Why does the tongue have a bad smell even though it is very clean?

Bad breath is often the result of food fermentation caused by anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in the mouth that produce volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan. These bacteria may be present in periodontal disease and especially when ulceration or necrosis is present. These bacteria that cause disease are located deep in the periodontal pocket around the teeth. In patients with healthy periodontal tissue, these bacteria can multiply on the back of the tongue. Factors that make the bacteria causing the disease to overgrow such as:
Decreased saliva flow as in parotid gland disease, use of anticholinergic drugs, sjogren's syndrome,... Salivary gland obstruction Increased degree of Saliva pH In addition, some foods or spices, after being digested, release the odor of that substance to the lungs, bad breath odor that can be unpleasant for others. For example, the smell of garlic is noted on the breath by others 2 to 3 hours after ingestion and long after it is no longer in the mouth. In addition, some systemic diseases cause volatile substances to be detected in the breath, although not particularly foul odors, pungent substances are also considered bad breath conditions. Diabetic ketoacidosis produces a sweet or fruity odor of acetone, liver failure produces a foul or sometimes sulfurous odor, and kidney failure produces an odor of urine or ammonia.

The white tongue has a bad smell, although it does not seriously affect life, but it brings many inconveniences in daily life, causing direct effects on the ability to advance as well as the opportunity to express yourself. body in front of the crowd. In addition, a foul-smelling tongue stalk is also a warning sign for a number of health problems such as:
Oral pathology: the appearance of a white tongue with a foul odor indicates ridges on the tongue. blood if you scrape your tongue. The cause of this problem stems from oral thrush. Children and the elderly are the most common subjects, because their immune systems are very weak compared to normal people. Gastroesophageal reflux: The cause of gastroesophageal reflux is due to an excess of stomach acid or a weak esophageal sphincter as well as too much food in the stomach. This makes it easy to feel the gastric juice being pushed back up to the nasopharynx, causing burning pain, discomfort, mucosal damage along with bad odors. Oral inflammation: Inflammation in the mouth is caused by damage to the soft tissues in the oral cavity. In most cases, the infection clears up on its own within 2 weeks. The appearance of a white tongue with a bad odor is a warning sign that you have a Candida infection or thrush. In addition to the bad smell of the tongue, the infection of the mouth also causes other symptoms such as burning pain when eating, the body is in a state of fatigue, loss of taste, weakness.

To prevent the white tongue with a bad smell, it is necessary to pay attention to the following ways:
Oral hygiene: perform oral hygiene after each meal, and it should be noted that this is only done present after meals about 1 hour to avoid enamel erosion. Choose a soft toothbrush to avoid scratching your teeth. At the same time, combine with the use of dental floss and mouthwash for a fresh breath. Building a diet: implementing a scientific diet is one of the ways to prevent white tongue and bad breath. So, follow a well-cooked diet and supplement with vitamins and minerals for the body. In addition, it is necessary to add about 1.5-2 liters of water per day to purify the body, avoid dehydration and dry mouth. Minimize the use of canned or fried foods as well as harmful stimulants. Periodic dental health check-up: create a routine for yourself to take care of your teeth and visit them periodically to scrape tartar, check and detect abnormalities in the gums and tongue early so that you can take measures. appropriate intervention. In short, a foul-smelling tongue is often the result of food fermentation by the anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in the mouth. This process produces volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, which may be present in periodontal disease. In addition, the condition of the tongue with a bad smell despite very clean oral hygiene can be a manifestation of some digestive diseases. Therefore, make a habit of taking care of your teeth and visit them periodically to detect abnormalities early and take timely intervention measures.
Follow Vinmec International General Hospital website to get more health, nutrition and beauty information to protect the health of yourself and your loved ones in your family.