What Causes Halitosis?

Posted on Sat, 11 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 11 Mar 2017 Answered on

Tue, 4 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I brush my teeth twice a day, first thing in the morning and in the evening shower. Most of the days I feel like I am having bad breath. Kindly suggest me best practices to keep myself healthy and to get rid of bad breath.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please provide following details..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the query..

As per the symptoms bad breath can occur due to a number of causes and reducing bad breath needs resolution of the underlying cause of bad breath..

Please provide following details so that I can guide you better.

1.Do you have any digestive problems?
2.Do you have Sinusitis?
3.Do you experience a Dry mouth?
4.Do you have any white layer/ coating on tongue?
5.Do you have any decayed tooth or bleeding gums?
6.Do you have a problem of Tonsil stones?
7.Do you experience hyperacidity or acid reflux problem?
8.Do you have any medical problems or are you on any medication?

Please revert back with answers..

Regards..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (4 hours later)

Hi..
Thank you for replying back. Here are the answers to the questions you asked.

1.Do you have any digestive problems? - No
2.Do you have Sinusitis? NO
3.Do you experience a Dry mouth? - Yes, I do sometimes. Mostly this happens in the afternoon hours before lunch and in the evening at around 4-5 PM.
4.Do you have any white layer/ coating on tongue? Yes, I can see a white layer on my tongue but its mostly concentrated on the inner side i.e. away from tip of the tongue.
5.Do you have any decayed tooth or bleeding gums? I can't really say, but I don't experience any pain in tooth or anything of that sort. My central incisor (lower) have developed a yellowish layer. Other than that I don't feel anything is there to tell.
6.Do you have a problem of Tonsil stones? No.
7.Do you experience hyperacidity or acid reflux problem? No.
8.Do you have any medical problems or are you on any medication? I don't have any medical problems. Though I have been taking anti bacterial tablets for skin infection, but the bad breath problem has been there before I was taking these tablets. I took this tablets for 20 days which ended on 10-03-2017.

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
You should consult a Dentist..

Detailed Answer:
Hi..
Thanks for the answers..

Well, it looks like you have fungal infection on tongue causing Oral Thrush and also a dry mouth..
Both these conditions contribute to bad breath..

Consult an Oral Physician or a Dentist and get evaluated.

You can be advised antifungal medication like Nystatin mouthwash, Clotrimazole lozenges and plenty of Probiotics like Yogurt and garlic..
For dry mouth you can chew sugar free chewing gum and suck tart candies..
You can chew flavoured sugar free chewing gum as it helps in masking bad breath too..

Once get a thorough scaling done..

Hopefully with these measures bad breath will be resolved ..

Please write back for more queries..

Hope this information helps..

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Honey Arora (33 hours later)

Hi...

Thank you for your time and suggestions.

regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Honey Arora (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please rate the question..

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX.
If your query is resolved please write a Positive review and rate the query as Five star.

Wishing you a good health .

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D