Why does breath smell

The truth is that most people only brush their teeth for 30 to 45 seconds, which just doesn't cut it.

To sufficiently clean all the surfaces of your teeth, you should brush for at least 2 minutes at least twice a day. Remember to brush your tongue, too — bacteria love to hang out there. It's equally important to floss because brushing alone won't remove harmful plaque and food particles that become stuck between your teeth and gums. When you breathe, you don't use your throat the same way you do when you talk. When you talk, you tend to bring out the odors from the back of your mouth where bad breath originates , which simply breathing doesn't do.

Also, because we tend to get used to our own smells, it's hard for a person to tell if he or she has bad breath. If you're concerned about bad breath, make sure you're taking care of your teeth and mouth properly.

Some sugar-free gums and mints can temporarily mask odors, too. If you brush and floss properly and visit your dentist for regular cleanings, but your bad breath persists, you may have a medical problem like sinusitis or gum disease. Accessed Jan. Dry mouth. National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Should I floss? Diagnosing and treating bad breath. Dental Abstracts. Tongue scrapers only slightly reduce bad breath.

Bollen CML, et al. Halitosis: The multidisciplinary approach. International Journal of Oral Science. Salinas TJ expert opinion. Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Related Bad breath: Could a tongue scraper help? Mayo Clinic Press Check out these best-sellers and special offers on books and newsletters from Mayo Clinic.

The buildup of ketones can cause changes to the smell of your breath. An abscess or infection in your mouth, throat, or lungs may cause your breath to smell like rotting tissue. For example, bronchiectasis , a condition that causes your bronchial tubes air passages to thicken and widen, can lead to repeated respiratory infections and excess mucus with a strong fetid odor.

The odors from old food and bacterial growth may smell like decay. Another cause could be untreated periodontal disease gum disease. Granulomatosis can also cause rotten or decayed-smelling breath. This condition is a rare inflammatory disorder that causes problems with your blood vessels, kidneys, and nose.

Carbohydrates provide quick-burning fuel for your body. As a result, your body burns stored fat instead of carbs, and this can produce a chemical called acetone in the process. Acetone is the same chemical found in many nail polish removers. Diabetes can also cause the release of acetone. As a result, the contents of your stomach can back up into your esophagus, throat, or mouth.

If something is blocking the flow of waste through your intestines, your breath may begin smelling like feces. Breath that smells of ammonia or urine is known as azotemia. This condition is typically caused by damage to your kidneys, either through injury or disease. People with liver disease, including cirrhosis, have breath with a characteristically musty smell.

Dimethylsulfide is believed to be chiefly responsible for the musty smell. Being able to break down proteins is vital to the healthy functioning of your body. Isovaleric acidemia, a genetic condition that affects infants, causes a buildup of leucine in the blood, leading to an odor some say smells like sweaty feet.

This can cause your breath, sweat, and other bodily fluids to exude a fishy smell. It causes your breath and urine to take on the smell of boiled cabbage.

Your mouth is warm and wet — ideal conditions for breeding bacteria. Over different strains of bacteria can be found in your mouth, mostly on the top surface of your tongue and in the crevices between your teeth. These bacteria cause the release of volatile sulfuric compounds VSCs , gasses that make your breath foul. A studies showed that approximately 80 percent of people who smoke have halitosis.