Breath with These 4 Odors Could Be a Sign of Illness – Pay Close Attention

In reality, there are many reasons why breath develops an odor, and simply cleaning the mouth may not solve the problem.

People who frequently smoke, drink alcohol, consume coffee, or eat strongly flavored foods such as onions, garlic, and leeks are more likely to develop bad breath.

In addition, here are 5 common causes of bad breath:

1. Reduced Saliva Production

Saliva has antibacterial properties. If you often breathe through your mouth, saliva production decreases, creating favorable conditions for bacteria to multiply and cause bad breath.

2. Oral Health Issues

Tartar buildup, cavities, periodontitis, or tonsil stones can all negatively affect fresh breath.

3. Stomach Problems

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is the most common cause. This bacteria can lead to gastritis and ulcers while producing foul-smelling gases.

If you frequently experience acid reflux or belching, you should visit a hospital to check for H. pylori infection.

4. Disorders of the Spleen and Stomach (Traditional Chinese Medicine Theory)

According to Traditional Chinese Medicine, bad breath may result from internal organ dysfunction—especially disorders of the spleen and stomach.

Symptoms such as irregular stools, sticky saliva, bloating, and a coated tongue should be monitored and adjusted.

5. Metabolic Diseases

Conditions like diabetes and liver disease, though seemingly unrelated, can also cause bad breath. Metabolic disorders often manifest through unusual odors in breath as a warning signal.

What Do These Diseases Make Your Breath Smell Like?

1. Sour Odor

A sour taste in the mouth is often linked to indigestion. When food remains in the stomach for too long, fermentation by digestive juices, enzymes, and bacteria produces a sour smell.

People with bile reflux or excess stomach acid may also experience sour breath, which requires treatment of the stomach and digestive system.

2. Rotten Egg Odor

If your breath smells like “rotten eggs,” it often indicates oral health issues. The buildup of bacteria on the teeth, tongue, and tonsils produces volatile sulfur compounds and gases similar to the smell of spoiled eggs or rotting vegetables.

If you notice this smell, check for gum disease, cavities, tonsil stones, or insufficient saliva production.

Tonsil stones, in particular, are often hidden and difficult to detect, and daily oral hygiene cannot remove them. If you see white spots on your tonsils, it may indicate tonsil stones.

⚠️ Important: Do not attempt to remove tonsil stones on your own, as this may cause bleeding, infection, or acute tonsillitis. Treatment should be done by a doctor.

3. Rotten Apple Odor

A smell of rotten apples in the breath is a characteristic symptom of diabetes. Because metabolism is disrupted, acetone builds up in the lungs and is exhaled through the breath.

If you clearly notice this odor, you should pay close attention to diabetes screening.

4. Fecal Odor

When kidney function is impaired, metabolic waste cannot be properly processed and eliminated. Instead, these toxins escape through the lungs, causing breath to smell like feces or urine—an extremely unpleasant and serious condition.

If this abnormal odor is detected, you should immediately have your liver and kidney functions checked, as it may be an early sign of disease.