Bad Breath Evaluation and Management

Bad breath or halitosis can be caused by different factors. Contrary to common belief, it is not caused by poor dental hygiene alone. It is important to evaluate the cause of bad breath before proper treatment can be applied.

There are three causes for bad breath:

1. OroDental. Bad breath may be due to poor dental hygiene, smoking, periodontal disease or gingivitis.
2. Respiratory. Bad breath is caused by a disease or infection affecting the nasal passages, lungs, throat, trachea. Sinusitis, tonsillitis, abscess in the lungs or throat may cause foul breath. Metabolic causes of halitosis like diabetes, liver failure and uremia may trigger the odour to emanate from the respiratory passages.
3. Gastroesophageal. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), or inflammation of the esophagus, causes the stomach acid to move upward to the esophagus.
4. If proper dental hygiene fails to correct halitosis, it is best to consult an expert to determine the real cause of bad breath.