Halitosis (Bad breath): Why do Saliva and Tongue Smells Badly?

Let's not beat around the bush: sometimes saliva smell and often link to bad breath. Before we go any further, let's remember that there's nothing wrong with that unless you have oral diseases. Sometimes body parts are a little bit stinky.

Smelling your saliva on the back of your hand and you quickly jump to a conclusion that you have bad breath is not trustworthy. You really need better prove like making use of a small hand-held tester, like Tanita breath checker. For more information take a look at this page - Bad Breath Tester - Which is best?

The cause of bad breath is more likely to be an overgrowth of natural bacteria at the back of the tongue. You can treat this yourself at home!

Why does saliva smell often and cause mouth odor?

Under normal circumstances, Saliva itself shouldn’t smell, however, this sulfur of a thing live normally on the surface of the tongue and inside the throat can lead to an odor.

If it appears that your saliva has an odor it’s more likely to be Halitosis.

Halitosis (bad breath) is often caused by these-producing bacteria that are in the mouth and on the surface of the tongue. Halitosis is not infectious.

What causes bad breath (Halitosis)?

According to Medical research, about 2.4% of the adult population suffers from bad breath. The studies show that 3 sulfide compounds referred to as Volatile Sulfur Compounds are responsible for bad breath. They are hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide.

Also, periodontal disease whereas the bone and gum tissue is necrotic and dying, toxins from sinus drainage, salivary glands plugged up creating lumps or cysts, etc…

Apart from the sulfur-producing bacteria that surround the back of the tongue, the other major causes of halitosis are:

1. Dental problems – such as periodontitis (infection around the teeth) or poor oral hygiene

2. Dry mouth – caused by medicines, alcohol, stress or a medical condition

3. Smoking – which starves the mouth of oxygen.

Less common causes of mouth odor (halitosis) include:

• Acid and bile reflux from the stomach
• Post-nasal discharge – for example, due to chronic sinusitis
• Kidney failure, various carcinomas, metabolic dysfunctions, and biochemical disorders, together account for only a very small percentage of halitosis suffers
• Foods - such as onions, garlic or cauliflower, which induce certain odors. However, these effects are only short-lived.

Saliva

Saliva is more than 98% of water. Interestingly, the majority suggested that saliva contains bacteria when in fact it actually has antibacterial properties as part of its constituents.

This does not mean that it is sterile or free from, but certainly it would be very low on the list of culprits (the bacteria of which), is causing bad odor.

It is much more likely that what you smell is the mouth-bourn bacteria from poor oral hygiene, illness, infection either body, sinus, or due to poor dental follow-up, and possibly, the fall-out from using certain medications that change the constituents of one’s saliva (but not odor causing).

These changes can cause decay of tooth enamel and of course result in poor dental health as well.

The factors that affect the smell of saliva generally have to do with diet, health, and oral hygiene.

Eating a lot of fats and refined foods may also give saliva an unpleasant scent. Gasses from the stomach can permeate the mouth, leaching into the moisture there.

Those with digestive problems should gradually incorporate more fiber intake into their diets, lower fat intake, and snack on fruits and vegetables instead of foods filled with empty calories. This often helps the body expel waste that may be giving the mouth an unpleasant odor.

Why Does the Keto or Low-carb Diet Give You Bad Breath?

There are three main reasons why your breath might be a little funky on a ketogenic diet:

• Acetone is produced as a ketone and extra ketones need to leave your body.
• Ammonia generated via protein digestion also needs to bounce.
• Dehydration causing dry mouth compounds halitosis and keto breath.

Check out how each of these is to blame for ketosis breath.

How to treat keto breath?

Poor oral hygiene isn’t the same as keto breath. But a dirty mouth doesn’t help the situation and makes everything worse.

1. Good oral hygiene
2. Recalculate Your Macros
3. Drink more water like lemon water
4. Limit your sugar-free gums
5. Avoid standard mint and gums totally
6. Use breath fresheners
7. Check your keto levels.

How to Test if you have mouth odor (halitosis)

So, let's take a quick look at a few simple ways of testing for bad breath, and why they don't work well at all.

• Cupping your hand over your mouth and breathing out through your mouth, then sniffing. All that happens here is that you smell your own hand.
• A better way is to lick the back of your hand with your tongue - but not the tip of your tongue. Try to use the middle bit of your tongue, as far back as possible. Then wait 10 seconds. Now try sniffing your hand. You may be able to detect a bad odor.
• Also, get a plastic spoon, and turn it upside down. Now try to scrape the very back of your tongue, as far back as possible. You will probably be able to scrape off a little bit of white coating. Try sniffing this. If it smells bad, then you probably have bad breath.

What is the best thing to eat to get rid of bad breath?

The following foods could provide relief for an hour or two until you are able to attack the underlying cause — odor-producing bacteria in your mouth.

What Are the Foods that can help get rid of bad breath?

• Green tea. Green tea contains catechin, a powerful antioxidant that can get rid off bacteria. So, the bacteria in your mouth can be reduced by drinking green tea.
• Apples and pears. “Fruits help with the production of saliva, which is essential for the normal flora of the mouth and throat. Also, celery, carrots, and cucumbers. These enhance the production of saliva and serves as the bacteria rinse agent. 
• Oranges, melons, and berries. These fruits, in particular, are rich in vitamin C. Vitamin C not only is helpful for keeping bacteria away, but also helps reduce gum diseases and gingivitis, which also can cause bad breath. 
• Almonds and other nuts. The fiber-rich content of fruits, vegetables, and nuts also acts on teeth and has been shown to keep odor-causing bacteria from staining teeth.

How to Treat Bad breath at home?

You need to Floss first, then brush, shortly after each meal, shortly after your last meal. Use Fluoride toothpaste and a soft brush.

Don’t eat again before sleeping, drink only water or water-based drinks without sugar.

Ask your relative if your breath is now better.
If all these steps fail to, visit a dentist as soon as possible.

Treating Bad Breath at the Dentist’s Office

At the dental office, you can get bad breath treatment such as scaling and root planing. They may also thoroughly clean your tongue and give you advice on which mouth rinses are the most effective for eliminating bad breath.

Scaling is when your dentist removes plaque, bacteria, and tartar deposits from around your teeth. Usually, in the case of persistent bad breath or gum disease, these elements are really built up, and removing them can be an involved process. It’s been compared to removing a splinter from your finger—it’s necessary for relief but can feel slightly painful.

If your roots have receded from your teeth, the dentist may also try root planing. This procedure feels similar to scaling, and it involves smoothing down the exposed roots of your teeth. When the roots are smooth instead of bumpy, it makes it harder for bacteria to cling to. That also helps to get rid of bad breath.

Your dentist may also be able to tell if the bad breath is coming from an infection. If the cause of the bad breath is a rotten tooth, the best bad breath treatment is to extract or do a root canal on that tooth. If the infection is in your lungs or throat, your dentist may refer you to a medical doctor.

If you suffer from persistent or embarrassing halitosis and are seeking bad breath treatment, it’s time to contact your Cosmetic and Family Dentistry today!