Even after brushing, ugh~ bad breath... If you don't have mouth sores, then 'this place' is a problem.

Oral health issues

It is the most common and typical cause. First, food debris remaining between the mouth and teeth is decomposed by bacteria, leading to bad breath, which worsens over time. In other words, bad breath primarily occurs due to gases produced as food decomposes within the oral cavity. Additionally, if proper oral hygiene is not maintained and an unsanitary condition persists, bacteria that cause periodontal disease will proliferate. In other words, these bacteria emit unpleasant gases, and these gases cause bad breath.

If you have cavities or periodontal disease, bad breath can become even worse. In cases of oral infections, diabetes, or bleeding, unpleasant odors may also occur due to pus, blood, or other factors.

It is necessary to check for dental diseases and receive appropriate treatment. Additionally, if the mouth is dry, bad odor can worsen, so it is good to drink water frequently.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease

Gastrointestinal issues such as reflux esophagitis are also major causes of bad breath. Reflux esophagitis refers to a condition where stomach acid or gastric juices flow back into the esophagus, causing sores and inflammation. The lower esophageal sphincter, which sits between the stomach and esophagus and prevents the reflux of food or stomach acid, becomes relaxed. In this state, digestion in the gastrointestinal tract is not properly carried out, leading to the formation of gases that can reflux and be perceived as bad breath through the mouth. In other words, it can be thought of as a foul smell rising when you burp. If a disease is diagnosed, treatment should be the priority. About 4 to 6 months of medication is typically required. Additionally, it is advisable to avoid lying down immediately after eating or wearing tight clothing that presses on the abdomen. Foods containing caffeine, such as chocolate, green tea, and coffee, weaken the lower esophageal sphincter, so it is necessary to avoid them.

Sinusitis

Sinusitis, commonly referred to as sinus infection, is an inflammation caused by bacteria or viruses invading the air-filled cavities called sinuses located beside the nose. When you have sinusitis, your nose becomes blocked, leading to mouth breathing and dry mouth, which is one of the causes of bad breath. Most importantly, the sticky yellow-green nasal discharge caused by sinusitis is the main source of bad breath. This discharge can lead to post-nasal drip, where the mucus flows down the back of the throat, resulting in a foul odor through the mouth. In cases of sinusitis, initial treatment involves medication, and if there is no improvement, surgical intervention may be necessary. Surgery under general anesthesia requires a hospital stay of about three to four days. To prevent sinusitis, it is important to treat colds or rhinitis promptly.

Tonsil stones

Tonsil stones are known to be more likely to occur in cases of chronic tonsillitis. When someone frequently suffers from tonsillitis, food debris can get stuck in the small holes called 'tonsillar crypts' in the tonsils, creating an environment conducive to bacterial growth. The small, yellowish-white particles formed by the accumulated food debris and proliferated bacteria are called tonsil stones.

As can be inferred from the process of tonsil stone formation, tonsil stones are a primary cause of bad breath. They cause severe halitosis. One of the main symptoms of tonsil stones is bad breath. Although medication can be used, there is a possibility of recurrence, so surgery is recommended. This involves removing the tonsils, known as tonsillectomy. It is considered when a person experiences tonsillitis more than three times a year or needs antibiotics for tonsillitis treatment.

Abnormalities of the liver and kidneys

The liver and kidneys are the body's primary detoxification organs. They play a role in breaking down or filtering out substances that are harmful to the body. When these organs have problems, it can lead to bad breath. Especially if there is a foul or rancid smell in the breath, it may be due to impaired liver function. There are terms such as 'hepatic halitosis' and 'hepatic odor' to describe the bad breath of liver disease patients. This occurs when waste products that the liver cannot detoxify are expelled as severe bad breath. It can also be described as a moldy smell, rotten egg smell, or sour odor.

The same applies when there is an abnormality in the kidneys (renal). If the kidneys cannot perform their proper function, waste products in the blood are not filtered out and instead rise through the lungs as breath. Therefore, if you have a kidney disease, your breath may smell similar to urine odor. This is because ammonia that cannot be excreted from the body leaks out through the breath. The reason people say their breath smells like a bathroom is exactly this. For reference, in severe cases of diabetes, the breath may have a sweet or acetone smell. Therefore, if persistent unexplained bad breath occurs, it is important to first check whether there is an underlying health issue and receive appropriate treatment.