This three-part article series provides an overview of the various factors, ailments and conditions that could be causing your breath to turn sour.

Welcome to the second installment of this three-part article series on the various causes of halitosis, or bad breath. In Part 1, an experienced Colorado Springs dentist explained that bad oral hygiene, tooth decay and gum disease (gingivitis and periodontitis) were the most common causes of bad breath. “Oral bacteria produce wastes that contain smelly sulfurous compounds… so the more bacteria there are in your mouth; the more likely your breath will be bad. Tooth decay and gum disease are also caused by oral bacteria, which explains why bad breath is one of the key symptoms of these conditions,” explains the dentist.

But, what if you do look after your teeth properly and still suspect that you have bad breath? According to Colorado Springs dentists, bad oral hygiene isn’t always the culprit behind halitosis. There are a number of other ailments that can cause your breath to smell bad, both directly and indirectly through the faster build-up of bacteria.

The Causes of Bad Breath, Continued…

4. Sinus and Respiratory Problems

It can be a terrible nuisance: you give your teeth a thorough scrub and not even 10 minutes later, you suspect that your breath has gone bad. Why else would your colleague be looking at you through rolled up eyes and a wrinkled nose? It’s not that this is a one-time problem either… it’s something you’ve consistently noticed and yet, the dentist tells you that you are in excellent oral health.

“In many cases, the solution to halitosis is not a visit to the oral hygienist,” explains the dentist in Colorado Springs. “Rather, it’s a visit to your doctor! There are a host of general health issues that can cause bad breath and an infection in the respiratory tract (especially the sinuses) is a key candidate. Bacteria in your throat, sinuses, larynx and/or lungs also produce sulfurous wastes and these gases taint your breath as you inhale and then exhale.”

The solution is therefore fairly simple: visit your medical doctor for a diagnosis and then treatment!

5. Dry Mouth

Another key cause of bad breath is a condition known as “dry mouth.” As the name suggests, this condition is characterized by the impeded or slowed production of saliva in the mouth. “The problem with this condition, especially when it’s a chronic problem, is that it renders your teeth and gums more vulnerable to oral bacteria,” explains the dentist in Colorado Springs. “Saliva is a natural anti-bacterial and your body’s first line of defense against the microorganisms that cause cavities and tooth decay.”

What causes dry mouth?

“Alcohol causes dry mouth, as do habits such as smoking and chewing tobacco. There is also a host of medications that can cause dry mouth, including anti-histamines. If you’re on any chronic medications for dry mouth, you should speak to your treating physician about an alternative drug or a different dose so that you can perhaps offset the side effects. If this is not an option for you, you will have to do what you can to mitigate the risks of dry mouth, such as drink more water, brush more frequently and perhaps rinse with an anti-bacterial mouthwash,” advises the Colorado Springs dentist.

Stay Tuned for Part 3

Stay tuned for the final installment of this three-part article series to find out more about the different causes of halitosis, or bad breath.