If you currently have one or more tonsil stones, removing them can help get rid of your halitosis. You can remove your own tonsil stones at home or visit your dentist and have them professionally removed.
What are tonsil stones? Tonsil stones, or 'tonsilloliths', are small lumps of hardened material that can form in your tonsils. They can cause bad breath and most commonly occur in teenagers.
Gargling vigorously with half a teaspoon of salt dissolved in a cup of warm water can help loosen and remove tonsil stones as well as eliminate the unpleasant odor that causes bad breath.
Tonsil stones may last anywhere from several days to several years. Most tonsil stones clear up in 1-3 weeks on their own. Large stones may remain on the tonsils for many years if not removed by a doctor.
Because tonsils stones are composed primarily of bacteria, this is known to produce a foul-smelling sulfide. You will notice this both when the stone is in your tonsil and when it is dislodged and visible outside your body.
Even if some people do take diligent care of their teeth and mouth, they will get stones because of the anatomy (the specific size and shape) of their tonsils. If the tonsils have a lot of crypts and crevices, they're more likely to have debris trapped in them and form tonsil stones than tonsils that are smooth.
Gargle With Warm Salt Water
After finding out your mouth stinks, one of the quickest ways to get rid of bad breath is gargling with warm salt water. Mix ½ (half) teaspoon of salt to every 8 ounces of warm water and gargle for 30 to 40 seconds. Spit the warm salt water out and repeat the process 2-3 times.
The rotten egg smell comes from the breakdown of microbes that live in your digestive system. It may be as simple as addressing acid reflux with an over the counter antacid or with a stronger medication if it is more persistent.
Moldy or Fungus Smell
Sometimes microbial buildups, growths, or infections in the sinuses contribute to breath that smells like mold or fungus. Sinus infections often causes thick, yellowish-green mucus to drip from the nose or sinuses to the back of the throat.
Bad breath can occasionally stem from small stones that form in the tonsils and are covered with bacteria that produce odor. Infections or chronic inflammation in the nose, sinuses or throat, which can contribute to postnasal drip, also can cause bad breath.
Mouth infections can cause bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and you brush and floss every day, your bad breath could be the result of another problem, such as a sinus condition, gastric reflux, diabetes, liver or kidney disease. In this case, see your healthcare provider.
If you think you might have bad breath, there is a simple test that you can do. Just lick the inside of your wrist and sniff - if the smell is bad, you can be fairly sure that your breath is too.
People who have long-term tonsillitis are more likely to get tonsil stones. The only way to prevent them is to remove your tonsils. Good dental habits can help prevent tonsil stones. Brush and floss your teeth regularly to remove bacteria and keep things from getting stuck in your tonsils.
You can take steps to prevent tonsil stones: Brush and floss regularly. Make sure to brush the front and back of your tongue, too. Quit smoking.
Some people are more susceptible to getting recurring tonsil stones than others, and they most commonly affect those who have chronic inflammation in their tonsils. Learn more about why you may be experiencing tonsil stones and what you can do to prevent them from becoming a reoccurring issue.
Halitosis (bad breath) is mostly caused by sulphur-producing bacteria that normally live on the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Sometimes, these bacteria start to break down proteins at a very high rate and odorous volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) are released from the back of the tongue and throat.
A: While there is no cure for chronic halitosis, following proper oral hygiene habits and using an effective treatment regimen can help to control the condition and keep bad breath at bay.
Use the wrist test
So, lick the wrist or the back of the hand and wait 10 seconds. Then sniff the dried skin to check for a bad smell. If a person has bad breath, some of that smell will be deposited onto the skin. The same test can also be done by licking the back of a spoon.
Gingivitis can cause your breath to smell like sulfur or rotten eggs. This is because of the bacteria in your mouth releasing chemicals that smells like these things. If you have gingivitis, you may also notice that your gingiva, or gums, are red and swollen. You may also bleed when you brush or floss your teeth.
Everyone gets bad breath from time to time — especially after eating garlic, onions or other strong foods. But bad breath that doesn't go away (chronic halitosis) could mean you have an oral health issue or a condition that's affecting another part of your body.
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, can cause a person's breath to smell like feces because the stomach acid backs up into the esophagus. This acidic wash irritates the esophagus, which can cause extreme discomfort as well as foul breath.
Typically, the smell is sulfuric, like rotten eggs. Bad taste in mouth: You may experience a metallic taste in the back of the throat due to tonsil stones. Difficulty or pain when swallowing: When tonsil stones form, they can be accompanied by inflammation.