Specialist Dr. Adil Duman stated that bad breath is usually caused by oral and dental health problems or ear, nose and throat infections. Dr. stated that 90 percent of bad breath occurs for these reasons. He said that conditions such as smoke, throat infections, sinusitis and lung diseases can also cause bad breath, and underlined that if such problems are excluded, stomach and digestive system diseases should be evaluated.
STOMACH AND DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISORDERS
Specialist emphasizes that stomach diseases can also cause bad breath. Dr. Duman stated that reflux in particular may cause this condition. Dr. Duman stated that in this disease, which occurs as a result of stomach contents leaking back into the esophagus, stomach acid and food residues can cause a bad odor in the breath. It was stated that diseases such as smoke, bubbles called “diverticula” that form in the esophagus, or achalasia, which causes the lower end of the esophagus to remain contracted, may also be linked to bad breath.
Dr. Duman listed other diseases that may cause bad breath as follows: “Helicobacter pylori infection, intestinal obstruction, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), liver and kidney diseases, gallbladder problems, digestive system infections.”
SMELL TYPES CAN MAKE DIAGNOSIS EASIER
Stating that bad breath can indicate different health problems, Duman stated that a diagnosis can be made according to the type of smell and listed the discomforts that smells can cause: “Rotten egg smell: It is usually associated with gastrointestinal disorders. Sweet or fruity smell: Linked to diabetes. Fungal smell: May indicate infection or bacterial growth. Poop smell: It is associated with problems such as intestinal obstruction. Fishy smell: It may be a sign of kidney disorders.”
TREATMENT AND PRECAUTIONS
Dr. emphasizes that the underlying cause of persistent bad breath must be determined. Duman said that this problem should not be attributed only to oral and dental health. He stated that underlying diseases should be diagnosed through ear, nose, throat and gastroenterological examinations, and that bad breath can be largely eliminated by treating problems such as reflux and Helicobacter pylori infections.
Dr. Duman said that bad breath may not usually be the first sign of a serious disease, but it should not be ignored and warned: “Bad breath can seriously affect social life and the psychological state of the individual. “If this problem continues despite paying attention to oral and dental health, a specialist should be consulted and the necessary examinations should be performed.”
(UAV)