Dental Symptoms and Conditions that often accompany Halitosis
You may not always be aware of the fact that you have bad breath or halitosis. You may only realize that you have the problem when people turn their heads away when you are too close. This can be an embarrassing situation and it can affect your social life. There are certain dental symptoms and conditions that often accompany halitosis. You can check for these so that you can detect your condition timely, get professional advice, and avoid the awkward reaction of people around you. If you notice any of the following symptoms or conditions, it’s time you paid a visit to your dentist.
Unpleasant Breath
It is the chief symptom that you notice yourself or are informed by people close to you. It indicates that you need to see your dentist for a thorough dental examination and to confirm a diagnosis.
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor oral hygiene is the usual underlying cause in people suffering from bad breath. A yellowish-white film of plaque covering teeth and impacted food debris is common in patients who do not maintain an adequate level of oral hygiene.
Swollen Gums
Red, painful, and swollen gums that bleed easily, especially after brushing and flossing, is another commonly associated symptom.
Dry Mouth
Saliva has an important role of washing away food particles and bacteria, thus preventing halitosis. A dry mouth allows bacteria to grow and increase the breakdown of organic matter and proteins. Dry mouth can result due to dehydration, some medicines, diseases, or radiation therapy to the head and neck region.
Changes affecting the Tongue
Bacteria responsible for bad breath tend to accumulate mostly on the posterior dorsal surface of the tongue. Tongue changes associated with halitosis are
- A white coating on the tongue
- A burning sensation on the tongue
Changes affecting the Teeth
Teeth changes associated with halitosis are
- A film of plaque, calculus (tartar) covering teeth surfaces
- Stained teeth
- Mobile teeth
- Deep carious lesions (cavities) causing food impaction and stagnation
Changes in Taste
A constant bad or sour metallic taste is a common complaint in bad breath sufferers.
Denture Changes
Dentures tend to become loose and changes in the fit of a denture are common in patients affected by bad breath.
Sores
Painful sores on the gums, cheeks, and tongue are common in bad breath sufferers.
Respiratory Tract Infections
Respiratory tract infections are common in patients having a bad breath. Common symptoms of respiratory tract infections seen with halitosis are
- Stuffy nose
- Postnasal drip
- Nasal discharge
- Sore throat
- Cough
- Fever
- Swollen neck lymph nodes
Abscess
Drainage of pus from between adjacent teeth or accumulation of pus between the teeth and gums can be associated with halitosis.
Systemic illnesses
Symptoms of diabetes, liver or kidney disease, respiratory tract infections, and gastrointestinal conditions are seen when the cause of halitosis is an underlying systemic disease.