Bad Breath
Halitosis, also known as bad breath, manifests poor oral hygiene. The common cause of bad breath is bacteria buildup or plaque in the mouth. This buildup is made up of food debris mixed with bacteria. When a person doesn’t brush regularly, floss daily, and gargle with mouthwash, it leads to plaque buildup and bad breath. Aside from poor oral hygiene, some conditions and diseases may cause bad breath, like infection in the mouth, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and hiatal hernia.
People with hiatal hernia may suffer from halitosis no matter how they practice oral hygiene. This is because of the frequent regurgitation or backwash of food and drinks. Patients also experience frequent heartburn and reflux, affecting the acid buildup in the digestive tract. In addition, a hiatal hernia can cause other stomach contents, like undigested food and bile, to attach to the esophageal wall.
All of these affect the natural pH of the oral cavity. The acidity of the stomach contents leaves behind a foul and sour odor, leading to bad breath or halitosis.
