We often tend to confuse bad breath and breath odor or use them with the same meaning. However, these two issues contain extremely large differences from each other. The treatments needed to eliminate them are also different from each other. Dentrum, one of Adana's leading Oral and Dental Health Polyclinics, explained the differences between bad breath and breath odor for you.
What Is Breath Odor?
The h. pylori gastritis in the stomach is broken down by the protein and bacteria in the foods we consume. As a result of this breakdown process, ammonia is observed. Ammonia, which mixes into the breath in the form of blood gas and is expelled through the respiratory tract, causes the person's breath to smell bad. In other words, the phenomenon we call breath odor does not arise from the foods we eat. Most of the time, it stems from another health problem.
Causes of Breath Odor
- Liver Failure
- Metabolic disorders
- Diabetes
- Infections occurring in the lungs and sinuses
- Kidney Failure
What Is Bad Breath?
Confusing bad breath and breath odor and assuming they are the same thing is a common misconception. Bad breath is a situation that should be considered more normal compared to breath odor. Most of the time, it arises from consumed foods and from oral hygiene not being adequately ensured. The surface of the tongue has a rough structure. This provides an area for bacteria to cling to. The protein in the foods we consume is broken down into sulfur components by the bacteria living in our mouth. This leads to bad breath.
The Basic Causes of Bad Breath
- Prolonged hunger
- Dryness occurring in the mouth
- Cigarettes and tobacco products
- Unhealthy and irregular eating
- Tooth decay and gum problems
The Differences Between Breath Odor and Bad Breath
- Breath odor mostly arises due to another disease. However, bad breath is mostly related to oral hygiene, bacteria, and consumed foods.
- To eliminate breath odor, paying attention to oral and dental health alone is not enough. In addition, the disease underlying the source of the problem needs to be identified and treated.
- Bad breath can be eliminated by treating tooth decay, hygiene problems, or throat infections, if any. Using dental floss, using mouthwash, and brushing the teeth regularly will largely prevent bad breath.
- From time to time, breath odor is also accompanied by complaints such as watery eyes or a burning sensation in the eyes.
