In all cases, the occurrence of bad breath is a symptom of a something else. In some cases, the bad breath may be due to some systemic disease. Commonly, the condition is caused by the production of sulfur compounds that are really nothing more than bacteria waste products. In other cases, the bacteria responsible for infections in the mouth, throat or teeth are the cause of bad breath. Here is a list of the many causes associated with bad breath problems:
- Diabetes
- Pneumonia
- Bronchitis
- Sinus Infection
- Infection in mouth, throat, teeth
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Gum disease
Aside from the oral bacteria that typically live at the back of the tongue and produce the sulfur compounds, gum disease problems are the second most common cause of bad breath. At its most basic, gum disease is little more than an infection in your gingival tissue caused by anaerobic bacteria. In its mildest form, gingivitis, the common symptoms are:
- Inflammation of gum tissue which may redden as condition progresses
- Bleeding gums
- Gums sore to the touch
- Chronic bad breath
Indeed, bad breath is perhaps the most obvious symptom of gingivitis aside from the bleeding gums which only tend to do so in the latter stages before the condition spreads below the gum line. The condition generally begins when you fail to remove the plaque from your teeth that forms mostly as we sleep as this is a time when saliva flow is reduced.
Saliva is a natural defense against the bacteria responsible for gum disease and the bad breath that accompanies it. Well-oxygenated and loaded with enzymes that help produce antibodies, saliva will control the bacteria population under normal circumstance and even slow the development of plaque. However, there are a number of behaviors and products that many of us use that will slow salivation rates and put us at greater risk for bad breath and gum disease, including:
- Stimulants such as those commonly used in laxatives and diet pills
- Caffeine
- Alcohol
- Smoking-smoking especially makes it hard to prevent bad breath and gum disease because not only does it cause dry mouth and lower saliva levels, it also depletes the body of Vitamin E and other nutrients vital for the immune system
Any of the behaviors listed above may speed the progression of gum disease and you may notice that your chronic bad breath is becoming more severe and harder to mask with typical remedies such as mints or sprays. If you do not treat the condition, bad breath will be a minor symptoms because gum disease may ultimately cause your teeth to fall out and the bacteria may spread to other systems in your body, including the heart and brain.
Thus, the ultimate bad breath solution in such a case is to first treat the gum disease and then the halitosis problem should disappear afterwards. So if you have halitosis problems when you never did before, it is very likely that your bad breath is a symptom of gum disease, and it is very important to see a dentist immediately to initiate treatment.
