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Feb 3, 2023 · Bad breath can arise from a problem in your mouth or throat, or from metabolic processes. Depending on the cause, your breath may smell sweet, sour, rotten, musty, fishy, or like ammonia.
Dec 7, 2020 · Bacteria breaks down food particles trapped in the teeth or mouth. The combination of the bacteria and decaying food in your mouth produces an unpleasant odor.
Dec 21, 2023 · If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria called plaque forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate your gums. Eventually, it can form plaque-filled pockets between your teeth and gums.
- Caroline Kee
- Diabetes. People who are diabetic or pre-diabetic may experience a peculiar smelling breath: Think fruit or nail polish remover, Hoss explains. "The body, because of the lack of insulin, can't burn sugar, so it starts burning fat instead and produces these chemicals called ketones," says Hoss.
- Acid reflux. Sometimes, bad breath can be caused by an issue bubbling up from the stomach. Acid reflux or gastroesophageal reflux, occurs when acid in the stomach flows back up the esophagus, says Hoss.
- Kidney problems. “If your kidneys aren’t functioning correctly, they can’t filter out certain minerals out of your blood properly,” says Hoss. The kidneys work to remove toxins and other waste products from the blood, which are then excreted in your urine, per the Cleveland Clinic.
- Liver disease. You may be able to smell liver issues or liver disease on your breath. “When your liver isn’t working properly, it can’t filter toxins from the blood or regulate your blood sugar,” says Hoss.
Jun 11, 2024 · Halitosis may have several distinct smells, including: A fruity breath odor (common with diabetes) A foul, fecal smell, such as from prolonged vomiting or when there is a bowel obstruction; Ammonia or fishy smell (associated with kidney failure)
- Kathi Valeii
There’s a big difference between bad breath and halitosis. Bad breath is easily overcome and can literally be wiped away. While embarrassing, it’s often only temporary. Halitosis on the other hand is usually a symptom of something more sinister. If you have halitosis for real, then it won’t just go away by itself.
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Nov 8, 2024 · 9 min read. Bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits or may be a sign of other health problems. Certain types of foods you eat and unhealthy lifestyle...