The doctor called the causes of bad breath and explained when it is time to see a doctor

Why does your mouth smell bad even if you brush your teeth three times a day? Russian orthopedic traumatologist, osteopath, plastic surgeon Ales Ulishchenko called several causes of an unpleasant smell and told how to determine its source.

According to him, in 80-90% of cases, the source of the smell is in the mouth. There live bacteria that do not need oxygen: they feed on the remains of protein and secrete sulfurous gases. The main place of their concentration is the root of the tongue closer to the throat. A brush usually does not reach this area, so a special scraper helps. Brush your tongue every morning, but the effect lasts only for the day. The second reason is teeth and gums: caries, old fillings, inflammation of the gums. Here, cleaning, flossing and regular visits to the dentist are important.

Another factor is dry mouth. Saliva washes out bacteria and neutralizes the acid, and if it is small, the smell increases. Dryness provokes mouth breathing in a dream, coffee, alcohol and smoking. The doctor advises to drink more water, monitor nasal breathing and, if the mouth is dry in the morning, try a special patch for sealing the mouth.

To understand where the smell comes from, you can use home tests. The first: hold a clean napkin or gauze on the root of the tongue, let it dry and smell. If the smell is clear, the source is in the mouth. The second test helps to distinguish the mouth from the nose: you need to exhale with your mouth in one glass, close and smell, then do the same with the nose. If an unpleasant smell from the nose, you should consult a ENT doctor - this may be due to sinusitis or infection. If the smell is in both glasses, the problem may lie deeper.

One of these underlying causes is the throwing of acid from the stomach, or reflux. At night, when a person lies down, acid rises up the esophagus, throat and mouth, and the smell becomes sour or bitter. This is usually accompanied by heartburn, belching and heaviness after eating. The doctor explains this to the uncoordinated work of the diaphragm and esophagus, as well as vagus nerve dysfunction, which is often associated with chronic stress. According to him, the tone of the diaphragm and esophagus can be affected by special techniques, including breathing exercises with mild tension in the area under the diaphragm.

But some of the smells are a signal of illness, and then you need a doctor. The smell of acetone or overripe rotting apples may indicate ketones; in a person with diabetes, it is a sign of ketoacidosis requiring an ambulance. A sweet, musty, heavy smell, similar to raw liver, happens with serious liver problems. The smell of ammonia or urine indicates that the kidneys do not cope well with the elimination of toxins. A rotten smell unrelated to the teeth and nose can come from the lungs, especially if there is cough and sputum. Such symptoms can not be drowned out with gum - you need to be examined.

Bad breath is not just a sign of poor hygiene, but sometimes an early signal of more serious problems. Therefore, it is important not only to take care of the oral cavity, but also to pay attention to red flags in time.