What Are the Causes of Bad Breath and Tongue Odor?

The causes of halitosis and tongue odor are relatively complex, which may be related to oral problems, poor daily hygiene, nasopharyngeal diseases, and other factors. Before addressing halitosis and tongue odor, it is necessary to first clarify the underlying causes in order to provide better treatment based on the specific reasons. Of course, one must always pay attention to oral hygiene, seek medical attention promptly if there are any problems, and never take medication randomly.

1. Oral problems: Tongue odor may be caused by oral issues or tongue-related issues. The presence of a large number of decayed teeth, residual crowns, residual roots, poorly repaired dental prostheses, gingivitis, periodontitis, and failure to seek timely treatment can lead to tongue odor.

2. Poor oral hygiene: Poor oral hygiene can result in thicker tongue coating or the accumulation of food debris on the surface of the tongue, forming a hairy tongue and causing a foul odor in the mouth. Long-term failure to brush teeth can lead to a buildup of bad breath and severe halitosis due to the accumulation of food debris on the surface of the teeth.

3. Nasopharyngeal diseases: The nasopharyngeal region is adjacent to the oral cavity, and some nasopharyngeal diseases can manifest as a foul odor in the mouth, such as atrophic rhinitis, sinusitis, and suppurative tonsillitis.

4. Systemic diseases: The oral cavity is the starting point of the digestive tract and is connected to the respiratory tract. Therefore, some diseases of the digestive and respiratory systems can also cause halitosis, such as digestive disorders, gastroenteritis, and diarrhea.