Question: I AM CONCERNED ABOUT HAVING A BAD BREATH ODOR, EVEN FROM JUST BREATHING. I DON’T KNOW WHAT TYPE OF SMELL IT IS, BUT I NOTICE WHEN I AM SPEAKING CLOSELY TO SOMEONE THEY WITHDREW. EVEN SITTING NEAR TO SOMEONE I FEEL A DISCOMFORT. I DON’T HAVE CAVITIES, AND I BRUSH THREE TIMES A DAY AND FLOSS ONCE A DAY, I BRUSH THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH AND USE A TONGUE SCRAPPER FOR MY TONGUE. I THINK MY PROBLEM IS INTERNALLY. IN THE PAST I NOTICE A SMALL RED SPOT ON THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH.
Answer:
Thanks for your question. This is not an uncommon problem that we see at the Sinus Center. There are many causes of a bad breath odor or Halitosis
While probably the most common one is oral- such as cavities, gum infections, dry mouth or poor oral hygiene- there are quite a few others.
Certain foods- such as garlic, onions and a few others can leave us with a bad oral odor.
We see patients with bad breath from 2 main causes-
Sinus infections can cause a fetid odor from the bacteria in the sinuses, that then may drip down into the back of the nose and throat.
Gastric reflux can cause a bitter odor if acid from the stomach comes up as far as the throat.
In children, foreign bodies lodged in the nose, as well as sinus infections and infections of the adenoids and reflux as well can cause bad breath.
Certain medications can cause bad breath, especially those that cause drying of the mucous membranes- especially narcotics, water pills (diuretics) and some antihistamines.
One must not forget tobacco- which clearly causes bad breath-
Lastly, you must also be sure that there is not a systemic metabolic cause- such as diabetes and kidney disease.
I hope this helps clear things up
Robert Pincus MD.
NY Otolaryngology Group
Co-Director NY Sinus Center
Frequently Asked Questions
Common oral causes of bad breath include cavities, gum infections, dry mouth, and poor oral hygiene. Certain foods like garlic and onions can also contribute to a bad oral odor. Regular brushing, flossing, and tongue cleaning can help minimize these causes.
Sinus infections can cause a fetid odor due to bacteria present in the sinuses. This bacteria-laden mucus may drip down the back of the nose and throat, resulting in noticeable bad breath.
Yes, gastric reflux can cause a bitter odor if stomach acid reaches the throat. This acidic content can produce an unpleasant breath odor often mistaken for other causes.
In children, bad breath may be caused by foreign bodies lodged in the nose, sinus infections, adenoid infections, and reflux. These conditions should be evaluated by a healthcare professional to determine the root cause.
Certain medications that dry out the mucous membranes, such as narcotics, diuretics (water pills), and some antihistamines, can contribute to bad breath by reducing saliva flow and allowing odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
Tobacco use clearly causes bad breath by drying out the mouth and introducing odor-causing chemicals. Quitting tobacco can significantly improve breath odor and overall oral health.
Yes, systemic metabolic conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can cause bad breath due to changes in the body’s chemistry. If oral and sinus causes are ruled out, these underlying diseases should be investigated.
