, clove - at the rate of 2 drops per full glass of water. It is strictly forbidden to swallow the solution, and the oils must be of high quality.
  • 10 minutes before a meal, you can chew dried juniper berries, anise or fennel seeds.
  • Rosehip tea - 1 tbsp. l. for 200-250 ml of boiling water, leave for 25-30 minutes.
  • You can rinse your mouth with a decoction of sour, St. John's wort.
  • In case of indigestion, syrup, oil or sea buckthorn juice are useful.
  • With indigestion, tea with ginger and honey, a decoction of chamomile, wormwood or dill seeds, flax seeds help.
  • With low acidity, red and black currants, apples, juice from viburnum berries, honey are useful, and with increased acidity, carrot or potato juice, a mixture of aloe with honey, a decoction of mint and yarrow.

Any folk remedies can not be used uncontrollably, and before using them, it does not hurt to consult a specialist.

Which doctor should I contact?

You can get rid of bad breath much faster if you do not self-medicate, but seek help from a specialist. First, evaluate your condition and determine if there are other symptoms.

Toothache, bleeding or inflammation of the gums and other problems in the oral cavity are a reason to visit the dentist. Go to him if, apart from bad breath, there are no signs - it may be necessary to remove tartar or plaque accumulated on the teeth.

Sore throat, nasal congestion, wheezing, cough - with such symptoms, go to the otolaryngologist. If there is discomfort in the intestines, constipation or diarrhea, heartburn, stomach pain, visit a gastroenterologist.

If the dentist does not find problems with the teeth and gums, and there are no other complaints, except for bad breath, then you should go to the therapist - it is quite possible that the existing disease is asymptomatic.

Bad breath (halitosis) is a big problem for both the patient and others. Despite the obvious ease of detecting it, you may not be aware of the problem, because you yourself do not smell the smell, and loved ones are embarrassed to tell you about it.

Well, let's say they said ... What's next? It often takes years to find the cause and eliminate it! And this entails already emotional suffering and social failure. The prevalence of this trouble, which we will continue to call the medical term halitosis, is extremely high. I don’t have data for Russia, but in the USA, in one or another period of life, every fifth person suffered from halitosis.

How to find your scent

As already mentioned, halitosis is not always obvious to the patient himself. The best diagnosis is a trusting relationship in the family, when a loved one tells you about the problem. But if a loved one has a chronic runny nose or he doesn’t want to upset you for anything in the world, what should you do? There are a few simple tricks to make sure you have or don't have halitosis yourself:

  • if there is plaque on the tongue, the probability of halitosis is already high, the plaque should be brushed off without paste and smelled;
  • clean the interdental spaces with dental floss or a toothpick and evaluate the smell from them;
  • in the morning on an empty stomach, exhale slowly into a glass, and then smell it;
  • press a spoon on the tonsils, evaluate the smell from them;
  • if there is a removable denture, put it in a plastic bag for a few minutes, and then evaluate the purity of the smell in it.

How to calculate the reason

In reputable foreign journals, most of the articles on halitosis are devoted to dental problems. In second place - inflammatory processes in the nose, sinuses and tonsils. The esophagus and stomach, other organs as sources of halitosis are rarely named. Is that really how things are? I don’t think it’s more likely that these articles were written by dentists, and the patient first of all goes to them with such a problem. This, of course, is correct - you should start the search from top to bottom and from simple to complex.

Dentists have studied in great detail the immediate cause of bad breath - the smell is created by anaerobic (oxygen-free) bacteria living in the folds of the tongue, especially its root, in the tongue, in the gum pockets, less often in the lacunae of the tonsils. The most important provocateur of halitosis are dentures. An independent source of halitosis can be chronic inflammation in the nose and its sinuses (nasohalitosis). These causes account for 99% of cases of bad breath. The remaining percentage will go to rare today, advanced forms of diabetes and liver failure (they are easily diagnosed by a blood test).

How to get rid of the smell

The mechanism associated with the multiplication of bacteria in the mouth is not synonymous with specific diseases. The true causes of halitosis may lie far beyond the mouth. In order for anaerobic bacteria to begin to multiply, a nutrient medium without oxygen is needed. Such conditions are created with periodontal disease, periodontitis, caries, pulpitis and other dental diseases.

Therefore, the first task in the fight against halitosis is the sanitation of the oral cavity. And if the elimination of fetid cavities in the teeth is usually achieved in short term, the treatment of periodontal disease may take time. The teeth were cured, there is no periodontal disease, but the smell remains. We begin to sin on the liver or some mythical "slags". But in vain! You need to remember what your dentist told you about oral hygiene.

We clean the language

Sanitation is not only healthy teeth and gums, but also clean, free from plaque pharynx, tonsils and tongue. Cleaning the tongue, especially its far part, is a necessary condition for combating halitosis, regardless of its cause.

For this, special scrapers and brushes are produced, but an ordinary toothbrush has proven itself to be excellent, which should be brushed daily not only teeth, but also the tongue - just like teeth, with paste! If this is not enough, the dentist may prescribe antiseptic solutions and gels with an antibacterial component, such as metronidazole. Finally, you have achieved perfect cleanliness in your mouth and the dentist is ready to fasten a sign “mouth of exemplary content” to your teeth. But the smell is still there. What to do now?

We turn to the ENT doctor

The dentist will look deeper into the mouth and find a post-nasal drip - mucus and, possibly, pus flows down the wall of the pharynx from the nose. This is already a job for an otorhinolaryngologist. The ENT will perform a rhinoscopy (examine the nasal cavity with a video camera), a tomography of the sinuses, find the cause of the inflammation, treat it, and perhaps even need an operation. You have been cured. And the smell ... This smell has not gone anywhere! No, someone was lucky both at the first stage and at the second, but often the plot develops according to the most bizarre scenarios.

For example, I was approached by a patient who went through all the stages described above many years ago, and his dentist decided that it was in the gum pockets, the microbes live there. This non-poor patient bought and installed dental equipment at home for a total of 30,000 euros. The doctor performed procedures on her once a week for 5 years. And the patient, meanwhile, had complaints of belching and heartburn. Gastroscopy showed inflammation of the esophagus, and an ENT on the occasion found reflux-related pharyngitis (inflammation of the throat).

Contacting a gastroenterologist

What is reflux disease? This is a condition when the contents of the stomach are thrown back into the esophagus and even the pharynx, gastric acid burns them, they respond with abundant mucus formation, creating conditions for the development of halitosis. That is, with reflux, the source of the smell is also not in the stomach - in the inflamed throat, tonsils, at the root of the tongue. But the cause of suffering is a violation of the relationship between the esophagus and the stomach. It should be said that this patient had the classic clues typical of reflux disease: belching and heartburn. But this is not always the case. The only manifestation of reflux disease may be halitosis. Sometimes it is accompanied by signs of chronic inflammation of the pharynx and larynx - pain when swallowing, hoarseness of voice, the need to expectorate mucus accumulated in the pharynx. After treating reflux disease, the odor problem was resolved and our patient was able to free his home from medical equipment. Fortunately, more and more ENT doctors are now able to diagnose reflux pharyngitis and laryngitis and refer such patients to a gastroenterologist.

We observe hygiene

As you can see, almost always the cause of the smell is anaerobic bacteria in the mouth and throat, but the conditions for them create diseases not only of the oral cavity, but also of the nose, sinuses, pharynx, esophagus and stomach.

However, the basis of the fight against halitosis, regardless of its origin, is oral hygiene. Clean the tongue every day and especially its root, carefully floss the interdental spaces, keep clean removable dentures- and you will be happy.

Aromas not only motivate or relax, but also cause likes or dislikes. Bad breath makes communication difficult - others keep their distance, they may refuse to hire, it is more difficult to get to know each other. In non-advanced cases, it is quickly relieved by treatment with home and folk remedies.

Causes of bad breath

Halitosis is not a disease, but a medical term for bad breath in humans or animals. The freshness of breath is disturbed by the increased content of sulfur compounds in the exhaled air - a product of the vital activity of microorganisms in the oral cavity.

A common cause of bad breath is tartar, interdental pockets, caries. It is there that microbes multiply and food remains decompose.

Tartar contains microorganisms that cause inflammation of the gums, the cause of bad breath. To restore freshness of breath in this case, it is enough to remove.

Caries-affected teeth accumulate food debris and microorganisms. At home, it is impossible to completely get rid of plaque, to clean out interdental and carious pockets. You need to see a dentist.

Bad breath is associated with insufficient saliva production. One of its functions is to clean and disinfect the oral cavity. Too viscous saliva disrupts self-cleaning processes, microorganisms multiply in the mouth - the cause of bad breath.

Sulfur compounds, which are part of raw and, are absorbed into the blood. Their release from the blood in the lungs is the cause of bad breath.

The reason for the rotten smell is the pathology of the ENT organs: polyps, chronic sinusitis, rhinitis, tonsillitis.

Kidney or liver failure, gallbladder dysfunction - the cause of the smell of fish from the mouth.

Bronchiectasis, lung abscess - the cause of putrefactive breathing.

Vinegar:

  • To get rid of unpleasant odor and whitening, brush your teeth with vinegar once a week.

Tea mushroom:

  • Treat the oral cavity for bad breath by rinsing in the morning and evening with infusion.

The tool removes bad breath, whitens the enamel.

How to get rid of bad breath with folk remedies

The study confirms the high effectiveness of plants in eliminating bad breath, although they are less effective than medications.

Thyme:

  • Brew 1s.l. dry herbs with a glass of boiling water, simmer over low heat for 5 minutes, leave for 6 hours, strain.

Rinse with infusion to get rid of and treat putrid odor from the mouth.

Mint:

  • Brew 1s.l. herbs 500ml boiling water, insist, strain.

Rinse your mouth.

Oak bark. Eliminate and rid the breath of the smell of rinse rot:

  • Brew 1s.l. crushed 500 ml of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for half an hour, leave for 2 hours in a sealed container, wrap well, strain.

St. John's wort:

  • Brew 2s.l. herbs with a glass of boiling water, simmer in a water bath for 15 minutes, let cool, strain.

Treat bad breath by gargling for 7-10 minutes.

Raspberry or strawberry leaves:

  • Pour 50 dry leaves in a liter cold water, insist 8 hours, bring to a boil, simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, insist 6 hours in a sealed container, wrap well, strain.

Rinse for 10 minutes after 2 hours.

Parsley, cloves.

  • Brew a few chopped sprigs, 0.5 tsp. (spice) with a glass of boiling water, let cool, stirring occasionally, strain at the end.

Rinse several times a day.

Recipe 2. To strengthen the gums, get rid of bad breath:

  • Chew fresh parsley leaves.

Horseradish:

  • Dilute horseradish juice halfway with water.

Rinse to eliminate stench.

Eucalyptus:

Rinse to eliminate causes, treat and get rid of stale smell up to 4 times a day.

Air marsh:

  • Brew a glass of boiling water 1 tsp. rhizomes.

Rinse the mouth, chew the powder.

Modified: 08/18/2019

From this article you will learn:

  • bad breath - causes and treatment,
  • what is the smell of acetone, ammonia, etc.
  • how to get rid of bad breath at home.

Bad breath is called the professional term "halitosis". Most often, patients have to deal with the so-called oral form of halitosis. Its causes are various problems in the oral cavity - poor hygiene, carious teeth, inflammation of the gums, chronic inflammation of the tonsils, nasal passages and sinuses, etc.

It is also customary to distinguish - halitosis from systemic causes. In this case, bad breath does not develop due to problems with the oral cavity, nose or sinuses, but is associated with systemic pathology of the body - diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory organs and kidneys, diabetes, taking medications, etc. (Fig. 1).

How bad odor is produced

The first form of bad breath (the so-called "oral halitosis") is usually divided into physiological and pathological forms. For example, a slight unpleasant odor, which is present in most people in the morning, is a physiological norm associated with a decrease in salivation during sleep, an abundance of desquamated epithelial cells, and a decrease in fluid intake. However, a sharp unpleasant odor already indicates the presence of some kind of pathology.

The cause of physiological and pathological oral halitosis lies in the formation of volatile sulfur compounds, diamines, and short-chain fatty acids in the oral cavity. These compounds are formed mainly due to some forms of anaerobic and gram-negative bacteria with proteolytic properties (Fig. 2). The only Gram-positive bacterium that may be involved is Stomatococcus mucilaginous.

Why breath smells: reasons (Scheme 1-3)

When amino acids (such as cystine, cysteine ​​and methionine) are broken down by these bacteria, foul-smelling compounds are released. For example, hydrogen sulfide is formed from cysteine, and methyl mercaptan is formed from methionine (Fig. 3). These amino acids are normally always present in the oral fluid in small amounts, however, with poor oral hygiene, their concentration in the oral fluid increases dramatically.

Those. as soon as you don’t brush your teeth after any meal or snack with candy or cookies, bacteria immediately begin the proteolytic breakdown of proteins / amino acids, and you can immediately say “hello” to an unpleasant smell. The intensity of the unpleasant odor will directly depend on the concentration of hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, diamines, and fatty acids with a small molecular weight released.

Causes of non-oral halitosis –
as we said above, bad breath may not appear due to problems with the oral cavity, but due to various systemic diseases. In each case, there will be a reason for this. For example, in diabetes mellitus, the cause of the unpleasant odor of acetone is the development of ketoacidosis, and in severe kidney pathology, the smell of ammonia may appear from the mouth (we will discuss all systemic causes below).

Bad breath: causes and treatment

So why does bad breath form - the causes of oral halitosis in 85% of cases are: food residues between the teeth and an excess of microbial plaque, decaying carious teeth (including teeth under artificial crowns and bridges), chronic inflammation of the gums. This is all that occurs as a result of poor-quality and / or irregular brushing of teeth.

The second most common group of causes of oral halitosis is inflammation of the tonsils, chronic inflammation of the nasal cavity and sinuses, especially if they contain polyps. The smell from the mouth in a child is often due to these reasons. No need to think that if the nasal passages and sinuses are not in the mouth, then this cannot lead to smell. With all these diseases, there is an increase in mucus secretion + constant infectious growth.

From the nasal cavity, all this flows into the nasopharynx, and then enters the oropharynx - on the root of the tongue, tonsils. Mucus (secretion of the mucous glands) is rich in amino acids, desquamated epithelial cells, pathogenic microorganisms, which makes it an excellent basis for the appearance of an unpleasant odor. By the way, bad breath in smokers is associated, among other things, with abundant secretion of mucus and sputum. Below we will look at all the main reasons and tell you how to get rid of bad breath.

1. Microbial plaque on the teeth, food residues -

Regular brushing of teeth is necessary to remove microbial plaque and food debris. Both are the main source of bad breath in most people. Food residues are a source of amino acids, which, through proteolysis (i.e., putrefaction), are converted by bacteria of microbial plaque into foul-smelling volatile compounds (hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, diamines, etc.).

Microbial plaque, hard tartar -

Moreover, food residues are not only a supplier of amino acids for their transformation into bad-smelling chemicals. Food residues contain carbohydrates that are processed by cariogenic bacteria in the oral cavity into lactic acid, which leads to the dissolution of enamel and the formation of caries. The resulting acid shifts the pH of the oral fluid to the acid side (below 5.5), which is necessary to start the decarboxylation of amino acids to diamines - the second group of foul-smelling compounds.

The more microbial plaque and hard tartar you have on your teeth, the faster the process of decay of food residues and their transformation into volatile compounds of sulfur and diamines. Therefore, it is very important to brush your teeth after every meal, not only with a brush and paste, but also with dental floss. Without flossing, there is no way to remove rotting food debris stuck between the teeth. And we are talking not only about large stuck pieces of meat.

The most dangerous of all are small sticky food residues that do not cause concern and therefore people do not consider it necessary to remove them from the tooth gaps, believing that rinsing will be enough. In fact, such residues cannot be removed not only by rinsing, but also by a toothbrush. This can only be done with dental floss (floss).

How to get rid of bad breath in this case - firstly, you need to make an appointment with a dentist who will remove all dental deposits and polish your teeth. It will cost you about 3500 rubles. Secondly, and without this, everything else will be in vain - it is necessary to completely correct all the shortcomings in oral hygiene. Floss after every meal, avoid snacking between main meals, brush your tongue regularly, etc.

2. Microbial plaque on the tongue -

With these diseases, the amount of pathogenic infection increases sharply in the dentogingival or periodontal pockets, which causes an unpleasant odor or increases its severity. Especially often, an unpleasant odor worries such patients against the background of an exacerbation of the inflammatory process, because. during these periods, suppuration often occurs from periodontal pockets.

How to get rid of bad breath with gum disease
it is best to visit a periodontist first (it is this dentist who is professionally engaged in the treatment of inflammation of the gums). The first stage of treatment, as in the previous case, will be an ultrasonic cleaning of the teeth, which is necessary to remove all microbial plaque and tartar. It is very important to remove not only supragingival, but most importantly, subgingival dental deposits.

After the doctor has removed dental plaque for you, it is prescribed (the course of treatment is usually 10 days). Usually the complex consists of antiseptic rinses and applications of anti-inflammatory gum gel. If teeth cleaning can be done only at the dentist, then anti-inflammatory therapy is carried out by the patient at home - after the appointments and recommendations of the dentist.

4. With inflammation of the gums near the wisdom tooth -

When a wisdom tooth erupts, part of its chewing surface is often partially covered by a hood of mucous membrane. A space is created between the mucous membrane and the crown of the tooth, in which pathogenic pyogenic infection multiplies well. This disease is called pericoronitis or inflammation of the hood over the wisdom tooth. To understand: how to eliminate bad breath in this case, read the article at the link below.

5. Caries and decay of teeth under crowns -

Carious defects in the teeth are an excellent place in which food debris rots and infection accumulates. And here, probably, you don’t even need to say anything more about why the breath stinks in this case, and what needs to be done about it. There can be only one answer - go to the dentist, and it is very strange if someone does not understand this.

The smell of acetone from the mouth in a child and an adult -

1) In children
the smell of acetone or the sweet smell of rotten apples are symptoms of the development of ketoacidosis, which is expressed in a significant increase in the content of ketone bodies in the blood. This can happen for two reasons. The first cause of ketoacidosis is diabetes mellitus. Therefore, a sweetish fruity smell or the smell of acetone from the mouth of a child can be the first sign of type 1 diabetes.

The second cause of ketoacidosis in children is most often the result of errors in the diet. For example, long hungry pauses, or excessive consumption of fatty foods (simultaneously with insufficient carbohydrate intake), as well as insufficient water intake during the day. Also, ketoacidosis in children can develop against the background of somatic, infectious, endocrine diseases and CNS damage.

2) In adults
the smell of acetone from the mouth in an adult: the reasons for this also lie in the development of ketoacidosis. Only now, if we are talking about diabetic ketoacidosis - the smell of acetone or the fruity smell will indicate type 2 diabetes (and not type 1 as in children). If we are talking about non-diabetic ketoacidosis, then most often its causes in adults are alcohol consumption against the background of malnutrition / starvation, i.e. nutritional deterioration.

Thus, if an adult or a child smells of acetone from the mouth, then the first thing to do is to take a blood sugar test and consult an endocrinologist.

Bad breath in a child - other causes

If a child smells from the mouth, then this may be due not only to diabetes mellitus or metabolic disorders. Below we have listed the main reasons for which bad breath most often occurs in a child.

Other most common causes –

Accordingly, in order to determine the cause, you need to consult a pediatric dentist and an ENT doctor. Never go to public children's dental clinics, because if you find Laura normally in a state clinic somehow, but you can, then a dentist - never.

Interesting fact -
eating too much dairy products increases the production of mucus by the mucous glands (in the mouth, in the nasal cavity, sinuses). Therefore, a dairy diet can also contribute to bad breath.

For systemic diseases

In the same way that diabetics can smell acetone or apples in the exhaled air, different systemic diseases of the body can also give different odors to the breath of patients. For instance:

  • sour smell from the mouth bronchial asthma or cystic fibrosis of the lungs
  • the smell of ammonia from the mouth (urea) - with chronic renal failure,
  • trimethylaminuria - gives an unpleasant smell of fish,
  • with cirrhosis of the liver (due to a decrease in its function) - part of the metabolites is removed from the body through the lungs, which leads to the appearance of a specific odor, which may be sweetish or resemble the smell of excrement,
  • the smell of rotten eggs from the mouth - with Lignac's disease (violation of cystine metabolism),
  • the smell of rot from the mouth - the cause may be ulcerative necrotic gingivitis,
  • in violation of the patency of the small or large intestine - the smell of feces from the mouth.

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract -

There are 2 pathologies gastrointestinal tract(GIT), the relationship of which with an unpleasant odor has been proven in clinical research. These include gastroesophageal reflux disease, as well as the presence of a microorganism in the stomach and intestines. Helicobacter pylori, which is one of the causes of the development of peptic ulcer. Moreover, the formation of an unpleasant odor is associated with only three strains of Helicobacter pylori (namely H.pylori ATCC 43504, H.pylori SS 1, H.pylori DSM 4867).

Other H. pylori species do not produce an odor and are therefore not associated with halitosis. It should be noted that large families are at risk of cross-infection with H. pylori. To identify carriage, a urea breath test, determination of serum antibodies, saliva analysis, biopsy, and molecular DNA analysis are used. How to get rid of bad breath with H. pylori - treatment with specific antibiotics (amoxicillin, clarithromycin), as well as drugs from the "proton pump inhibitors" group.

In addition, there are metabolic disorders in the intestines, for example, trimethylaminuria, the presence of which causes a specific fishy smell coming from the exhaled air and, in general, from the whole body. By the way, it is this genetic disease that is the most common cause of undiagnosed unpleasant body odor.

For respiratory diseases

In diseases such as acute and chronic rhinitis, tonsillitis, sinusitis, pharyngitis, bronchitis and bronchiectasis, there is an excessive accumulation of mucus and sputum, which causes accelerated growth pathogenic bacteria and as a result - the appearance of an unpleasant odor. By the way, this cause of halitosis is more common in children (than adults), because. children are more susceptible to developing respiratory infections.

How to properly use dental floss and toothbrush

3. Transformation of volatile sulfur components -

Metal ions with an affinity for sulfur can convert sulfur-containing gases into non-volatile, odorless compounds. For example, zinc lactate or zinc acetate can be used for this. Moreover, the effectiveness of zinc compounds will be higher if the composition of the product simultaneously with zinc contains an antiseptic - chlorhexidine or cetylpyridine (and even better if both, since cetylpyridine enhances the bactericidal effect of chlorhexidine).

An interesting point is that triclosan, in addition to the antibacterial effect, also has a direct action against volatile sulfur compounds. However, the effect of triclosan on volatile sulfur compounds mainly depends on the copolymer with which it is always combined. Below you can find toothpastes and rinses that have this combination.

4. Smell masking -

use of different sprays essential oil peppermint or menthol, mints or chewing gum - has only a short-term masking effect. Basically, they increase the production of saliva, which leads to temporary dissolution of volatile sulfur compounds in saliva. But this only works for a short period of time.

Hygiene products for bad breath

1. Colgate® Total Pro Healthy Breath Toothpaste -

Good afternoon, dear readers of this site. If you are interested in dental and oral care, you will find a lot of interesting things here. The new article is devoted to a topical issue for every person. I will tell you about how to get rid of bad breath and why it occurs in many people.

You have noticed more than once that one of your acquaintances or strangers cannot be called fresh breath. For the same reason, you yourself carry mint gum or a small spray bottle of special freshener with you. So why not learn about what to do with this universal problem?

Bad breath

Even bad breath in medicine has a special name. Dentists use the term halitosis when talking about a similar phenomenon. What is it? Most often, halitosis is the result of poor hygiene. Food leftovers serve as "food" for numerous bacteria. A bacterial coating appears on the tongue and mucous membrane. All this smells not the best way and does not disappear anywhere after rinsing and brushing your teeth. Some people do not think about such a problem for years until someone reprimands them.

The appearance of halitosis also depends on what we eat. Sweet, carbohydrate foods are ideal for the multiplication of numerous pathogens.

Bad breath

Causes of bad breath in adults

The first factor to be mentioned is the specifics of oral care. Not everyone knows how to do it right. We tend to think that the problem is solely with bacteria, which is plaque. Not at all. Our main enemy sits in the deep rear - on the surface of the cheeks and tongue. Which of you, dear readers, takes into account this factor? Not everyone. When the question arises about cleaning the root of the tongue, for many this is perplexing. Yes, it is difficult, and someone even has a gag reflex.

But good hygiene involves cleaning the entire mouth, not just the teeth. The fewer harmful bacteria left, the fewer sources of bad smell.

At the same time, for many people, bad breath is not associated with poor hygiene. They regularly brush their teeth, use it, and even do not forget about the language, but the problem does not disappear anywhere. What does it mean? In most cases, the problem is related to the condition of the teeth and gums. If there are untreated teeth, periodontal inflammation, etc., this leads to the multiplication of bacteria. The products of their vital activity, destroyed by them, are soft and hard tissues- all this becomes biological garbage and, in fact, turns our oral cavity into a dump. As we all know, the smell of a landfill is hardly pleasant.

Another reason is serious diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. If problems occur in the body, sooner or later you will find out about them. With dysbacteriosis and other problems with the intestines, such problems appear regularly.

So, doctors believe that stale foods, soda and fast food, getting into our body, lead to reactions, as a result of which gases are released. They come to the surface through our mouth and have a fetid odor.

Smoking can also be the cause. The smell of tobacco, mixed with fumes or the smell of decomposed food residues, creates combinations that can “impress” an unprepared person. Therefore, there are two options - do not smoke or always brush your teeth, rinse your mouth with fresheners and remove all possible sources of odor. Better not to smoke. Because this process leads to drying of the mucosa. This, in turn, causes a lot of diseases of the oral cavity, the reproduction of bacteria.

Alcohol also causes the aforementioned fume. It does not matter what kind of drink you have consumed, whether it is alcohol-based or created by fermentation. In any case, you are waiting for not only the consequences for the body, but also the “ambre” from the mouth.

There is also a small list of stinky products. Their use is 100% likely to cause an odor.


Meat is another possible reason

This does not mean that you do not need to use the products described above. Just remember that after you have eaten them, you need to not only brush your teeth, but also rinse your mouth, stock up on a freshener.

Age and hormonal changes also often cause halitosis. If you notice something similar, contact your doctor, specialists. modern medicine has the ability to identify the source of the problem and fix it.

If you're wearing , get ready to fight! Brushing teeth with installed correction systems becomes much more difficult. If you do not have a special set of care products available, then an odor will appear. You will have to constantly rinse your mouth with rinse aid. Get yourself an irrigator.

During fasting, an unpleasant sweetish / sour smell may also appear. This is due to the fact that the body begins to break down previously stored fats.

The next reason is banal overeating. Belching carries the smell of undigested food in your digestive tract.

Types of odors and what they mean


Smell from the mouth

How do you know if you have an odor?

The easiest way is to ask others. If your breath can hardly be called fresh, they will tell you about it. But there are other options as well. The simplest is to lick the spoon and let it dry. After a while, see if a raid has appeared on it. Smell. It is likely that you have found the cause. Plaque is formed by bacteria that have migrated from your tongue to a metal surface. It's time to strike back. You can also lick your own wrist. The scent comes on quickly and distinctly.

Treatment

So how do you get rid of persistent bad breath? If we are not talking about some kind of pathology, then you can use simple improvised means.

  1. Chewing gum will not give you a lasting and sustainable effect. Especially if the main source of the smell is not on the teeth.
  2. When choosing rinse aids, always look at the composition. Incomprehensible chemistry with the smell of mint can also lead to drying of the mucosa.
  3. When brushing your teeth, don't forget to floss and clean your tongue.

There is a mass folk methods. For example:

  • chew coffee beans;
  • rinsing with a decoction of oak bark;
  • eating basil leaves;
  • eat fresh apples more often;
  • after onions and garlic, use celery and parsley, which neutralize strong odors;
  • help infusions of calendula, sage, chamomile, strawberry leaf, mint.

Table. Step-by-step instruction to eliminate bad breath.

Steps, photoDescription of actions



Brush your teeth regularly - it is recommended to do this at least twice a day.



One of the highest quality toothpastes in the middle price segment is Mentadent. If you believe the reviews, then it is really good. With this paste, you can not only get rid of bad breath, but also whiten your teeth.



After each brushing your teeth, rinse your mouth with a special mouthwash.



In addition, you can additionally use a mouthwash for teeth - it will help in preventing the development of caries.



Finally, floss regularly to get rid of tartar, which in turn is one of the causes of bad breath.

Note! Don't expect bad breath to go away in a day. Wait a while - it is quite possible that one day you will lose the desire to follow all the recommendations described above. But do not stop, be sure to strive for the goal! With the help of fast-acting products that are sold in stores, you can get rid of an unpleasant smell only for a while.

If the problems are associated with diseases of the internal organs, your main task is to treat them. Consult a therapist, undergo an examination, then - to narrow specialists. As soon as the source is removed, the smell will also disappear.

An important point is the mandatory sanitation. If you have untreated teeth, you can not count on success in the fight against halitosis.

Dental treatment

When you don't know what to do about your bad breath, it's best to ask a professional. Google, of course, is smart, but with it you can easily “think up” a dozen illnesses for yourself, self-medicate, thunder into the hospital. You probably don't need it. Therefore, it is better to entrust the solution of problems to people who have specialized education and experience for this. It is possible that the causes are banal and it is very easy to eliminate them.

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Video - How to get rid of bad breath?