Bad breath isn’t always about hygiene. Persistent or unusual breath smells can be early signs of hidden health conditions you shouldn’t ignore.
Uncontrolled Diabetes: When blood sugar remains poorly controlled, the body produces excess ketones, which can give the breath a fruity or acetone-like smell.Lung Infection: Lung or airway infections can cause foul-smelling breath or sputum, especially when accompanied by cough or fever.Lactose Intolerance: Difficulty digesting lactose can lead to gas and bloating, which may also cause an unpleasant or sour breath smell.Liver Disease: Liver problems can produce a musty or slightly sweet breath odour, often linked to the body’s reduced ability to filter toxins.Kidney Failure: Kidney dysfunction can cause waste products to build up in the blood, leading to an ammonia-like or urine-like breath smell.Heart Failure: In some cases, heart failure can change breath odour due to fluid buildup in the body, making the breath smell noticeably different.Gum Disease: Chronic bad breath is a common sign of gum disease, caused by bacterial buildup and inflammation in the mouth.Tuberculosis: Tuberculosis can cause persistent respiratory symptoms, including ongoing unpleasant breath, along with chronic cough and weight loss.Dr Jaiswal advises seeking medical help if bad breath persists despite good oral care, or if it is accompanied by symptoms such as gum bleeding, loose teeth, heartburn, fatigue, or unexplained weight loss. “A sudden change in breath odour—such as a fruity or ammonia-like smell—may signal an urgent underlying illness and should not be ignored. Medical attention is also recommended if bad breath begins to affect daily life, confidence, or personal relationships,” She adds.
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Bad breath isn’t always caused by food or poor oral hygiene. Sometimes, it can be an early sign of an underlying health problem. Dr Rajni Jaiswal, Senior Consultant in Homoeopathy and Health Coach for acute and chronic conditions at Holistic Homeo eClinic, explains that while most cases of bad breath originate in the mouth, persistent or unusual odours can offer important clues to systemic health.
