Why saliva stinks

Freshen up your inbox with exclusive offers, pro tips, and other smile-worthy treats from Colgate. Nobody wants to have halitosis, a. How to tell if your breath smells is trickier than it seems, unfortunately—but there are ways. Read on to learn how to know if you have bad breath so you can kick halitosis to the curb. It can be tricky to figure out how to tell if your breath smells, but luckily, it's not impossible.

If you think you might have bad breath, don't worry—there are plenty of ways to help prevent and treat it. Of course, the best way to avoid bad breath in the first place is to keep up a good dental hygiene routine—but sometimes bad breath has mysterious causes, like diet or health conditions, so don't be too hard on yourself.

It may feel awkward to ask someone to look inside your mouth or smell your breath and give you feedback. Just make sure it's an appropriate person to ask, like a partner or family member. You can try asking someone you're close with to take a peek at the inside of your mouth to see if they notice a white coating on the back of your tongue, a common sign of bacteria that causes bad breath.

If you're too embarrassed to ask a friend, you can always ask your dentist. A dentist can assess the air from your mouth and nose to find the source of any odor.

Whatever the outcome, a dentist will be able to help you treat or prevent bad breath from happening in the future. Need to check how your breath smells quickly? Try the sniff test—there are a couple of ways to do it.

The five most common types of bad breath people with halitosis have include: Rotten Egg Smell : If your bad breath is close to the smell of rotten eggs, this may be an indication that there is an issue with your digestive track, such as GERD Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease , which can release egg-smelling gas when breaking down sulfur. Because patients with diabetes or kidney disease do not produce enough insulin, they are more likely to produce ketones, which often resemble acetone and produce a sweet or fruity odor.

Fungus or Moldy Smell : Microbial buildups, infections, or growths in the sinuses can result in breath that smells like fungus or mold. Patients with a sinus infection can experience thick mucus dripping to the back of the throat from the sinuses or nose. You may also want to consider sleeping with a humidifier in your room if your dry mouth tends to be caused from sleeping with your mouth open.

Limiting caffeine, antihistamines, and alcohol may also help. Also, try not to use an oral rinse or mouthwash that contains alcohol. There are a number of products on the market to moisten your mouth, including rinses, chewing gums, and mouth sprays that can help replenish fluids. Bacteria, gum disease, cavities, dry mouth, poorly fitting dental devices, and infections are among the leading causes of bad breath. Sometimes problems in the intestinal tract, liver, and kidneys are at the root of the problem.

To prevent or treat bad breath, practice good dental hygiene and be sure to get regular dental checkups. They can help determine if your breath odor is caused by an underlying health condition. Smelling your own breath is surprisingly difficult, but there are a few ways to test if your breath is less than fresh.

An unpleasant odor coming from your mouth can have a negative effect on your confidence or relationships. Cavity symptoms or signs of tooth decay can include sensitivity to heat, cold, or sweet foods. You may also have tooth pain or notice discoloration…. These scientifically backed methods for clearing bad breath really work. Learn how to tackle bad breath fast with these natural remedies. Breath that smells like poop can have minor or severe causes. We're here to help you distinguish the difference and find a solution.

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Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Anyone can suffer from bad breath. It is estimated that 1 in 4 people have bad breath on a regular basis. Halitosis is the third most common reason that people seek dental care, after tooth decay and gum disease. Simple home remedies and lifestyle changes, such as improved dental hygiene and quitting smoking , can often remove the issue. If bad breath persists, however, it is advisable to visit a doctor to check for underlying causes.

The best method to reduce halitosis is good oral hygiene. This ensures that cavities are avoided and reduces the likelihood of gum disease. The dentist may recommend a toothpaste that includes an antibacterial agent or an antibacterial mouthwash.

Alternatively, if gum disease is present, professional cleaning may be necessary to clear out the build-up of bacteria in pockets between the gums and teeth. As mentioned earlier, the most common reason for bad breath is oral hygiene, but other situations can also be to blame.

The specific odor of breath can vary depending on the cause of the problem. It is best to ask a close friend or relative to gauge your mouth odor, as it can be difficult to assess it yourself.