1. Bacterial colony in the mouth

Up to 1000 different species of bacteria live in our mouths. We brush most of them from our teeth with toothbrushes or rinse them down with saliva. But with a lack of oral hygiene or inflammation in the mouth, the tiny creatures can become stuck. Some of them release sulfur compounds, fatty acids or polyamines that smell foul.

2. Viruses, fungi and tumors

Viruses, fungi or even tumors in the mouth and throat can also be to blame for bad breath. A herpes infection can cause, for example, an inflammation of the oral mucosa with mouth rot. Abscesses and fistulas can also trigger a foul odor – if they cause a purulent inflammation in the root canal.

3. Decreased salivation

Saliva flushes and cleans the mouth. Those who have little saliva therefore get bad breath more quickly. That’s why so many snorers wake up in the morning with bad breath. Some people naturally produce little saliva. But prolonged fasting, stress or diseases of the salivary glands can also reduce the flow of saliva.

4. Smelly dentures

Overall, it becomes more difficult to avoid bad breath with age. Older people not only have dry mouths more often, but also need dentures more often. And this offers ideal living conditions for bacteria. If you don’t clean your dentures properly, you increase your risk of smelling unpleasant from your mouth.

5. Smelly side effect

Some medications also promote the development of bad breath. Some drugs make it easier for fungi and bacteria to colonize the oral mucosa, others dry out the mouth. According to the German Society for Dental, Oral and Maxillofacial Medicine, iron supplements, appetite suppressants and antidepressants, for example, reduce salivation.

6. Poisoning with odor development

Poisoning can also cause bad breath. For example, your breath smells of garlic when you poison yourself with phosphorus or selenium, and of bitter almond if you have swallowed hydrogen cyanide. In such cases, however, bad breath is only a minor matter – it is important to visit the doctor who treats the poisoning.

7. Unloved smoker

Smokers are more likely to have bad breath than non-smokers. On the one hand, because the components of the smoke themselves smell unpleasant. But also, because smoking dries out the mouth.

8. Fat people smell more often

Researchers at the University of Tel Aviv have found a clear connection between obesity and bad breath. Why overweight people suffer more often from bad breath is still unclear. They may consume more foods that dry out their mouths, such as salty ready meals.

9. Imaginary bad breath

In some cases, only one person – the affected person himself – perceives the foul smell, it cannot be detected. Experts then assume that the perception is psychological. This phenomenon is called pseudohalitosis or halitophobia.

10. Diseases as a cause

Stomach problems, such as reflux (tubeburn), are often blamed for bad breath. However, reflux is rarely the cause of the foul odor. Diseases such as cirrhosis of the liver, kidney failure, poorly controlled diabetes or acute rheumatic fever can also promote bad breath in rare cases.

In the UAE

Residents who live in the UAE should ask to include dental coverage on their health plans. With a vibrant lifestyle and cultural diversity, maintaining optimal dental care practices is crucial for combating bad breath and promoting overall oral health.

Given the multicultural population and the emphasis on personal grooming and hygiene in the UAE, addressing bad breath requires a multifaceted approach, with dental care playing a central role. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings are essential for preventing and detecting oral health issues early on, including gum disease and dental decay, which can contribute to halitosis.