5 Diseases Characterized by Bad Breath

Bad breath isn't only caused by poor oral hygiene, but also can occur thanks to various diseases. Bad breath caused by disease generally features a distinctive odor, counting on the cause and which organ is disturbed.

Research shows that 80% of bad breath is caused by problems with oral health. However, some diseases can cause bad breath. Each of these diseases causes different bad breath, ranging from sweet odors like the smell of fruit to foul odors like dirt.

Recognizing Various Diseases that Cause Bad Breath

Some diseases that can cause bad breath are:

1. Cavities

The rest of the food and bacteria can be trapped in the hole in the tooth for a long time to rot. This condition causes a foul-smelling mouth. In addition to cavities, inflammation of the gums and dry mouth can also be a cause of foul-smelling bad breath.

2. Sinusitis

Bad breath experienced by people with sinusitis can occur when phlegm-containing bacteria from the nose drops into the throat. Bad breath sufferers tend to smell like sinusitis. In addition to bad breath, people with sinusitis can also experience prolonged colds, green or yellow nasal mucus, fever, and headaches.

3. Gastric acid disease

If bad breath due to sinusitis smells like feces, bad breath caused by stomach acid disease tends to smell sour. This can occur because stomach acid rises to the esophagus causing a sour odor in the mouth.

4. Diabetes

Bad breath that arises due to diabetes smells like fruit. Bad breath in diabetics arises when the amount of insulin is not enough to take sugar from the blood as an energy source, so the body burns fat instead. From this fat-burning, ketone acids are formed which causes bad breath resembling the aroma of fruit.

5. Kidney disease

Bad breath may be associated with kidney disease if it smells like urine or smells fishy. If the kidneys do not function properly, toxins and metabolic waste products of the body cannot be excreted through urine. These toxins and waste substances then accumulate and spread throughout the body, giving rise to the smell of urine or fish that can be smelled from the mouth.

How to Overcome Bad Breath

Bad breath that occurs due to illness or health problems can be overcome with treatment from a doctor. Treatment will be tailored to the illness. After the disease is resolved, bad breath generally will also disappear.

But to help reduce bad breath, you can try the following ways:

1. Routine brushing teeth

To overcome bad breath, brush your teeth regularly at least twice a day, especially after every meal. Brushing your teeth regularly can help lift food debris and bacteria from your teeth that cause bad breath.

2. Using dental floss

Brushing your teeth is not enough, because the leftovers can still be stuck between your teeth. Therefore, you are advised to clean between your teeth using dental floss, after each brushing or at least once a day.

3. Clean the tongue regularly

The tongue is also a place for bacteria that cause bad breath to multiply, so it needs to be cleaned regularly. You can use a special tongue cleaning tool to remove dirt and bacteria that stick to the surface of the tongue.

4. Gargling with mouthwash

To get rid of bad breath, you can use mouthwash. With gargling, food debris and bacteria that cause bad breath can be removed and wasted.

You can use mouthwash from natural ingredients that contain saga leaves, betel leaves, and liquorice (licorice). These ingredients are considered able to inhibit the growth of bacteria that cause cavities and the cause of bad breath and leave a refreshing aroma in the mouth.

5. Increase the consumption of water

In addition to caring for dental and oral hygiene, you are also advised to increase drinking water. Drinking more water can keep your mouth from drying out, which is one of the causes of bad breath.

In addition, drinking more water can also help rinse leftover food stuck to the oral cavity and between the teeth, so no decay causes bad breath.

Know the cause of bad breath that you experience so that it can be overcome in the right way. If bad breath does not go away or it gets worse, immediately consult a doctor.