Halitosis is the clinical term for chronic bad breath that does not go away with brushing and flossing. It is most often a result of poor oral hygiene leading to periodontal disease, but it can be a sign of an underlying medical condition. Let’s take a closer look at some of the issues that lead to halitosis and what type of odor to be aware of.

What does halitosis smell like?

Halitosis smells different depending on the cause. Your dentist can help determine what the issue might be, depending on the odor and the taste that you are experiencing. Some odors you may experience with halitosis include:

Decay

Tooth decay and periodontal disease smell like decay and are referred to as “perio breath”. As bacteria invade the gum tissue and bone structure, those tissues essentially begin to die and will produce a foul odor.

Sweet/Fruity

Patients living with diabetes can suffer from the production of ketones, leading to ketoacidosis, which causes a fruity odor and can be an indicator of kidney disease.

Rotten Eggs/Sulfur

Issues in the digestive tract, like GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), in which stomach acid washes back up into the esophagus, cause damage to the esophageal lining and make your breath smell sulfurous.

Fishy

When the kidneys are diseased or damaged, they no longer filter toxins and waste properly. These begin to accumulate within the body and can cause a fishy smell on the breath.

Mold or Fungus

A sinus infection and post-nasal drip at the back of the throat allow microbes and foreign particles to build up in the excessive mucus, causing the breath to smell like mold or fungus. This will typically resolve itself once the infection is treated.

Fecal

A bowel obstruction can cause a fecal smell on the breath. When the large and small intestines are no longer able to process waste, stool backs up, and anything you eat remains trapped in the digestive tract. As the food in your digestive tract and the stool trapped in your bowels begin to ferment, it can give your breath a fecal smell.

It is important to address chronic bad breath so that the cause can be treated. If you have occasional bad breath, simply improving your oral hygiene routine and incorporating a tongue scraper can be a game-changer. Your dentist should be the first call to address halitosis because they will be able to help you identify the cause and will know if you need to see your general practitioner for further evaluation.

If your halitosis is due to periodontal disease, your dentist will be able to create a treatment plan to get your teeth and gums healthy and get rid of your halitosis once and for all! Patients with gum disease will benefit from a more frequent schedule of hygiene appointments with their dental office, and if that is recommended, it is important to stick to it. Prevention is easier and cheaper than treatment, so be sure to adhere to your dentist’s treatment and maintenance plan.