Why saliva is smelly

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. If no one is available, one way of checking the odor is to lick your wrist, leave it to dry, and then smell it. A bad smell on this area of the wrist is likely to suggest that you have halitosis.

Some individuals are concerned about their breath even though they may have little or no mouth odor. This condition is called halitophobia and can lead to obsessive mouth-cleansing behavior. If breath odor persists despite controlling these factors, it is recommended that an individual visits a doctor for further tests to rule out other conditions.

Often, a dentist will simply smell the breath of a person with suspected halitosis and rate the odor on a six-point intensity scale. The dentist may scrape the back of the tongue and smell the scrapings as this area can often be a source of the aroma.

Body odor results from bacteria breaking down molecules in sweat. Learn more about the causes of body odor and how to prevent and treat it here. The bugs take advantage of the fact that your production of saliva slows way down during sleep—and since your saliva helps "clean" your mouth, your breath might have a bad odor until you brush your teeth the next morning. Morning breath is totally normal, but some researchers refer to it as " morning halitosis.

Mouth-breathing may make your saliva evaporate, which can dry out your mouth and reduce your mouth's ability to rinse away food particles. Some people breathe through their mouths while they sleep, but many people often do it during exercise as well, says Hadie Rifai , a dentist at the Cleveland Clinic.

In fact, dental hygiene in athletes is currently being studied by experts: One study by researchers from Germany found that the more time people spent in training, the more likely they were to have cavities.

The scientists also speculated that the reduced saliva flow during exercise may play a role. That's not a reason to stop exercising, of course.

Just make sure you stay hydrated during a workout and replenish your fluids afterwards, Dr. Rifai says. Garlic and onions are two famous offenders, but other culprits include spices, cabbage, Brussels sprouts , cauliflower, and radishes. And even though the pungent scent of those foods might fade away after an hour or two, it can still come back up again—in one big garlicy burp.

And bad breath from food can occasionally stem from the GI tract, not just your mouth. When you digest food, the chemicals are eventually absorbed into your bloodstream and enter your lungs, where you can expel them later , "says John Grbic , a dentist at ColumbiaDoctors in New York City. Skipping meals is a surefire way to have bad breath.

That's because when we don't eat, we don't produce as much saliva. Why's that important? Because saliva doesn't just clean up food particles, it also breaks down that food to help it slide down our throats more easily, says Dr.

Oh, and one more thing: Skipping meals isn't a very good way to lose weight, either. Add halitosis to the list of health conditions that can be caused by cigarettes. Unsurprisingly, smoking not only increases the amount of odor-producing compounds in a person's mouth and lungs, but the habit can also dry out your mouth, leading to lower saliva production , according to a review by researchers from Hong Kong.

The mucus in your nose helps filter all the foreign particles that you breathe in from the environment—a good thing. A studies showed that approximately 80 percent of people who smoke have halitosis. Smoking itself can cause bad breath, and smoking can also cause mouth and gum diseases that worsen breath. Saliva breaks down food and helps manage bacterial growth in your mouth.

Xerostomia can lead to gum disease, cavities, and other odor-causing problems. In rare cases, a disorder in the salivary gland can interfere with saliva production.

Because bad breath can make you feel self-conscious, there are numerous remedies on the market to correct it. The American Dental Association recommends brushing twice daily for at least 2 minutes. If you have dental appliances, a device that uses water to jet away food, like a Waterpik , might work better than floss or tape.

Some mouthwashes kill bacteria as they freshen your breath, and many contain fluoride to protect your teeth and gums from decay. Seeing a dentist twice a year is an important preventative measure. Regular cleanings can remove stubborn plaque buildup that can be hard to get rid of on your own.

Your dentist or hygienist can also show you techniques and devices for making sure you follow the most effective at-home dental hygiene practices. Because bad breath is most often caused by something going on in your mouth or throat, a dentist can help isolate the cause. Treating the smell of your breath may require getting the medical condition under control. Smoking cigarettes and using chewing tobacco or snuff can increase your risk of many serious health conditions, including:.

Not only will quitting tobacco improve your breath , but it may also reduce your risk of many other health problems. 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. Show references Bad breath: Causes and tips for controlling it. The Journal of the American Dental Association. Mark AM. Targeting bad breath. What is halitosis? Academy of General Dentistry. Accessed Jan. Dry mouth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research.

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