Halitosis: 10 To Know About Causes and Management 

By Rajeshwaari Kalla | July 30, 2025 | Images: Canva

Poor oral hygiene

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While abandoned oral hygiene can often cause bad breath, halitosis may be seen due to numerous other conditions as well

Consumption of pungent foods

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Ordinarily, if you have consumed a food item that contains garlic or onions, you may have bad breath for a while, but it won’t be chronically present

Oral carcinoma

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Symptoms of oral carcinoma, like sores in the mouth that do not heal, pain in the mouth, and difficulty in swallowing, can be accompanied by halitosis

Gastro-oesophageal reflux disease

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Oesophageal conditions like gastro-oesophageal reflux disease can cause stomach acid to leak into the oesophagus, which may lead to bad breath 

Tonsillitis

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Affectations of the tonsils, like tonsillitis, can also lead to a pervasive bad breath, along with enlarged tonsils

Gingivitis

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An inflammation of the gums, called gingivitis, can cause redness, swelling and bleeding of the gums as well as  bad breath

Sjögren’s syndrome

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Dry mouth due to autoimmune conditions like Sjögren’s syndrome can also be an underlying cause for halitosis

Intestinal obstruction

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In case of intestinal obstruction, a foul breath may be noticed due to constant vomiting and stagnation

Oral care practices

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It is important to find the cause and treat it to deal with bad breath. Brushing and flossing regularly can prevent oral issues that lead to halitosis

Hydration and hygiene aids

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One may be advised to use alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash and use a tongue scraper if necessary.  Drink healthy amount of water

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