Breath odor
Alternative names
Bad breath; Halitosis
Definition
Breath odor is unpleasant, distinctive, or offensive.
Considerations
Some disorders will produce specific, characteristic odors to the breath.
A fruity odor to the breath occurs as the body attempts to get rid of excess acetone through the breathing. This is a characteristic sign of ketoacidosis (such as diabetic ketoacidosis), a potentially life-threatening condition.
A fecal odor to the breath (the breath smells like feces) can occur with prolonged vomiting, especially when there is a bowel obstruction. It can also occur temporarily if the person has a nasogastric tube in place (a tube placed through the nose or mouth to the stomach to drain the stomach contents).
The breath may have an ammonia-like odor (also described as urine-like or "fishy") in people with chronic kidney failure.
Common Causes
If previously normal breath turns into halitosis, causes could include:
- Food or beverages consumed (such as cabbage, garlic, raw onions, or coffee)
- Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses)
- Poor dental hygiene
- Dentures
- Cavities
- Tobacco smoking
- Alcoholism
- Throat infection
- Sinusitis
- Lung infection
- Gum disease (gingivitis, gingivostomatitis)
- Abscessed tooth
- Impacted tooth
- Foreign body in the nose (in children)
- Often (but not always) there is a white, yellowish, or bloody discharge from one nostril
- Drugs
- Paraldehyde
- Triamterene and inhaled anesthetics
- Insulin - injection
Diseases that may be associated with breath odor (not presented in order of likelihood -- some are extremely unlikely):
 Acute necrotizing ulcerative gingivitis
Acute necrotizing ulcerative mucositis
Acute renal failure
Bowel obstruction (can cause breath to smell like feces)
Bronchiectasis
Chronic renal failure (can cause breath to smell like ammonia)
Diabetes (fruity or "sweet chemical" smell with ketoacidosis)
Esophageal cancer
Gastric carcinoma
Gastrojejunocolic fistula (fruity-smelling breath)
Hepatic encephalopathy
Diabetic ketoacidosis
Lung abscess
Ozena, or atrophic rhinitis
Periodontal disease
Pharyngitis
Zenker's diverticulum
Home Care
Use proper dental hygiene (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem.
Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.
Call your health care provider if
Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods).
You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as documented fever, cough, or facial pain with nasal discharge.
What to expect at your health care provider's office
The medical history will be obtained, and a physical examination performed.
Medical history questions documenting breath odor in detail may include:
- Quality
- Is there a specific odor?
- Is there a fishy smell?
- Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine?
- Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell?
- Does the breath smell like feces?
- Does the breath smell like alcohol?
- Aggravating factors
- Has the person recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food?
- Does the person take vitamin supplements?
- Does the person smoke?
- Relieving factors
- Does good oral hygiene improve the odor?
- What home care measures have been tried? How effective are they?
- Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness?
- What other symptoms are also present?
The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culture may be taken if the patient has a sore throat or mouth sores.
In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include:
- Endoscopy (EGD)
- X-ray of the abdomen
- X-ray of the chest
- Blood tests to screen for diabetes or renal failure
Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, the doctor will use an instrument to remove it.
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