What Your Breath May Say About Your Health
Snoring
Your mouth can get dry if you snore or sleep with it open, and that makes it an even better home to the bacteria that cause “morning breath.” You’re more likely to snore if you sleep on your back, so it can help to sleep on your side. Snoring can also beo a sign of sleep apnea. If you snore regulary discuss it with your doctor to get help avoiding either dental or medical problems apnea can cause. Food in your teeth also can help bacteria grow -- a good brush and floss before bed can cut down on that.
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Gum Disease
If your breath has a metallic smell, you might have bacteria growing under your gum line -- that can lead to inflammation and even infection. Your dentist might call it periodontitis. You’re more likely to have it if you smoke or don’t brush and floss regularly. Gum disease also can run in families.
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Acid Reflux
This condition makes stomach acid flow the wrong way, back into the tube that connects your throat to your stomach (your esophagus). It can give your breath a sour smell and bring up bits of food or liquid into your mouth. The acid also can damage your throat and mouth, and that can make a breeding ground for more smelly bacteria.
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Diabetes
If you have this condition, fruity breath can be a sign that your body is using fat for fuel instead of sugar (glucose). That probably means you're running very low on the hormone insulin, and you should call your doctor.
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H. Pylori
This is a kind of bacteria linked to stomach cancer and ulcers. It can cause stinky breath, and you may have nausea, heartburn, stomachache, or indigestion, too. Your doctor can test you for it -- many of these symptoms go away when the bacteria is killed with antibiotics.
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Respiratory Infections
Colds, coughs, and sinus infections can send mucus filled with bacteria through your nose and mouth. That can affect your breath. It usually goes away once you get over your cold.
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Medication
Some medicines cause bad breath because they dry out your mouth. Other drugs -- like nitrates that treat heart conditions, chemotherapy for cancer, and some sleep aids -- release chemicals that can make your breath smell when they break down in your body. This also can happen if you take too many vitamins.
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Tonsil Stones
If food gets caught in your tonsils -- small organs in the back of your throat that help fight germs – calcium can collect around it and form tonsil stones. They don’t usually cause any trouble. But sometimes they can irritate your throat, and bacteria may grow on them -- that’s what makes your breath smell. You might be able to get rid of them with a toothbrush or cotton swab. It helps to brush well -- including your tongue -- and gargle with water after you eat. Talk to your doctor if you get them often.
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Dehydration
When your body doesn’t have enough water (a condition called dehydration), you may not make enough saliva, which normally cleans bacteria out of your mouth. That can lead to not-so-fresh breath. Conditions that affect the glands that make saliva -- like Sjögren's syndrome and scleroderma -- also can cause dry mouth and bad breath.
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Infection
An injury or cut inside your mouth can get infected with bacteria that has an odor. This may happen by accident or if you have gum surgery or your dentist pulls a tooth. You’re more likely to have an infection if you don’t follow your dentist’s instructions or take good care of your teeth or gums. It may go away on its own. If not, it can be treated with antibiotics. It can help to keep the area as clean as possible and rinse a couple of times a day with salt water.
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Liver Failure
This can cause a sweet, moldy smell your doctor might call “fetor hepaticus.” It can be a sign that your liver isn’t working well because of advanced liver disease. You also might have other symptoms, including jaundice -- when your skin and the whites of your eyes have a yellow tint because there's a buildup of a naturally occuring pigment called bilirubin in your system.
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Kidney Failure
You may have “fishy” breath if your kidneys can’t get rid of waste like they should. It’s most common in the last stages of kidney failure, known as end-stage renal disease (ESRD). When it gets to this point, it’s usually treated with a machine that helps filter your blood (called dialysis) or a kidney transplant.
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Sources Medically Reviewed on 07/11/2019 Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on July 11, 2019
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American College of Cardiology: “Bad or Changed Breath.”
Canadian Society of Intestinal Research: “H. pylori and Halitosis.” Cleveland Clinic: “Are Troublesome Tonsil Stones Causing Your Bad Breath?”
Mayo Clinic: “Is acid reflux the same as GERD?” “Diabetic ketoacidosis,” “Tuesday Q and A: Self-care steps may help prevent tonsil stones from returning,” “Bad breath: Symptoms and causes.”
Medical News Today: “Bad Breath (Halitosis): Causes, Diagnosis and Treatment.”
National Institutes of Health: “Lactose Intolerance,” “Oral and salivary changes among renal patients undergoing hemodialysis: A cross-sectional study,” “Beyond the stomach: An updated view of Helicobacter pylori pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment,” “Oral malodour (halitosis),” “Salt water mouthwash post extraction reduced post operative complications,” “GC-MS analysis of breath odor compounds in liver patients,” “Oral manifestations of HIV.”
National Sleep Foundation: “Take a breath of fresh air—without sending your bedmate running—with these top tips.”
Reviewed by Michael Friedman, DDS on July 11, 2019
This tool does not provide medical advice. See additional information.
THIS TOOL DOES NOT PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on the WebMD Site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.
