4 Signs Your Bad Breath Might Be A Symptom Of Something Serious

Dentiat holidng model teethA touch of halitosis is to be expected sometimes – it can be normal when we first wake up, after eating certain foods, and while taking some medications.But bad breath can also be a sign of dry mouth, tonsillitis, acid reflux, and dental issues, the NHS says.In fact, speaking to HuffPost UK, Dr Ali, a dentist at Emerdency, advised that the seemingly harmless issue can sometimes signal issues worth seeing your doctor or dentist about.These are:1) Gum disease This, the dentist told us, is one of the most common causes of bad breath. The stench happens, he explained, because “The bacteria linked with sulphur gases are also associated with inflammation and damage in periodontal tissues”.Gum problems can cause bone and tooth loss down the line, so it’s important to spot it early.“Because early gum disease can progress with few obvious symptoms, persistent bad breath may be an early warning sign,” Dr Ali advised. If you suspect gum issues, visit your dentist.2) Xerostomia, or dry mouth Though a dry mouth is usually not a sign of anything serious, it can occasionally be caused by conditions like diabetes or Sjögren’s syndrome, which can also affect your eyes, muscles, and joints. It may be a side effect of medications like antidepressants, blood pressure medications, and antihistamines, too.As the levels of protective saliva lower, Dr Ali warned, “bacteria thrive, sulphur compounds build up, and odour can persist even after brushing”. Whether persistent dry mouth is caused by medication or another issue, it could be worth seeing your doctor about if it affects your day-to-day life and comes with other symptoms like dry eyes or white patches in your mouth.3) Acid reflux Those who suffer from indigestion at night might notice a sore throat and bad breath in the morning thanks to the backflow of stomach acid into their oesophagus. “Ongoing acid exposure can irritate delicate tissues,” Dr Ali told us, “so it is important to discuss any changes in breath that might be linked to reflux with your dentist or doctor.” 4) Systemic illnesses Sometimes, strong-smelling breath can reveal untreated, less obvious issues.“Poorly controlled diabetes can raise ketone levels, giving the breath an acetone or fruity smell. Kidney disease can allow urea to accumulate, which breaks down to form ammonia and a strong odour,” Dr Ali said. “Advanced liver disease can increase sulphur compounds in the blood, producing a sweet, musty smell known as foetor hepaticus. These breath changes can appear early in the course of diabetes, sometimes before other symptoms.” Speak to a doctor if you notice these changes. When else should I speak to a doctor or dentist about bad breath?These aren’t the only times you should seek professional help about your morning breath, the dental expert shared. If it lasts for a long time and doesn’t go away through good oral hygiene, book a visit to a doctor or dentist.The NHS said you should see a dentist if you have wobbly teeth, swollen or painful gums, a toothache, bleeding gums, issues with your dentures, or bad breath that sticks around for weeks despite treatment. Related...Semaglutide Users Are Reporting 'Ozempic Teeth' – But It May Not Be What They Think12 Things Dental Hygienists Would Never, Ever Do To Their TeethI Just Learned What Actually Happens When Kids' Teeth Fall Out – And Wow

Comments

Breaking news

The Skincare Switch You Need This Autumn

London Journal

Comments

Similar News

Iconic comedy duo Robert Webb and David Mitchell officially reunite for launch of new Channel 4 sketch show - a decade after Peep Show ended

It's 4,000 miles from Ukraine - but even this Asian city is part of Russia's war

4 former Milwaukee hotel workers get probation and time served in dogpile death

2 more people charged with helping man accused of killing 4 as he evaded authorities, officials say

5 Big New Features in Borderlands 4

Gogglebox legends the Siddiquis thrill fans with pics of rarely-seen mother and children as they confirm return to Channel 4 show this week

Melvyn Bragg steps down from Radio 4's In Our Time

Airport chaos as woman grabs crying boy, 4, from his mother and refuses to let go

The 4 rules for cash: How to manage your money the smart way

Lauryn Goodman displays her figure on Marbella holiday with her two children Kairo, 4, and Kinara, 2, after their father Kyle Walker played latest Burnley match

Queen Elizabeth 'really liked' one Channel 4 show but 'couldn't stand' pundit

The Great British Bake Off fans go wild as Noel Fielding shares selfie with Paul Hollywood plugging latest Channel 4 series - his first TV appearance since axed Dick Turpin series and health issues

Brave 4-year-old girl reports dad to police after he stabs mum to death in front of her

Flight horror as plane DROPS 4,400ft in seconds sending passengers to hospital

Liz Hurley's The Inheritance flops with dire ratings in blow to Channel 4 - marking one of the broadcaster's worst reality show launches EVER

Sir Chris Hoy inspires Lanarkshire fundraising namesake ahead of his Tour De 4 cycling event

Woman Goes for Run at 4:30 A.M., Horror at What She Hears Behind Her

How to draw every president and first lady in 4 steps

'Alcoholic' who spent £4,000 in one year on 'hangover takeaways' reveals the simple change she made to lose nine stone without Ozempic

Christmas starts on September 4 as channel will air nothing but festive films

Breaking news

The Skincare Switch You Need This Autumn

Trump to host top tech CEOs — except Musk — at White House dinner Thursday

Senator’s visit to spy agency canceled after MAGA firebrand Laura Loomer intervenes

Ukraine-Russia war latest: Trump issues threat to Putin if US unhappy with his decision on peace

Lisbon funicular crash latest: At least 15 dead after iconic Gloria cable car derails in tourist hotspot

Sen. Mitch McConnell warns: ‘This is the most dangerous period since before World War Two’

Whistleblower vows to lift the lid on asbestos scandal at one of Scotland’s biggest housebuilders

Angela Rayner stamp duty error was unacceptable - but she should not be sacked

Holyrood staff 'checking toilet walls for spycams' after hidden device claims

More than 230 people arrested in crackdown on shoplifting gangs

Watchdog slams £1m golden goodbye payments for former council officials

Irvine Welsh "studies strangers on trains" to create characters

Daughter's plea to cops over sex beast who murdered mum 40 years ago

Tax the rich to thwart Reform, TUC chief urges Labour

UK handed stark warning over disease ravaging its farms

'We stay awake waiting for them, they terrify the children'

How fake documents helped family get to Britain - and raised serious questions about its immigration system

Lisbon Gloria Funicular: Battle to save children screaming for help after tram crash

Brave girl, 11, fought off man who sexually assaulted her while on dog walk

Liam and Noel Gallagher 'locked in escalating bitter feud' with fashion retailer Oasis over their plans to trademark the band's logo

Hawaii volcano eruption shoots lava 500 feet high triggering warnings of harmful gas and 'Pele's hair'

Brian Austin Green's partner is LIVID with hater who says their son 'looks like a girl' when posing with his siblings

Cover-up right under the president's nose: Trump enforcer's shocking secret past exposed in explosive leaked memo... sparking national security fears

Scientists discover common food poisoning bug increases risk of colon cancer... with 100,000 exposed every year

Angela Rayner's position is indefensible, hopeless and shameful. If Starmer fails to sack her, it will be an ineradicable stain on his government: STEPHEN GLOVER

I have lost 21kg on Mounjaro, dropping from a size 18 to a size 10 in just six months... but now I fear coming off it will trigger the debilitating condition that's haunted my life

Tom Ellis finally breaks his silence on affairs that ended his marriage to Tamzin Outhwaite... and says he has 'no regrets' despite her brutal barbs: RICHARD EDEN'S DIARY

How billionaires, celebrities and even Arab sheikhs are making vast profits from the human misery of Britain's chaotic children's homes: Special report by IAN BIRRELL

Michael Jackson's daughter Paris distances herself from late star's upcoming $155M biopic over 'inaccuracies'

Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz 'hold hands' while out in New York amid claims they're 'friends with benefits'

Miracle recovery for boy, 8, who was mauled by shark... as it's revealed his brave 10-year-old sister rescued him

Revealed: 'Furry' girlfriend blamed by trans shooter for Minneapolis school slaughter… as twisted trove of new videos emerge

Michelle Dockery covers up her baby bump as she heads to Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale premiere afterparty with glamorous co-stars after revealing her pregnancy on red carpet

Lady Gaga forced to cancel concert just MINUTES before showtime due to medical issue as she begs fans to forgive her

'A soul for sale': Morrissey says he is putting his cut in the Smiths on the market as he has 'had enough of malicious associations'

US Open tennis star, 18, left creeped out by man trying to get her attention in latest bizarre fan behavior

How to save your England career after a nightmare debut: Those who suffered on the biggest stage reveal their hellish experiences of a start like Sonny Baker's - and the inside track on how to fight back to the top

I lent my bridesmaid a third of my wedding fund to help her pay off her debts. The appalling thing she did next nearly ruined my big day and still shocks me to my core

I called my children awful, boring and stupid. Now as adults they've told me how my 'jokes' impacted them. I feel so ashamed, says SUSANNAH JOWITT

What a difference two months makes! From Rayner smiling as Reeves wept in the Commons to yesterday as the tables were turned amid Starmer's ministerial mayhem

Trump appeals to US Supreme Court to rule on legality of tariffs

Trump Asks Supreme Court to Allow His Sweeping Tariffs

Meet Hania Bonnet: The AI Influencer Earning Thousands Each Month

A notorious Louisiana prison was chosen for immigrant detainees to urge self-deportation, Noem says

The truth is out there: Congress to hold hearings on UFOs

PornHub operators to pay $5M fine after failing to stop child sex abuse videos being published on websites

DC National Guard troops have orders extended through December, official says

The top photos of the day by AP's photojournalists

Cat in San Francisco euthanized after latest bird flu infection tied to raw pet food

Bill to let Texans sue out-of-state abortion pill providers heads to governor

Trump flounders as he calls Epstein furor a ‘hoax’ while sex-abuse survivors bring Capitol to tears

The startling spectacle that showed growing MAGA discontent with Trump

Things are tipping in the autocrats' favour - and it's bad news for the rest of us

'Miss Palestine' tells Sky News why she's competing in global beauty pageant

Nuneaton businessman skewers vile women who racially abused him on Sky News

Tourist thought double vision was linked to aeroplane pressure - truth was more sinister

How 'cultlike' Lush preaches to its customers about Gaza and trans people - spearheaded by its eco-warrior founders