Causes of bad breath
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an unpleasant condition that causes distress and insecurity to the individual. Tooth infection is the leading cause of bad breath and further complications such as tooth loss and gum recession.
Bad breath
There are many causes leading to bad breath, particularly:
Build-up of bacteria and plaque from leftover food residue on the tooth. Bacteria feed on the food residue and over time will produce waste products causing bad breath
Improper cleaning of dentures
Irregular cleaning of the tongue, leading to food build-up on the tongue
Use of tobacco or alcohol, which can impact the liver and cause bad breath also
Certain foods can cause bad breath due to their digestion in the stomach
Patients suffering from certain medical conditions such as dry mouth
Gastrointestinal causes such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD), liver disease, excessive gut bacteria, H. pylori infection, gallbladder disease, kidney disease, bowel obstruction, irritable bowel syndrome/ disease (IBS or IBD)
What does tooth infection breath smell like?
Besides creating a bitter and unpleasant taste in your mouth, a tooth infection can cause a pus smell and lingering odour if the pus oozes out. This is especially common if the pus bag is large and easy to burst open.
What does gingivitis breath smell like?
Gingivitis is an early form of gum disease, occurring when plaque (also called calculus or tartar) builds up in your teeth along the gum line. Patients suffering from gingivitis usually experience occasional gum bleeding, especially when undergoing teeth cleaning procedures.
Gingivitis breath usually smells like rotten eggs or sulfur. As the tooth continues to decay, the smell worsens and becomes more like rotten meat or death.
Stages of tooth infection. If gingivitis is untreated, it can progress into periodontitis. This can cause loss of teeth and gum recession
To reverse gingivitis, your dentist can remove all plaque surrouding the tooth because at early stages, plaque does not cause damage to your tooth or bone below the gum line.