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Bad Breath

Overview, Causes, & Risk Factors

Bad breath refers to an unpleasant, unusual, or offensive odor to the breath.

What is going on in the body?

Bad breath can be caused by factors within the mouth, which are referred to as local factors. It may also be caused by systemic factors, which means bodywide diseases or conditions.

What are the causes and risks of the symptom?

Following are some local causes of bad breath:

poor oral hygiene

smoking

tooth abscess

impacted wisdom tooth

certain foods, such as garlic

not eating for a long time

alcohol

mouth or throat infections, such as strep throat

gingivitis, which is an inflammation of the gums

periodontitis, or an inflammation of the structures supporting the tooth

sinus infection

cold or flu

nose infection

overgrown tonsils catching food, which is common in children

Some systemic, or bodywide, causes of bad breath include the following:

drugs and medications

kidney disease

lung abscess, or pus pocket within the lungs

bronchitis

conditions that cause dry mouth, such as Sjogren's syndrome

stomach or bowel problems

constipation

poorly controlled diabetes

liver disease

certain kinds of cancer

infection with the AIDS virus

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