Bad Breath
Alternate Names : Halitosis, Fetor Oris
Bad breath refers to an unpleasant, unusual, or offensive odor to the breath.
What is going on in the body?
Bad breath can be caused by factors within the mouth, which are referred to as
local factors. It may also be caused by systemic factors, which means
bodywide diseases or conditions.
What are the causes and risks of the symptom?
Following are some local causes of bad breath:
poor oral hygiene
smoking
tooth abscess
impacted wisdom tooth
certain foods, such as garlic
not eating for a long time
alcohol
mouth or throat infections, such as strep throat
gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums
periodontitis, or an inflammation of the structures supporting the
tooth
sinus infection
cold
or flu
nose infection
overgrown tonsils catching food, which is common in children
Some systemic, or bodywide, causes of bad breath include the following:
drugs and medications
kidney disease
lung abscess, or pus pocket within the lungs
bronchitis
conditions that cause dry mouth, such as Sjogren's syndrome
stomach or bowel problems
constipation
poorly controlled diabetes
liver disease
certain kinds of cancer
infection with the AIDS virus
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