What Your Breath May Say About Your Health?
Foul-smelling breath can be an embarrassing problem that carries a significant degree of social stigma. Unfortunately, however, this oral ailment might also indicate the presence of numerous health issues, some of which may be serious. Bucks County Smiles, a team of dentists operating a practice serving the people of Yardley, Pennsylvania and the surrounding regions invites current and prospective patients to read this short blog highlighting what specific incidents of foul breath could mean regarding their health.
Common Causes
In many instances, bad breath is caused by pathogens like bacteria or toxins contained in the foods and products individuals consume and ingest. Common culprits include cigarette smoke, diets rife with odorous foods like garlic, and the presence of poor dental health that might have lead to the development of issues such as dental infections, tooth decay and gum disease.
Potentially More Serious Causes
Foul-smelling breath can also be precipitated by a host of other medical conditions, including some that could potentially pose life-threatening complications such as:
Diabetes
People whose emit what medical professionals refer to as “fruity” smelling breath might be afflicted with diabetes. This unusual manifestation could indicate that the individual in question possesses a serious diabetic complication known as ketoacidosis. Such a malady occurs because the body lacks insulin and is forced to utilize fat reserves to produce energy. Should this condition progress, diabetic coma and eventually death might ensue.
Kidney Disease
Persons who experience breath that smells like fish might possess serious kidney problems. This symptom occurs because the kidneys are too weak to filter pollutants and toxins from the blood. These harmful particles produce the foul odor.
Lung Cancer
This often deadly malignancy may be detected though s imple breath tests. Though not typically noticeable to the noses of persons, certain odors produced by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) known to be created by the bodies of lung cancer sufferers can be identified by electronic odor-sensing apparatuses.
GERD
Gastroesophageal reflux disease, sometimes simply referred to as acid reflux happens when passages separating the stomach and esophagus fail to properly close. This event enables acid to accumulate inside the esophagus, which can cause stricken individuals heartburn, belching and the regurgitation of food. This acid can also precipitate significant oral care problems including sour-smelling breath.
H Pylori
This substance is a specific type of bacteria present in the gastrointestinal tracts of certain individuals. This pathogen can not only precipitate the onset of significantly bad breath but stimulate the development of serious digestive problems like ulcers and various kinds of cancer.
Medications
Specific over-the-counter and prescription drugs might contain chemicals that could precipitate the development of a variety of different foul or unusual odors emanating from the users mouth.
Dehydration
When the body’s water content is diminished, the mouth typically becomes quite dry. This lack of saliva and other fluids can precipitate the development of increased bacterial growth. Said pathogens often produce a foul odor.
Liver Disease
The mouths of those afflicted with advanced liver disease might emit a “sweet, moldy” odor. Like the kidneys, the liver is responsible for ridding the body of toxins. This foul breath manifestation indicates that an accumulation of harmful toxins might be present.
Contact Us
Individuals who have bad breath or have questions about this subject are encouraged to contact us.
