Bad Breath Could be the Sign of Other Diseases

Halitosis, or bad breath, is most often connected to diet, lifestyle choices, or poor oral hygiene. However, other diseases that affect the body can produce odors that can be detected in the breath. Those with bad breath issues should consult a dental care provider for possible identification of these health issues.

Most people know that eating certain foods, such as garlic and onions, will produce bad breath that can last for hours. Using tobacco or alcohol can produce chronic halitosis as well. There are also certain medications that dry out the mouth, producing an unpleasant odor. In addition, certain health conditions cause bad breath.

When the body is affected by illness, certain volatile compounds are released through metabolism, introducing new components or altering existing levels of gases in the system that are then exhaled through breathing. These altered components produce an odor that can be detected in the breath and may signal infections of the upper respiratory tract, diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, diseases affecting the lungs, kidneys, liver, and more.

The development of electronic detection devices, referred to as e-noses, is in the works. These sensitive devices will separate and detect components in the breath to identify certain diseases. However, these devices are not quite ready for actual use. Until then, if you suffer from bad breath, make an appointment to see our dentist in North Hollywood to help determine if your halitosis may be caused by an underlying medical condition.