Causes of bad breath, how to get rid of it. The smell of rotten eggs. You need to clean your tongue thoroughly

Bad breath is a very common phenomenon among us. The reason for this is various diseases digestive system.

Bad breath is also a problem when communicating with other people. Modern medicine calls this condition when a person's breath smells extremely unpleasant - halitosis. In Latin - Halitoz.

In fact, halitosis cannot be called independent disease, rather this is a sign pathological processes, occurring in the body. In the absence of proper oral care, the bad odor intensifies, causing discomfort not only to the patient, but also to others.

In this article we will look at why bad breath occurs in adults, what are the main causes of this symptom, and how to get rid of it at home.

How to check if your breath smells?

Many people who have unpleasant, repulsive breath are not even aware of it. existing problem. It's good if close person or a friend will point it out. But this is not always possible, relatives are afraid of offending their loved one, and colleagues prefer to reduce communication with him to a minimum. But the problem remains.

There are several ways to test yourself:

  1. Wrist test. Here it will be enough to lick your wrist and let the saliva dry. The smell you will smell after a few seconds is the smell of the front of your tongue. As a rule, it is much weaker than what it really is, because the front part of the tongue is cleaned by our saliva, which contains antibacterial components, whereas rear end The tongue, in turn, is the same breeding ground for unpleasant odors.
  2. You can try breathe into your palm and instantly smell what you exhale. Or try to stick it out lower lip, pushing your jaw forward a little, roll your upper jaw inward and exhale sharply through your mouth, then smell what you exhaled.
  3. Spoon test. Take a teaspoon, turn it over and run it over the surface of your tongue several times. There will be some white residue or saliva on the spoon. The smell coming from them is the smell of your breath.

TO additional features may include the formation of plaque on the tongue, inflammation of the mucous membrane, sensation bad taste in the mouth. These symptoms do not directly indicate halitosis and may vary depending on the cause of the disease and the presence of complicating factors.

Causes of bad breath

The causes of halitosis can vary significantly, but before you look for them, you need to make sure that this smell really exists. Modern doctors There are several types of halitosis:

  1. True halitosis, at which bad breath objectively noticed by people around. The reasons for its occurrence may be related to physiological characteristics, insufficient oral hygiene, metabolic processes in the body, or be symptoms of certain diseases.
  2. Pseudohalitosis is a subtle unpleasant breath that can be felt when close contact with a person. Usually in such a situation the patient exaggerates the problem and it can be solved quite simply by increasing oral hygiene.
  3. Halitophobia is a person’s belief that his breath smells, however, this is not confirmed by either the dentist or the people around him.

Also according to statistics:

The most basic thing to understand is that main reason the unpleasant odor coming from a person’s mouth is a vital activity anaerobic bacteria(that is, bacteria that grow and reproduce without oxygen). Their waste products - volatile sulfur compounds - are those very smelly gases that smell very unpleasant and lead to bad breath in humans.

Why does bad breath occur?

But there are many reasons that lead to the proliferation of these bacteria. We will analyze them in detail:

  1. Poor oral hygiene. Most often, putrid breath is associated with poor oral hygiene, for example, when a person does not use dental floss to clean the interdental spaces from food debris. Surely many of you have felt the stinky breath of co-workers who had a snack at work but did not brush their teeth.
  2. Gum diseases(and periodontitis). The cause of these ailments is poor oral hygiene, soft microbial plaque and hard tartar. When the amount of toxins secreted by plaque and tartar microorganisms exceeds the capabilities of the local immunity of the oral cavity, inflammation develops in the gums.
  3. . Carious dental defects are filled with a huge amount of pathogenic microflora and there are always food residues left in them. This food and tooth tissue quickly begin to rot and as a result, your breath smells bad. If you want to eliminate bad breath, first of all you need to treat your bad teeth.
  4. Tartar development– dental plaque, which seeps in mineral salts (calcium salts) with its hardening and development chronic infection in it. More often, tartar is the result of gum pathology ( gum pockets), which loosely cover the necks of the teeth and the spaces between their lateral edges.
  5. Digestive system diseases( , ). In this case, this problem is caused by the pathology of non-closure of the esophageal sphincter, when odors from the stomach penetrate directly through the esophagus into the oral cavity.
  6. . Those who suffer chronic inflammation tonsils - the same bad smell from the mouth. If you have weak immunity or there is a lot of infection in the oral cavity, then in this case periodic inflammation of the tonsils can develop into a sluggish chronic form inflammation. People who suffer from this form of inflammation of the tonsils often complain of terrible breath.
  7. - an inflammatory disease that is accompanied by the formation of ulcers on the oral mucosa. Sores and tight white coating are a source of halitosis.
  8. – an inflammatory process in the membrane of the tongue, which can occur together with gingivitis or stomatitis.
  9. Intestinal pathology(enteritis and). As a result inflammatory processes penetrate into the blood in the intestines toxic substances, which the body removes, including through the lungs, as a result of which bad breath appears.
  10. Another common cause of halitosis is dry mouth: saliva does not moisturize or cleanse the mouth by washing away plaque and dead cells. Thus, the cells located on the gums inner surface cheeks and tongue, decompose, causing halitosis. Dry mouth can be caused by alcohol consumption, certain medications, and pathologies. salivary glands and so on.
  11. Medications: Many medications, including antihistamines and diuretics, can cause dry mouth, which can cause bad breath. Such odor and treatment are often interrelated - a number of medications can lead to bad odor (insulin, triamterene, paraldehyde and many others).
  12. Quite often the reason bad smell from the mouth are some products. Of course, onions and garlic are rightfully considered record holders here. However, after noisy feasts with a large number meat and fatty foods Bad breath may also appear. True, it goes away pretty quickly.
  13. Tobacco products: Smoking and chewing tobacco leaves chemicals that linger in the mouth. Smoking can also accelerate other causes of bad breath, such as gum disease or oral cancer.

Whatever the various causes of bad breath, the source of all problems is bacteria. They are always in our oral cavity, creating a certain microflora there. Any living organism, and bacteria are no exception, when feeding, produces waste products, which are volatile sulfur compounds. It is these foul-smelling sulfurous volatile compounds that we smell from our mouths.

Experts believe that one of the most obvious reasons for its appearance is white matter, accumulating on the back of the tongue. It occurs when a person brushes their teeth incorrectly, leaving their tongue unattended.

How to treat bad breath

In case of bad breath, treatment is a separate topic for discussion, but what can be done to prevent it from appearing is important to know even for those who do not suffer from such a problem. After all, bad breath, if it appears, cannot be masked with mint candy.

As noted above, food particles remaining after eating are soil for the growth of bacteria. That is why a lot depends on oral hygiene. It is recommended to ensure that after meals There were no pieces of food left in the mouth, which, among other things, contribute to the formation of plaque and tartar. This requires:

  • Brush your teeth with a soft-bristled toothbrush three times a day to remove food particles remaining in the mouth and stuck in the teeth;
  • clean the interdental spaces with dental floss;
  • clean the back of the tongue daily with a soft-bristled brush;
  • to stimulate salivation, regularly eat fresh fruits and vegetables and adhere to a diet;
  • To eliminate xerostomia (dry mouth), rinse your mouth warm water;
  • visit the dentist regularly.

At home, rinsing can help get rid of bad breath. vegetable oil. To do this, take a small portion of oil into your mouth and hold it there for 10-15 minutes. The oil has good property dissolve all rotting products. Then spit and rinse your mouth thoroughly. You can't swallow this oil! If the procedure is carried out correctly, the oil should become cloudy.

Infusions of herbs such as peppermint, string, caraway, and wormwood have the ability to remove unpleasant odors. To clean the pockets in the gums, it is good to rinse after meals with a 3% solution of hydrogen peroxide, diluted 1:1 with water. Peroxide will clean even the deepest pockets well and eliminate the problem.

In addition to this, there are a large number modern means quick disposal from bad breath: aerosol fresheners, chewing gum, lollipops, etc. They are distinguished by both rapid efficiency and low stability due to their short duration of action.

Which doctor should I contact?

If you experience bad breath, you should contact your dentist and go through professional cleaning teeth, cure diseases of teeth, gums, get rid of tartar.

If there is no effect, you should consult a gastroenterologist, as well as more in rare cases- see an ENT doctor (for sinusitis or chronic rhinitis), a pulmonologist (for bronchiectasis), an endocrinologist (for diabetes).

Features and causes of bad breath in adults and children. Folk and traditional ways that will help you quickly eliminate it. Tips for preventing halitosis.

Contents of the article:

Bad breath is a problem that worries every 3-5 inhabitants of the earth and causes severe discomfort. It occurs equally often in both older and younger people, and even children are susceptible to it. It doesn't count separate disease, acting only as a symptom. IN dental practice This phenomenon is called “halitosis.”

How does bad breath appear?


The problem arises if a person does not take care of the oral cavity, the condition of the stomach, pancreas and intestines, and ignores visiting the dentist. The situation is aggravated by the use of low-quality toothpastes and irregular teeth brushing, which should be done at least twice a day, and preferably after each meal. This must be done in the evening, because during the night the food rots, which manifests itself in the stench in the morning.

Overeating sweets is also dangerous, because the acids contained in them destroy tooth enamel. As a result, bacteria easily penetrate into the tooth cavity, reaching the root and starting the process of decay. In this case, the odor is temporarily eliminated with a rinse aid or some other means.

If the cause lies in diseases of the internal organs, then it will be possible to get rid of it only after achieving complete remission.

To confirm or refute the diagnosis, scrape the plaque from the back third of the tongue with a plastic spoon, then smell it. The same can be done with floss, which needs to pass between the teeth. If, as a result, it emits a sharp putrid odor, then it is clear that you will have to fight halitosis.

Main causes of bad breath

In adults and children, this problem almost always appears for the same reasons. They can be associated both with disruption of the functioning of internal organs - the stomach, intestines, pancreas, and with unsatisfactory quality of personal hygiene. This refers to poor brushing of teeth, ignoring special flosses, rinses and toothpicks, and irregular visits to the dentist to sanitize the oral cavity.

Why does an adult have bad breath?


Most often, this problem manifests itself as a result of rotting food debris in the mouth, which is not removed in a timely manner or is never removed at all. All this creates an excellent microflora for development pathogenic bacteria, which also contribute to the appearance of halitosis. The causes should also be looked for in large foci of caries in the oral cavity, dental deposits in the form of soft and hard plaque.

This is why adults have bad breath:

  • Weak salivation. In this case, proper disinfection does not occur, and bad bacteria thrive in the mouth, aggravating the situation.
  • Diabetes mellitus. If this particular disease is to blame, then in addition the smell of acetone may be disturbing.
  • Poor nutrition. Abuse of garlic, onions, and spices also leads to the need to freshen your breath. This is due to the fact that these vegetables contain a lot of ketones, which create a problem.
  • Gastritis. In this case, bad breath may be accompanied by the smell of hydrogen sulfide, sour belching, heartburn, nausea and abdominal pain. This is typical both at low acidity and at high acidity.
  • Diseases thyroid gland . As a result of their development, the smell of iodine may bother you, and you should immediately contact an endocrinologist.
  • Kidney disorders. Pyelonephritis, microliths and stones in these organs can lead to the appearance of a sharp, bitter odor.
  • Dental diseases. In this case, everything can be attributed to pulpitis, gingivitis, periodontitis, caries. They promote the development of bacteria, the waste product of which is fetid hydrogen sulfide.

Pay attention! Bad breath most often appears in those who abuse coffee, tea, alcohol and smoke.

What Causes Bad Breath in a Child?


Most often, children under the age of 12 need breath freshening, because their oral microflora is still unstable and their permanent dentition has not yet been formed. This need can be explained by poor nutrition, otolaryngological and gastroenterological diseases, inadequate oral care. A problem may arise if parents ignore brushing their teeth, and the child does not yet know how to do it correctly.

Among the factors contributing to the development of bad breath, the following stand out:

  1. Inflammation of the tonsils. This is very common in children, which requires the use of antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs.
  2. . It may be a consequence chronic rhinitis, sinusitis, frontal sinusitis or common cold. With them, mucus constantly concentrates in the oral cavity, which creates a problem.
  3. Too much active image life. Difficulties may arise if the child moves a lot and sweats often without drinking enough water. In this case, the oral mucosa dries out, which creates favorable conditions for the activity of bacteria, the excrement of which causes the stench.
  4. Glossitis. This is an inflammation of the tongue, which most often occurs when pathogenic microflora increases.
  5. Drinking coffee and tea. This is true when they drink in large quantities. Such drinks “cause stress” in the oral cavity, destroying good bacteria and activating the bad ones.
  6. Lactose intolerance. In this state of affairs, the protein supplied with dairy products is not broken down, but is processed by pathogenic microorganisms into sulfur, which creates the problem.
  7. Dental diseases. In children, there is an active replacement of temporary teeth with molars, accompanied by changes in the microflora in the mouth and decay processes. Another difficulty is that children love sweets, which aggravates the situation.

How to get rid of bad breath

First of all, it is necessary to sanitize the oral cavity - fill all problem teeth, remove rotten roots, remove plaque and tartar ultrasonic cleaning And Air method Flow. It is also necessary to exclude gastrointestinal diseases (gastritis, biliary dyskinesia, colitis). Before you begin to solve the problem, you should be examined by an otolaryngologist to treat a stuffy nose if it bothers you, and sore tonsils. It is imperative to ensure a normal microclimate in the room and exclude too spicy foods from food - garlic, mustard, horseradish as a seasoning.

How to remove bad breath with cosmetic products


You can solve the problem with the help of mouth rinses and fresheners, dental floss and toothpicks, which should be used every day. Their main task is to remove what remains of food between the teeth and ensure normal, healthy microflora. All this is sold both in pharmacies and supermarkets, in the “hygiene products” departments. It is necessary to use such methods starting from 3-5 years.

We are talking about the following:

  • Rinse aid. Choose a product with a strong mint aroma and bactericidal properties. It will remove pathogenic microorganisms and food debris that provoke the development of the problem. Use it every time after meals. You need to rinse your mouth for at least 30 seconds, taking a full cap, and do not swallow the composition.
  • Dental floss. Floss is designed to remove food debris from the interdental spaces, which in the process of decay is what causes bad breath. It is desirable that the thread be made of nylon fibers that do not injure the enamel and gums. Apply it every day before bed. Contraindications to this are age under 3 years and some dental diseases(gingivitis, stomatitis, periodontal disease).
  • Toothpicks. They are needed to maintain hygiene in the space between the teeth, where food debris accumulates. They are used after meals in the absence of bleeding gums. Do not press too hard on them to avoid injury.
  • Freshener spray. The most powerful effects are provided by products with orange, lemon and mint scents. They must be sprayed onto the tongue and walls of the throat, shaking first; the result lasts for 1-2 hours.
  • Toothpastes. For them to help, they must contain active ingredients With strong odor- orange, lemon, rosemary essential oil. You need to brush your teeth at least 3 times a day.

Treatment of bad breath with folk remedies


Various are relevant here herbal infusions, decoctions, juices, tinctures, which are used mainly for rinsing or irrigating the oral cavity. St. John's wort, wormwood, peppermint, oak bark, verbena, and sorrel have proven themselves well. Horseradish, celery and St. John's wort, chamomile and thyme solve the problem perfectly. They also stop bleeding gums, soothe the mucous membrane, relieve inflammation and suppress the activity of pathogenic bacteria.

We offer you the following recipes for folk remedies:

  • Combine dried St. John's wort and wormwood, 5 tbsp each. l. everyone, flood them boiled water(1.5 cups). Then let the mixture sit for half an hour. After this time, strain it through a sieve and use only the liquid. Rinse your mouth with it after eating and always before going to bed, at night.
  • Pour into a 1 liter glass jar fresh leaves blue strawberries and blackberries (70 g each), peppermint (120 g) and St. John's wort roots (80 g). Now fill the container up to the neck with boiling water and cover it. The mixture will have to stand for 2-3 days, and then the liquid should be filtered. It is used to rinse the mouth after meals at least 2 times a day.
  • Squeeze the juice from one lemon and combine it with mint infusion, prepared in a ratio of 5 tbsp. l. herbs per 200 ml of boiling water. Next, let the composition brew for a day, then pour it into a bottle with a spray bottle. Use ready-made remedy as prescribed 2-3 times a day; if necessary, you can easily take it with you on the road.
  • Grind the roots of calamus, which you need exactly 2 tbsp. l. Then chop the oak bark (3 tbsp) and combine these two ingredients, then pour boiled water (300 ml) over them. Leave the infusion for 2-3 days and after this time, strain it. You should rinse your mouth with this product as needed.
  • Boil water (150 ml) and carefully pour 3 tbsp into it. l. verbena, lowering the gas. Boil it for 20-30 minutes, cool, strain, pour into a jar and refrigerate for 2-3 days. Rinse your mouth with the prepared broth several times a day.
  • Prepare a thyme infusion by mixing boiling water (300 ml) and this herb (100 g). Then the mass will need to be filtered - you only need liquid. It needs to be soaked in toothbrush, which should be used to wipe your tongue, teeth and gums every day before going to bed.
  • Squeeze the juice from the sorrel leaves, which needs at least 0.5 cups. To do this, you must first wash them, wrap them in gauze and squeeze them as hard as possible. Now dilute the resulting liquid by 30% with warm water, whisk and irrigate your mouth with it. This product effectively kills germs, freshens breath and protects against caries.
  • Grind the horseradish root in a meat grinder until you get at least 3 tbsp of gruel. l. Then mix it with boiling water (120 ml), pour into a jar, close the lid and shake. Leave the mixture in the refrigerator overnight and then use it instead of mouthwash. This product effectively freshens breath, relieves inflammation of the mucous membranes and gums.
  • Pour St. John's wort (3 tbsp.) with alcohol (5 tbsp.) and water (20 ml). Then the composition should be allowed to stand for several days. They rinse your mouth 2-3 times a day.

Pay attention! Ready-made infusions and decoctions should be stored under a closed lid in the refrigerator for no longer than a week, otherwise they simply will not help remove bad breath.

How to get rid of bad breath in the morning with food


It freshens your breath very well when you chew anise seeds and nuts - walnuts, almonds, pistachios. Cold-pressed oils also help a lot - olive, sesame, pumpkin. It is enough to consume them 2-3 tbsp. l. on an empty stomach every day for a month. After this, you should not eat or drink for about an hour for the remedy to take effect. You can also eat 1 tbsp. l. ginger powder or half an apple without peel after meals. Then you just need to rinse your mouth with warm water and soda.

If you have bad breath, you should pay attention to the following:

  1. Hercules porridge. This dish normalizes the secretion of saliva, which protects the oral mucosa from the harmful effects of bad bacteria. It has disinfecting properties and should be consumed strictly on an empty stomach with a small amount butter and preferably without sugar. You should choose only organic, non-GMO products.
  2. Chewing gum . You need to buy products in soft colors - deep pink, blue and the like most often contain dyes that are harmful to the stomach and destroy tooth enamel. It is not recommended to use chewing gum on an empty stomach, as it increases secretion gastric juice and increases the feeling of hunger. It is enough to chew it for 1-2 minutes, after which it becomes useless and threatens to cause malocclusion.
  3. Green. Umbrellas of dill and parsley, lettuce and sorrel are excellent breath fresheners. You can either simply chew them or prepare them in the form of smoothies or cocktails that are convenient to carry with you in bottles. The drink should be drunk after meals. The minimum portion is 100 ml, otherwise there can be no talk of any bright results.
  4. Walnut . The green peel should be used to wipe the gums, teeth and tongue. It should first be washed and kept in water and soda mixed in a combination of 50 ml per 3 tsp.
  5. Coffee. You can eliminate the unpleasant odor by gnawing on whole coffee beans, but after this you need to rinse your mouth thoroughly clean water. It is also possible to drink this drink without sugar and not too strong.
  6. Lollipops. For candies to help, they should not contain artificial colors, flavors or preservatives. Products with mint cope best with the problem.

How to get rid of bad breath with medications


Help should be sought in gum balms, tablets, dragees and various lozenges. They cannot permanently get rid of halitosis, but they can freshen your breath for several hours. This great option when you need to solve a problem on the road. All this is convenient to carry with you in your bag. The proposed products may be used by persons over 7-10 years of age. The effect of its use is noticeable immediately.

Here's what exactly we're talking about:

  • Balms for gums. Asepta paste based on metronidazole, menthol, mint and chlorhexidine performed well. Use it for 7-10 days, 2-3 times a day. The product is applied to the gums and teeth using an applicator, leaving for 10 minutes and rinsing off. After this, you should not eat or drink for an hour.
  • Pills. The most effective drugs are “Septogal” and “InFresh” with alfalfa, eucalyptus, wheatgrass and mint. The course of treatment is 10 days. Lollipops are dissolved for 1-2 minutes until completely dissolved an hour before meals every 3 hours.
  • Dragee. The most popular here are “Tic tac”, “Vot” and “Rondo” with orange, mint and other flavors. To freshen your breath, it is enough to use 1-2 pieces. at a time after eating.
Special micro-lozenges also help a lot, but all these products almost always contain a lot of dyes, thickeners and flavors. Therefore, they should not be swallowed constantly, otherwise you may harm yourself.

How to get rid of bad breath - watch the video:


Severe halitosis causes significant discomfort both to its owner and to others. And here it is very important to find out in a timely manner why bad breath is bothering you, and to choose the appropriate way to solve the problem. As a result, you finally won’t have to cover your mouth when talking and be embarrassed about it!

Bad breath is called halitosis, or halitosis. Often, many people think that the reason for the appearance of this symptom is simply insufficiently thorough oral hygiene. However, this is a mistake, since bad breath appears not only when plaque and bacteria accumulate in the oral cavity, but also due to a number of serious somatic diseases. In this case, halitosis is a symptom of pathology, which must be correlated with other signs and assess the situation comprehensively, based on a systematic approach.

Diseases various organs and systems that can lead to bad breath are shown in the table:

Organ system A disease that causes bad breath Characteristics of bad breath
Gastrointestinal tractGastritisRotten smell
Peptic ulcer of the stomach or duodenumSour smell
EnteritisFermenting or putrid odor
ColitisPutrid smell
Esophageal diverticulumSour and putrid odor
PancreatitisSour, smell of acetone or rotten apples
Bile duct dyskinesiaRancid, bitter smell
HepatitisRancid, bitter smell
WormsRotten, fermenting smell
ENT organsAngina
Chronic tonsillitisStrong, unpleasant purulent odor
SinusitisStrong, unpleasant purulent odor
SinusitisStrong, unpleasant purulent odor
Respiratory systemTuberculosisPutrid, putrid odor
Lung abscessPutrid, putrid odor
PneumoniaPutrid, putrid odor
BronchiectasisPutrid, putrid odor
Allergic diseases(rhinitis, bronchitis, etc.)
Oral diseasesCariesPutrid smell
PeriodontitisPutrid smell
Periodontal diseasePutrid smell
StomatitisPutrid smell
Presence of denturesPutrid smell
Pathology of the salivary glandsPutrid smell
GingivitisBloody smell
Dysbacteriosis of the oral cavityPutrid smell
Tartar, dental plaque due to poor hygienePutrid, pungent, even rotten odor
Metabolic diseasesDiabetes mellitusSmell of acetone or fruit
BulimiaRotten, putrid odor
AnorexiaRotten, putrid odor
Urinary systemKidney failureSmell of ammonia or rotten fish
Bad habitsSmokingPutrid and specific tobacco smell
Alcohol abusePutrid and specific smell of partially processed alcohol

In diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, bad breath is caused by disturbances in the digestion process. The sour smell is caused by excessive formation hydrochloric acid in the stomach with peptic ulcers and gastritis. Bowel diseases are associated with poor digestion proteins and fats that begin to rot, causing bad breath. With pathology of the liver and pancreas, the digestion of food is also impaired, and, in addition, numerous toxic substances enter the blood, which cause bad breath.

In pathologies of the ENT organs, bad breath is caused by the presence of a purulent process in the immediate vicinity of the oral cavity. In this case, the breath smells like purulent wound on an open area of ​​the body, for example, an arm, leg, etc. In addition, with sinusitis or sinusitis, a person breathes through the mouth, and in this situation the mucous membrane dries out. Drying of the oral mucosa, in turn, leads to a decrease in the disinfecting qualities of saliva, which promotes the growth of bacteria. And bacteria, having settled in various parts of the oral mucosa, release foul-smelling gases during their life processes. In addition, microorganisms have a relatively short lifespan, and after death they remain in the mouth, decomposing and emitting an unpleasant odor.

People suffering from sinusitis are forced to breathe through their mouth due to nasal congestion, which in turn leads to dry mouth and, as a result, unpleasant smell.

Various pathologies of the respiratory system are associated with increased inflammation and breakdown of the tissues of the lungs and bronchi, which leads to the release of odors of rotting and decomposition through the oral cavity. Allergic diseases lead to dry mouth, which entails excessive growth of bacteria and the appearance of an unpleasant odor, the source of which is the waste products and decomposition of microorganisms.

Various diseases of the oral cavity, gums and teeth cause a specific and extremely unpleasant odor from the mouth. The reason for the appearance of the odor is the accumulation of bacteria, which in the course of their life emit smelly gases, such as skatole, indole, hydrogen sulfide, etc. In addition, when inflammatory diseases tissues die, which, when decomposed, also emit a very unpleasant odor. Pathology of the salivary glands leads to dry mouth, which causes the appearance of this symptom.

Poor oral hygiene leads to the accumulation of bacteria and food particles, which cause bad odor. The microorganisms themselves emit foul-smelling gases, and rotting food debris increases the strength and unpleasantness of bad breath.

People who follow unbalanced diets, as well as those suffering from bulimia or anorexia, also have bad breath, which is associated with digestive disorders. The food consumed is not digested properly, rots and ferments in the intestines and stomach, leading to the appearance of a characteristic bad breath. Sometimes such people’s breath even smells like feces.

In case of renal failure in the blood increased content urea, which is an ammonia compound. As a result, the body begins to remove the toxic substance through the mucous membranes and skin, so the breath of such people smells like ammonia or rotten fish.

In diabetes mellitus, a large amount of acetone and ketone bodies are formed in the human body, which are released through the mucous membranes, including the oral cavity. This is what causes the smell of acetone from the mouth of people suffering from diabetes.

Bad breath is a problem that is familiar to most of the population. To effectively combat this phenomenon, you need to determine what causes it. This is not always poor hygiene or a product eaten with a characteristic taste and aroma. A quarter of all sufferers have problems with the digestive system, diseases kidney or liver.

How to determine if there is a problem

Most often the news is about bad breath we learn from people around us, loved ones, friends, relatives.

If a person is not sure about the freshness of his breath, then he can ask family members about it. They will tell you about the character, it could be a sour smell from the mouth of an adult, rotten or rotten.

If you are shy about adults, ask your children, they will not deceive you.

You can detect the presence of “aroma” without the participation of strangers.

Eat several ways:

  1. Using a spoon, collect the plaque on the back of your tongue and smell it after a minute. You can use a cotton pad instead of a spoon.
  2. Dental equipment that provides accurate readings of hydrogen sulfide in breath.
  3. Smell the toothpick a couple of minutes after use.
  4. Lick your wrist and smell the skin once dry.

If a problem is discovered and simple hygiene does not help, then you need to go to the doctor, find out the cause, and begin treating the problem. The closest scent to your breath that others can smell is: back of the tongue.

Reasons

Chronic bad breath will not go away without treatment and care. Don't believe the advertising and try to overpower it with the scent of chewing gum or buy an expensive spray.

The reasons can be very different:

  • soft and hard plaque is one of the most common causes;
  • inflammation of the gums;
  • advanced caries;
  • stomach ulcer, duodenal ulcer, increased acidity;
  • cystitis, pyelonephritis, renal failure;
  • pathologies of the respiratory system, for example, nasal polyps, adenoids or tonsillitis.

An unpleasant smell from the mouth can be periodic and temporary, or it can be permanent, it all depends on root cause of the problem.

When identifying the cause, it is important not only the presence of staleness, but also the characteristics.

For example, the smell of ammonia from the mouth of an adult indicates problems with the kidneys; a putrid smell from the mouth indicates either problems with teeth and gums, or the presence of a tumor in the esophagus.

Then the food gets stuck in a separate pouch and creates a stale feeling.

Rotten breath indicates problems with the lungs, tuberculosis, advanced disease. Bad breath worse in the morning, because the mucous membrane dries out and bacteria multiply more intensely. U healthy person Morning staleness disappears after brushing your teeth.

A sour smell in the mouth of an adult occurs with pathologies such as gastritis and stomach ulcers, which are accompanied by increased acidity. If you have liver problems, a “fragrance” may emanate from a person rotten eggs, there will also be a bitterness in the mouth, and a yellow tint will appear on the skin. Your breath smells like acetone - you need to check the amount of glucose in your blood, this is a sign of diabetes.

All of the above reasons relate to diseases of internal organs and affect the occurrence of constant bad breath. There are factors, which cause oral odor in adults short time. These include certain types of food, poor hygiene, as well as alcohol and smoking.

When drinking alcohol, the mucous membranes dry out, which promotes the growth of bacteria.

Then the problem is corrected with the help of a healthy lifestyle and giving up bad habits. Tar and nicotine provoke a characteristic smoker's aroma, which cannot be eliminated without quitting smoking.

Bacteria that contribute to the emergence unpleasant breath, eat protein foods.

What kind of food is this: protein that we eat in the form of meat, eggs, fish, and dairy products. With poor quality dental care, the remains of such food provoke a massive proliferation of microorganisms.

Important! The less often you brush your teeth, the more microorganisms accumulate on the tongue, between the teeth, and on the mucous membrane.

In the oral cavity of every person there are microorganisms that can emit a cadaverous, rotten odor, as well as "aroma" of feces. Whether people around you feel it depends on the number of such bacteria.

Diagnostics

Halitosis is the official name of the pathology, regardless of the cause. To diagnose the cause and further treatment you need to contact your dentist. Using the device, he will assess the intensity of halitosis and also check for the presence of dental reasons. The dentist will measure the level of plaque on your teeth and tongue.

The specialist conducts an examination and interviews the patient. It is necessary to remember when the bad breath appeared, the reasons for the patients, for what diseases, its intensity, whether there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract or excretory organs. Specialists have instruments to measure the amount of sulfur secretions in the exhalation. Conducted general tests and examinations of the digestive organs, examination of the larynx, nasopharynx, and the level of kidney and liver enzymes is detected. As a result, you may need to consult not only a dentist, but also a gastroenterologist, ENT specialist and urologist.

Important! Before undergoing diagnostics, it is prohibited to use sprays, cosmetics for breathing.

Two days before the examination, you must stop eating spicy food and do not use mouthwashes or breath fresheners for 12 hours.

The entire diagnostic process comes down to identifying the cause of this phenomenon. Treatment directly depends on this.

For chronic diseases, do not fresh breath may indicate an exacerbation. In this case, you should adjust treatment.

Often a person focuses too much on bad breath. There is halitophobia, which in adults is characterized by a fear of staleness. The disease causes panic and provokes a person to constantly use refreshing products. In this case, the diagnosis does not reveal the cause of the pathology, in too much advanced cases treatment by a psychologist is necessary.

Treatment

Halitosis should be treated by a doctor whose specialty is the symptoms of poor breathing. The dentist will remove periodontitis, tell you how to use dental floss, and teach you how to care for dentures, which can be another factor in the problem. The dentist will remove plaque from the tongue and gums and recommend an antibacterial paste to destroy odors from the mouth of adults.

How to treat unpleasant breathing from a person if it is a symptom of more complex diseases, a highly specialized specialist will tell you. For example, the smell of ammonia from the breath of an adult prompts you to consult a urologist and have your kidneys checked. As soon as the functioning of the internal organs is normalized, the aroma of the oral cavity will also return to normal.

Traditional methods

You can try to solve the problem using traditional methods:

  1. Chew natural coffee beans, eat ½ spoon of instant coffee granules.
  2. Always use natural mouthwashes.
  3. Rinse your mouth daily with decoctions of chamomile, oak, dill and propolis.
  4. Great for a couple of hours essential oils carnations, tea tree and sage.

TO unconventional methods The fight also includes the use of refreshing chewing gum. It is recommended to use them no more than 15 minutes. In the presence of complex pathologies, it will not have an effect.

Important! If the main cause of the disease is not eliminated, then folk and cosmetic methods will give a temporary effect, and the problem will periodically return.

Prevention

Preventive measures to prevent bad breath in case of illness or everyday life includes, first of all, hygiene and dental care.

To prevent the growth of bacteria that cause putrid breath, be sure to use dental floss, brush your teeth regularly, and also get rid of plaque on your tongue.

Be sure to visit the dentist for preventative care. You should brush your teeth for at least 3 minutes, be sure to floss and carry out the brushing procedure at least 2 times a day.

After every meal, especially protein, you need to rinse and cleanse the mouth.

It's better to refuse bad habits, balance your diet so that you have enough vitamins and microelements. Use mouth rinses regularly. Consult your dentist about how to moisturize the mucous membrane if dryness occurs.

If you have chronic gastrointestinal diseases, respiratory organs, kidneys and liver, it is important to monitor normal condition health and prevent exacerbations. A sour odor from the mouth of an adult may indicate increased acidity. At the first manifestations acute form you need to contact a specialist. If an adult smells of ammonia from the mouth, immediately contact a urologist, especially if you have recently become hypothermic and have problems with urination.

Useful news healthy image life, monitor your blood sugar levels so that the aroma of acetone does not appear. It is imperative to treat all inflammatory and infectious diseases so as not to trigger pathology.

Video: causes and treatment of bad breath

Conclusion

If a person smells bad, it may mean poor care for the entire oral cavity, and serious pathologies of digestion, metabolism and respiratory organs. When the problem is temporary and does not accompany you constantly, just better brush your teeth, as well as your tongue, and use dental floss. In other cases, a visit to the doctor will be necessary.

Bad breath causes many negative emotions, develops an inferiority complex, becomes an obstacle to normal interaction with other people. This problem is very common among the adult population, but only in some cases it is pathological character. People have bad breath due to inflammatory processes in the gastrointestinal tract, due to caries, insufficient hygiene oral cavity, etc. To get rid of this unpleasant phenomenon, the cause of its occurrence should be found out and eliminated.

Why do people have bad breath?

Bad breath occurs as a person grows older and this phenomenon is medically called halitosis or halitosis. Usually its sources are pathogenic microorganisms that accumulate on the tongue, gums and in the interdental space. There are two groups of reasons why bad breath occurs – physiological and pathological. The first group is caused by the influence of natural factors that are not a consequence of health problems. The second group includes various diseases that contribute to the appearance of an unpleasant odor.

Physiological reasons:

  1. Poor oral hygiene, irregular or insufficient brushing of teeth.
  2. Caries.
  3. Alcohol abuse.
  4. Tobacco smoking.
  5. Eating certain foods, such as garlic or onions.
  6. Poor nutrition, strict diets.
  7. Starvation.

Pathological reasons:

  1. Gastritis.
  2. Peptic ulcer disease.
  3. Enteritis.
  4. Colitis.
  5. Pancreatic dysfunction.
  6. Liver pathologies.
  7. Diseases of the ENT organs of a purulent nature.
  8. Pneumonia.
  9. Tuberculosis.
  10. Carious lesions of teeth.
  11. Diabetes mellitus.

Why does bad breath appear with healthy teeth?

Many people look for the origin of the problem in caries and other dental problems. However, very often, even after complete elimination of dental pathologies, and despite regular visits to the dentist and careful hygiene, the problem of bad breath persists. This suggests that the causes of this phenomenon must be sought in the body, since the above pathologies most often serve as its causes.

There is also a pathology called xerostomia, which is characterized by insufficient salivation and increased dry mouth. In most cases it occurs against the background of other diseases, for example, diabetes mellitus or HIV. As a result of a lack of saliva, which has an anti-inflammatory and neutralizing effect, and also washes away pathogenic bacteria from the teeth, a person develops a very unpleasant odor from the mouth.

Other clinical manifestations xerostomia is discomfort while talking or eating, constant thirst, difficulties with swallowing, the appearance of ulcers on the mucous membrane, etc.

The main “culprits” of unpleasant odor

There is a special type of bacteria that causes that specific bad breath. Such microorganisms are called anaerobic or gram-negative, and they produce chemical compounds, which become the source of bad breath. This happens when the number of such bacteria begins to predominate, and the microflora in the oral cavity is disrupted. Favorite food anaerobic microorganisms– these are proteins that are found in meat and fish, eggs, etc. Therefore, in order to avoid bad breath, both in adults and children, it is necessary to use a toothbrush regularly.

Types of smell

Halitosis can be a consequence of any disease, and each of them is reflected in a person’s breathing. Taking into account the nature of the unpleasant odor, the direction in which to look for the problem is usually determined.

The smell of rot

Main reasons putrid smell from the mouth of adults:

  • Plaque on teeth.
  • Carious lesions of teeth.
  • Insufficient saliva production.
  • Stomatitis.
  • Sinusitis.
  • Inflammatory processes in the respiratory organs.
  • Pathologies of the digestive organs.
  • Abscesses.
  • Poor quality oral care.
  • Periodontitis.
  • Tobacco smoking.

Smell of acetone

This unusual odor from the mouth appears for the following reasons:

  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Dehydration of the body.
  • Liver pathologies.
  • Kidney diseases.
  • Long-term diet for weight loss (Kremlin, protein, French, etc.).
  • Pathologies of the thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism).
  • Acetonemia.

Sour smell

Sour breath occurs due to the following factors:

  • One of the first symptoms peptic ulcer stomach.
  • Increased acidity of gastric juice.
  • Diaphragmatic hernia.
  • Cardiospasm.
  • Gingivitis.
  • Metal crowns in the mouth.
  • Fungal infection of the oral mucosa.
  • Helminthiasis.
  • Uncontrolled drug therapy.
  • Gastroesophageal reflux.
  • Hormonal imbalance.
  • Nervous shock, severe emotional stress.
  • Violation metabolic processes.

Rotten smell

Foul breath indicates a large amount of hydrogen sulfide released in the digestive tract as a result of eating protein foods. A rotten smell is felt by others when a person speaks or breathes through the mouth. This phenomenon is also observed when the production of digestive fluid is low, especially when a person overeats, or when low acidity gastric juice.

So, rotten odor from the mouth occurs under the influence of diseases:

  • Lazy stomach syndrome (low motility).
  • Biliary dyskinesia.
  • Cirrhosis of the liver (causes the smell of rotten meat).
  • Stenosis of the pylorus of the stomach.
  • Chronic cholecystitis.
  • Diverticula of the esophageal wall.
  • Atrophic gastritis.

Ammonia breath

The smell of ammonia from the oral cavity appears due to a violation of metabolic processes, when decay products are released not through the genitourinary organs, but partially through the lungs.

This problem is widespread and, in addition to metabolic failures, occurs for the following reasons:

  • Poor nutrition with a predominance of protein foods in the diet. The removal of ammonia is difficult due to overload of the liver and kidneys.
  • Insufficient water intake.
  • Starvation.
  • Reception medications And vitamin complexes containing nitrogen and amino acids.
  • Liver diseases.
  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Kidney failure.
  • Thyrotoxicosis.

Sweetish smell

Bad breath with a sweetish tint can be the result of many pathologies, including dental ones. Most probable reasons occurrence of bad breath:

  • Immunodeficiency.
  • Diabetes mellitus.
  • Duodenitis.
  • Cytomegalovirus infection.
  • Disturbance of carbohydrate metabolism.
  • Candidiasis.
  • Depression or stress.
  • Inflammation of the gums.
  • Dehydration of the body.

Stool smell

Such a smell arising from the oral cavity becomes the main cause of problems in interacting with other people.

This phenomenon is always provoked by diseases of the digestive organs:

  • Intestinal neurosis.
  • Intestinal obstruction.
  • Dysbacteriosis.
  • Frequent constipation.
  • Diverticulitis (obstruction of the esophagus).
  • Biliary dyskinesia.
  • Helminthic infestations.
  • Pancreatitis.
  • Gastritis.
  • Increased or decreased acidity.
  • Peptic ulcer disease.

Diagnosis of halitosis

Bad breath may be a consequence natural causes, and also be a sign of many pathological processes. If this phenomenon is permanent, then most likely we're talking about about diseases of internal organs, or dental problems. A person can independently determine whether his breath smells. To do this, you can take a cotton pad or swab and swipe inside cheeks, on the back of the tongue and on the teeth, and then sniff. But self-diagnosis, as a rule, is not effective, so if you suspect this problem It’s better to contact specialists.

Usually the patient passes the following types examinations:

  • Collecting anamnesis, identifying concomitant diseases.
  • Examination by a dentist, gastroenterologist, otolaryngologist.
  • Halimetry.
  • PCR diagnostics.
  • Microbiological research.
  • Test for the presence of dysbacteriosis.
  • Analysis for acidity level.
  • Gastroscopy.
  • Ultrasound examination.
  • X-ray.
  • Determination of helminthiases, etc.

What foods cause bad odor?

Each body is individual and everyone reacts differently to use. food products, some people immediately develop an unpleasant odor from the mouth, while some people retain fresh breath even after smoking a cigarette. Much depends on the state of metabolism and the presence of concomitant diseases.

However, there is a list of foods that, when consumed, even in an absolutely healthy person’s breath becomes stale:

  • Fresh onions.
  • Garlic.
  • Alcoholic drinks.
  • Horseradish.
  • Black coffee.
  • Carbonated drinks.
  • Salted fish.

What foods freshen your breath?

In order for the breath to always be fresh, and bad breath not to bother either the person himself or those close to him, it is recommended to drink more clean water, which washes away food debris and pathogenic microorganisms from the teeth and oral mucosa.

Use following products will also help in troubleshooting the problem:

  • Juicy fruits, vegetables and berries, which promote additional saliva production and create negative conditions for the proliferation of pathogenic bacteria.
  • Natural yogurt without fruit filler and containing lactobacilli reduces the level of sulfide compounds, which are a source of unpleasant odor.
  • Fresh herbs: dill, parsley, celery.
  • Carnation.
  • Sweet dill seeds.
  • Anis et al.

Treatment methods for halitosis

In order to get rid of the problem in question, it is necessary to identify and eliminate the root cause of its occurrence. Treatment of the disease that caused this symptom- This is one of the measures to eliminate bad breath. But in any case, this problem requires integrated approach, which besides drug treatment pathology requires careful adherence to oral and dental hygiene.

Basic principles of treatment of halitosis depending on the established diagnosis:

  1. Antibiotic therapy.
  2. Anti-inflammatory drugs.
  3. Diet therapy.
  4. Treatment of carious teeth.
  5. Traditional methods for eliminating odor.
  6. Stimulation of salivation.
  7. Elimination of helminths from the body.

Prevention

The most important preventative measure- This careful hygiene oral cavity, regular brushing of teeth, preferably after every meal. Children with small age You need to instill the habit of brushing your teeth so that in the future they will not have caries and, as a result, bad breath. It is also advisable to use dental floss, and during morning hygiene procedures, pay attention not only to the teeth, but also to the tongue and the inner surface of the cheeks. Additionally, it is recommended to use special rinses containing sodium chlorite, chlorine dioxide, zinc or cetylpyridone chloride. Such products destroy bacteria, neutralize sulfur compounds, and reduce the number of pathogenic microorganisms. It is necessary to visit the dentist regularly in order to eliminate incipient caries and other diseases in a timely manner.

No less important is the prevention of constipation, dysbacteriosis, gastritis, peptic ulcers and other pathologies of the gastrointestinal tract, the presence of which is determined by the unpleasant odor from the mouth. Proper nutrition and a healthy active lifestyle will help prevent the development similar problems with health.