Breath and body odor are common complaints, particularly among teens and young adults. While some cases of bad breath or body odor are due to poor hygiene, many other conditions and problems may cause these symptoms. Talk to your dentist or doctor if you are not able to minimize or eliminate the odor through self-care and practicing proper hygiene.
Causes
Dental conditions are often the underlying cause of persistent bad breath. An abscessed tooth, cavities, gum disease or a dental infection are common causes of breath odor, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Other common causes include alcoholism, smoking, large doses of vitamin supplements and consuming certain medications, foods and beverages. While rare, some diseases can lead to breath odor as well, including renal failure, diabetes and esophageal cancer.
Body odor is typically a result of excess perspiration. Sweat itself is nearly odorless, but it can create an unpleasant odor when it comes into contact with bacteria and dirt on your skin, explains the Mayo Clinic. Physical activity, high temperatures and stress are the most common causes of excess perspiration.
Home Treatment
Mouthwashes, breath mints and gum can help mask breath odor and keep your mouth smelling fresh when you can’t brush your teeth. Chewing on fresh parsley or mint can also help temporarily eliminate odors, suggests the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Wearing a combination antiperspirant and deodorant can help to block excess perspiration from reaching your skin and mask unpleasant odors. Deodorants are commonly used in the armpits, but you can use them on your hands, feet and other sweaty areas as well, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Medical Treatment
Medical or dental treatment is often necessary if your breath odor is due to an underlying condition. Filling cavities and extracting abscessed teeth can help to eliminate odors that stem from these problems. If your dentist diagnoses you with gum disease, he will clean your teeth thoroughly to remove plaque and bacteria. In addition, he may suggest you use an antibacterial mouth rinse to prevent further problems.
Medical treatment is usually unnecessary for body odor, though you should talk to your doctor if over-the-counter antiperspirants do not control your perspiration adequately. Prescription aluminum chloride is a powerful antiperspirant that can control perspiration if you have overactive sweat glands. Typically, your doctor will recommend applying the medication at night and washing it off in the morning to prevent irritation and swelling, explains the Mayo Clinic.
Considerations
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you develop breath or body odor after taking a new medication or if the odor is severe and does not fade with home treatment. If you notice breath odor in conjunction with other abnormal symptoms, it may be a sign of an underlying medical condition that requires evaluation and treatment.
Prevention
Brushing your teeth after eating and drinking and flossing at least once daily can help prevent breath odor. At the minimum, you should brush your teeth at least twice a day if you cannot brush after every meal. Proper oral hygiene can prevent cavities, gingivitis and other dental conditions that can lead to unpleasant breath odor. Avoiding alcohol, tobacco and certain foods, such as garlic, onions and cabbage can also help keep your breath smelling fresh, explains the University of Maryland Medical Center.
Bathing daily with a mild soap and warm water can help to prevent body odor by removing odor-causing bacteria from your skin. Wear clean clothes to prevent rubbing old bacteria against your skin and choose natural fabrics, such as cotton, that absorb sweat if you have problems with perspiration and body odor. Using an over-the-counter deodorant and antiperspirant daily can help to block excess sweat from reaching your skin.
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