How To Tell If You Have Bad Breath

There are lots of different causes of bad breath, and that can impact what your breath actually smells like. In addition to obvious culprits like garlic and onions, alcohol breath, and bad breath caused by poor oral hygiene, there are other types that might indicate an oral or general health problem. Here are some examples of types of bad breath smell and what they might mean: 

• Sweet, fruity or like nail polish – a potential sign of diabetes or a side effect of a low-carb diet like keto. 
• Rotten – gum disease, tooth decay, or an infection in the mouth, throat or lungs.
• Sour – a possible symptom of acid reflux, when stomach acid travels up into the esophagus (food pipe).
• Fecal – potentially a sign of a chronic gastrointestinal disorder or a bowel obstruction (a medical emergency).
• Ammonia – a sign of kidney disease.
• Musty – a sign of liver disease.
• Fishy – a sign of a disorder called trimethylaminuria, in which your body cannot break down a certain enzyme. Sweat and urine will usually have the same fishy odor.

It may feel awkward to ask someone to smell your breath and give you feedback, but this can be really helpful. You can try asking someone you're close with, and ask them if they notice a white coating on the back of your tongue, too; this is a common sign of bacteria that causes bad breath.

If you're too embarrassed to ask a friend, you can always ask your dentist. A dentist can assess the air from your mouth and nose to find the source of any odor. Whatever the outcome, a dentist will be able to help you treat or prevent bad breath from happening in the future.

Need to check how your breath smells quickly? Try the sniff test. There are a couple of ways to do it. You can start by cupping your hands over your mouth and nose, breathing into your hands, and then seeing if you notice a smell. Or if you lick your wrist, let it dry for a moment, then take a whiff, you should be able to get an idea if your breath has an odor. Another method is to floss toward the back of your mouth, then smell the floss. Or gently scrape your tongue using a tongue scraper or soft bristle toothbrush, then smell the scraper.