Dental Issues That Cause Bad Breath

Posted on: 27 December 2018

Bad breath isn't the worst dental problem to have, but it is one of the most apparent and is an issue that everyone around you will notice. However, bad breath is simply a symptom of the problem can be caused by a wide range of issues. These issues can be as simple as poor dental hygiene or as serious as an infection.

Tooth Decay

Tooth decay is a common cause of bad breath. The bad breath will not be apparent during the initial stages of decay. During this time, the bacteria is still attaching to the hard enamel of the teeth. However, as the decay makes its way deeper into the softer parts of the tooth, the bacteria that cause the bad breath to become more prominent.

Failed Dental Restorations

Dental restorations don't always work the first time around, and one of the signs that the restoration has failed is bad breath. Restorations, such as bridges and crowns, may have food particles or decay underneath them, and these can cause bad breath. This may also be accompanied by a bad taste in the mouth. A dentist will have to perform checks to ascertain the cause of the problem.

Gum Disease

Gum disease is a complex cause of bad breath. During the early stages, there may be food-caused bad breath. This is caused by food debris that gets trapped in spaces in the gum pockets. Foods with dense proteins, such as meat and dairy, can cause particularly pungent breath due to the presence of volatile sulfur compounds.

In the latter stages of gum disease, blood-caused bad breath may be observed. This happens as the bleeding gums provide anaerobic bacteria with access to blood. The smell, therefore, comes from decaying immune and blood cells.

Oral Infections

There are many different types of oral infections that can cause bad breath, including:

  • Mouth ulcers

  • Peri-implant disease

  • Dry sockets

Oral infection can be caused by many factors, including an exposed wood following tooth extraction, bone loss around an implant, physical damage to some part of the mouth, or another similar cause.

Oral Cancer

Oral cancer can be a cause of bad breath. Unfortunately, oral cancer is usually only detectable in its later stages. Therefore, if your bad breath has been a persistent problem for you, you should check yourself for other signs of oral cancer or visit a medical professional as quickly as possible for an examination.

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