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What is the cause of severe and persistent halitosis (bad breath)?

My brother has breath that will stop you in your tracks.
Can anyone suggest a treatment (other than covering it up with breath freshener) that will help this?
Thanks for any insight.
My brother is a Diabetic – could that have something to do with it?

Sinus problems also contribute to bad breath. If you breathe through your mouth, it causes bad breath because the saliva dries up. That is a major cause of morning breath. I rinse with saline nasal spray every morning and at night. Gargle with equal parts warm water and peroxide. That will get the bacteria out of his throat. Use a tongue scraper and get as far back on the tongue as possible. Chewing gum helps because it makes you produce more saliva. If none of these things help, it may be a health issue and he should see a doctor.

Causes Of Halitosis

Although it is often the basis for many jokes, Halitosis is not only an embarrassing condition but may potentially be the evidence of a bigger problem in the human body.  People who suffer with halitosis need to discover what the problem is and get treatment appropriate for their situation.  This condition should not be ignored but should be carefully looked at.

Oral Hygiene

Many people believe that halitosis or bad breath is simply caused by poor oral hygiene and this may be the case.  Some people with bad breath simply do not take care of their mouth or teeth.  Every person needs to understand that teeth and mouth need to be cared for and cleaned frequently to prevent not only bad breath but other problems as well.  Old food particles, bacteria, yeast, plaque and other disgusting things in the mouth will all contribute to halitosis and need to be eliminated by careful cleaning and treatment.  This is something each and every person can do without the help of a doctor, dentist or other professional.

Tooth Decay And Oral Infections

Another common cause of halitosis is tooth decay or other oral infections.  A person with good oral hygiene that still finds they have a problem with bad breath should make an appointment with their dentist to check for possible causes in the mouth and teeth.  The dentist can help take care of problems with the teeth, gums and other oral areas.  If the dentist does not find a problem causing the bad breath they will probably refer the patient to a medical doctor.

Medical Causes Of Halitosis

There are many medical conditions that can cause Halitosis.  It may be as simple as a person’s dietary intake or may be something more severe.  A person with chronic Halitosis should see a doctor to make sure there is not an underlying medical condition that requires treatment.  A doctor will be able to perform and order tests to rule out many of the causes of Halitosis.

Sometimes a medication may have the side effect of causing Halitosis.  In this case a doctor can quickly determine the cause and can offer suggestions for getting the problem under control.  Doctors are well aware of the fact that bad breath is not always a matter of poor hygiene and will be very understanding in helping a person to deal with the situation.  It will be a great relief for both the person with the bad breath and those that have frequent contact with them to have the problem solved.

what are the causes for halitosis other than dental problems & tretment?

Aside from bad bacteria that accumulates in your mouth, bad breath can also be symptoms of more health problems such as sinus infection, acid reflux, and other gastro-intestinal problem. Asking your dentist about can really help you get the right treatment. http://www.themouthdoctor.com/badbreath/11-badbreathdisease.htm has a list of bad breath causes.

Bad Personal Habits as Causes of Halitosis

It should be simple to keep bad breath at bay. While it is common knowledge that mouth fresheners act instantaneously, simple acts of personal hygiene can produce more lasting results. Most causes of halitosis are due to nothing more than carelessness or inconvenience. It is not always possible to brush teeth after a meal away from home, and bad breath is inevitable if you have enjoyed an exotic dish full of aromatic spices. Similarly, flossing can be most inconvenient, though traces of food stuck inside the mouth, will lose no time in raising a stink!

Not all causes of halitosis are beyond reasonable control. Some people may develop bad habits of failing to brush and floss before retiring for the night, or may simply not drink enough water. Irregular visits to dentists will inevitably lead to bacterial colonies finding refuge in the gums, and they can be awfully difficult to dislodge completely. There are some beneficial bacteria which reside in a healthy oral cavity, but the trick is to keep the harmful ones away. Overall, a combination of adequate personal hygiene and regular dental examinations should suffice to rule out the usual causes of halitosis.

Metabolic Causes of Halitosis

Diabetes can be free of symptoms in its early stages. Surveys show that large numbers of people in all countries may suffer from diabetes for years, without the condition being detected. This results in the build up of ketones in blood. Ketones are highly odorous chemicals which are formed when the body burns fat instead of carbohydrate for energy. Ketones are eliminated from blood through perspiration, in urine, and by way of exhaled breath. The latter joins the list of causes of halitosis, and it is a matter which a dentist cannot resolve on his or her own. This is why a dentist may send a patient to a physician, when there is nothing in the mouth which could result in halitosis. However, it is also possible that bacterial infections and diabetes are related, since high blood sugar predisposes people to immune deficiencies.

Sudden changes in diet can also cause bad breath. Fasting causes ketosis, as does a high protein diet, which also excludes carbohydrates. The bodies of people who try to lose weight rapidly, or to increase their musculatures, tend to use fat for energy, and smelly ketones build up in blood, finding their way to the lungs in the process. This is why special diets should be custom prepared for each individual by qualified experts.

Can a deviated nasal septum create tonsil stones and bad breath….??

Can a deviated nasal septum create tonsil stones and bad breath….??
I have a deviated nasal septum , (CT Scan) . and I have constant bad breath and tonsil stones..can a deviated nasal septum create tonsil stones and bad breath.??…?? And what is the treatment?.Is operayion the only solution
20 hours ago – 3 days left to answer.

I think that could be the cause. It may not be the classic “tonsil stones”, but the deviated septum could trap food in some of the cavities which could result in bad breath. There are some little water jet tools that you can use to squirt out the particles. You might want to look into that.
You should talk to your doctor about other ideas.

Leave Bad Breath Treatment to Your Dentist

Mouth fresheners make a great deal of sense. There could something especially aromatic in food that you eat away from home, or perhaps you are partial to garlic and onions. It is rare to have friends and family muster the courage to tell you that you may have halitosis, though this will not be the case with even the friendliest dentist. Mouth fresheners that you can buy without prescriptions do not constitute bad breath treatment in any case. Temporary relief is simply not good enough if the problem recurs often, or if it seems unrelated to food habits.

A dentist will need to make a thorough examination of the insides of your mouth, to determine whether you have halitosis, before deciding on a course of bad breath treatment to deal with the specifics of your case. Sometimes, just drinking water frequently, or chewing gum may suffice to deal with a dry mouth, which concentrates malodorous substances in exhaled breath. Children may often be guilty of improper brushing, though adults can be careless in this respect as well. Removing stale coating from the tongue, and dislodging pieces of food stuck between teeth, are other personal habits which may suffice by way of bad breath treatment. A dentist can also remove accumulated plaque, deal with diseases of the gums, and prescribe antibiotics, as forms of bad breath treatment.

Bad Breath Treatment beyond Your Mouth

Dentists cannot manage all cases of halitosis on their own. Gum diseases can be quite deep seated, and may need reference to a specialist in this field. However, not all cases of bad breath originate inside the mouth. A dentist may send a patient with halitosis to a physician to deal with a systemic cause. Ketones are smelly chemicals, which are excreted through urine, perspiration, and through exhaled breath as well. Ketones build up in blood to levels which result in halitosis if a person has diabetes, has been starving, or has inadequate carbohydrate intake. Ketosis can be life threatening, so halitosis may be an indication of a serious medical condition. That is why every case of persistent bad breath deserves professional attention.

Fortunately, bad breath treatment is relatively simple once the underlying cause has been determined. However, it can recur if a patient does not follow prescriptions, or change personal habits which lead to the problem. Bad breath may develop at any time, so being free of it at one point of time does not rule out the possibility of developing it later. It is best to ask an intimate friend or a member of the family to check periodically, and to keep every appointment with a dentist.

A sudden change in your dietary pattern can be the cause of bad breath.  Both high protein/low carb intakes and fasting will cause ketosis so those who are following a diet of such foods in order to get rid of weight quickly may find their breath begins to smell quite bad.  Therefore, it is best to have a diet prepared especially for you to avoid suffering with bad breath whilst trying to lose weight.

Bad Oral Hygiene

Although mouth washes make your mouth feel fresh, they only have a temporary affect at curbing bad breath.  Keeping bad breath away by improving your personal mouth hygiene will have a much more lasting result and this is because the lack of regular brushing and flossing are the main causes of halitosis.   There may be occasions when you are eating away from home and you will not be able to clean your teeth or floss when you have finished your meal.  This will result in your breath smelling bad, especially if you have eaten spicy dishes or food cooked using pungent ingredients such as onions and garlic.

However, quite often the cause of your bad breath can be controlled easily.  You should avoid getting into the habit of not brushing your teeth and flossing before going to bed and remember to drink plenty of water every day.  Irregular appointments at the dentists will result in bacterial colonies forming in the gums which are really difficult to completely get rid of and although there are some beneficial bacteria which live in a healthy way in your mouth you really need to get rid of the harmful kind, so a combination of good personal hygiene and regular visits to the dentist should keep halitosis at bay.

Is Halitosis a sign of Diabetes?

Diabetes is quite often not spotted in its early states.  Research has shown that many people suffering with this condition may actually be diabetic for years before it comes to light.  However, during this time when the body burns fat instead of carbs for energy, ketones build up in the blood and are released when passing urine, through sweating and also through the breath you exhale.  The latter of these is another cause of bad breath and unfortunately this can not be dealt with by the dentist. The dentist will refer you to a specialist when it is known that the bad breath is not originating from a problem within the mouth. It is thought that diabetes and bacterial infections may well be related as high blood sugar often lowers immunity.

As with any dieting or exercise program, it is best to consult your doctor before starting. The side-effects may not always be what you want.

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Your friends and family may be uncomfortable with telling you that your breath smells bad, but not so your dentist. Although using a mouth wash is good practice, it is only a temporary solution to the problem and if it is caused by something other than the strong flavored food you eat, then your dentist will be able to give you advice about how to get rid of your bad breath and make your mouth clean and fresh and a pleasure for others to be close to.

First of all your dentist will conduct a thorough check up examination of everything in your mouth and the information gleaned from this will let him or her know whether or not you are suffering from halitosis. This will enable the dentist to decide which course of treatment you should take to cure your bad breath.

Quite often it is just a case of drinking more water or chewing a stick of gum, as your mouth needs moisture to keep the tissues in a healthy condition. Brushing your teeth correctly is also important.

Children need guidance on how to brush their teeth from a very young age or else they will grow up being careless with the cleaning of their teeth, as is often the case in adulthood.

Part of cleaning your teeth is to remove any stale coating on the tongue as well as getting out any pieces of food from between the teeth. Your dentist will remove any plaque which has built up, and may even prescribe antibiotics to sort out any gum disease which is present.

Bad Breath Treatments Do Not Stop At Your Mouth

Some conditions of halitosis cannot be dealt with by your dentist and he or she may refer you to someone who specializes in deep rooted gum disease. However, if the problem causing your bad breath is not in your mouth, it is likely that you will need some other form of treatment to cure your bad breath.

A doctor would be able to deal with and treat you for a systemic cause such as Ketones. Ketones, usually excreted through urine, sweating and exhaled breath are chemicals which build up in your bloodstream causing halitosis. This is a particularly common condition in diabetics, people who have bad breath due to dieting or starving themselves, or those without a sufficient intake of carbs.

Known as Ketosis, this condition can be life threatening and halitosis or bad breath may be one of the first indications of a medical problem of a serious nature. This is another good reason to get persistent bad breath checked out by a professional.

Once the cause of bad breath has been determined, treatment to cure it is quite simple. However, prescriptions must be followed and changes of habit must be adhered to if bad breath is to be kept at bay. Unfortunately, bad breath can develop at any time, so you have to work hard at maintaining your fresh mouth at all times. If you are in any doubt, ask a close friend or family member to be honest with you and tell you if your breath smells bad, but always remember that keeping your appointments with your dentist and following a strict brushing and flossing routine, goes a long way to getting rid of bad breath for good.