Causes of halitosis
There are dozens of causes of halitosis, some which may seem obvious and others less so. They can be broken down into two categories: the common systemic causes and the less common oral causes.
Systemic causes of halitosis
- A diet featuring low carbs and high protein, yo-yo dieting, crash dieting and other dietary inadequacies or habits are notorious for causing halitosis.
- Sinus disorders
- Throat infections such as tonsillitis
- Stomach ulcers
- Adenoid problems
Halitosis caused by sinus
People who suffer from a sinus disorder such as sinusitis, the common cold or rhinitis will experience post-nasal discharge dripping down the back of the throat. Inevitably, sinus bacteria will cause halitosis. Chronic sufferers of nasal problems will be only too familiar with the odor they emit. If the condition clears up or is remedied by surgery or medication, usually the bad breath will disappear too.
Similarly with the other systemic conditions mentioned above, once the primary health problem is solved, the halitosis will be resolved also.
Halitosis caused by oral issues
Obviously, not following a good code of oral hygiene will result in bad breath. Brushing, flossing and rinsing are important twice-daily activities that will prevent or at least keep at bay the problem of halitosis.
Decayed or broken teeth and dental caries are also responsible for bad breath because it's the bacteria that causes halitosis when it settles into the holes and creates an odor. Abscesses, mouth ulcers and sores also cause foul breath due to bacterial infection. Periodontal disease of the gums is another culprit in the bad breath story.
A regular visit to the dentist will keep minor problems at bay but if anything more significant seems to be an issue, then it should be fixed as soon as possible. Halitosis is one problem, but broken teeth and bad decay should be repaired and abscesses can lead to more serious health complications.
Does fear cause halitosis?
Even a dose of fear in a stressful situation can cause the mouth to dry and the breath to become foul. Until the body returns to a relaxed state, the bad breath will linger.
Nutritional cause of halitosis
It's natural to expect that particularly smelly foods will cause bad breath but it will only last as long as the food lasts in your body. Garlic and other potent substances is renowned for turning normal breath smelly but eventually it will leave the system and breath will return to normal.
Most people experience halitosis at some time and it's usually a transient thing that comes and goes without much concern. For those who have chronic halitosis however, it needs to be looked at to determine what the cause is, and then a solution can be put in place.