Warning: bad breath can be a sign of serious diseases

One in four people experience unpleasant mouth odour, but is one in four people aware of this? In fact, this problem is not so obvious as people do not want to appear rude and do not advise taking action and consulting a doctor. We are discussing the causes of bad breath and ways to solve this issue with specialists the Prosthetics and Implantology Clinic (PIK): Dental Hygienist Jolanta Ruzgienė, Dentist-Endodontist Sandra Skuodaitė and Dentist-Orthopaedic Surgeon Raimondas Savickas.

Causes of bad breath

Bad breath (halitosis) is not a disease, but it can be a symptom of oral diseases and other health problems. There are many reasons for unpleasant odour, but Dental Hygienist Jolanta Ruzgienė identifies poor oral hygiene and dental disease as the main causes: “If teeth are not brushed properly or regularly, food residues remain in the mouth promoting the growth of bacteria and increasing the accumulation of plaque on the teeth, gums and tongue. Plaque build-up on the tongue can cause bad breath and taste disorders. In addition, poor oral hygiene causes dental and gum diseases which lead to bad breath.” Dentist-Endodontist Sandra Skuodaitė agrees that bad breath does not bother healthy people with proper individual oral hygiene and a regular dietary regime. “90% of bad breath is caused by dental and gum diseases, and the other 10% is caused by health problems. The disease can be diagnosed during the initial examination and a treatment plan can be discussed with the patient,” says the doctor.

Bad breath: is it possible to get rid of it by yourself?

When people notice bad breath, they reach for mint pastilles, chewing gum or mouthwash. Unfortunately, these products only help to suppress the symptoms but do not solve the problem, according to a press release. Doctor Raimondas Savickas adds that bad breath can also be temporary if it is caused by external factors: certain foods, drinks, medications, use of hormonal medications, smoking, or simply a dry mouth at night due to reduced saliva production (physiological halitosis) and the inability to wash away the products of bacterial activity. In this case, the problem can be solved with oral hygiene products. However, if the problem is caused by other factors, dental treatment is necessary.

Dental solutions for bad breath

Dentist-Endodontist at PIK Sandra Skuodaitė informs us that bad breath is a serious reason to make an appointment with your dentist. If bad breath is caused by gingivitis, periodontitis, various types of oral mucosal ulcers, plaque on the tongue, teeth, dentures or orthodontic appliances, proper dental treatment or at least professional teeth cleaning is necessary. Doctor Raimondas Savickas explains what happens during halitosis treatment: “First of all, unpleasant mouth odour caused by dental issues is treated by reducing the amount of microorganisms. This can be achieved by cleaning the oral cavity mechanically or chemically. The most effective treatment methods are prescribed after assessing the individual situation. Professional teeth cleaning, periodontitis treatment, tooth decay treatment, replacement of old dentures or other measures may be necessary.” Dental Hygienist Jolanta Ruzgienė reassures that bad breath will disappear when the teeth are healthy: “Once periodontitis has been treated, the teeth cleaned and you have learned how to clean your mouth properly, the unpleasant smell will disappear on its own, without the use of any special odour-eliminating products.”

Raimondas Savickas, Implantologist at the Prosthetics and Implantology Clinic, warns that this problem should not be ignored. Ignoring the signals sent by the body can lead to complications and hinder the treatment process. Neglected dental diseases influence or provoke other diseases, increasing the risk of developing diabetes, heart and circulatory diseases. In addition, bad breath can be a symptom of diseases of the digestive system, respiratory system, liver, kidneys and other internal organs. It should be noted that unpleasant odours from the mouth also cause social problems: they can silently complicate close relationships or leave a bad impression on new acquaintances. If you are experiencing this problem, make an appointment with your dentist right away. After all, bad breath is not only bothersome to you, but also to those around you.