Bad Breath: Symptoms

What other symptoms might occur with bad breath?

Bad breath may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition.

Oral symptoms that may occur along with bad breath

Bad breath may accompany other symptoms affecting the mouth including:

• Bleeding gums
• Bright red or red-purple appearance to gums
• Dry mouth
• Gum tenderness
• Mouth or facial pain, especially when eating
• Mouth sores
• Receding gums
• Redness over the side of the face or the upper neck
• Sores that contain pus
• Sore throat
• Swollen gums

Other symptoms that may occur along with bad breath

Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to the respiratory system and other body systems including:

• Fatigue
• Fever
• Headaches
• Pain, tenderness, swelling and pressure around the eyes, cheeks, nose or forehead
• Postnasal drip
• Sore throat
• Stuffy nose or nasal congestion

Gastrointestinal system symptoms that may occur along with bad breath

Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to the gastrointestinal system including:

• Abdominal gas or bloating
• Indigestion
• Heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Nausea with or without vomiting

Diabetes symptoms that may occur along with bad breath

Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to diabetic ketoacidosis including:

• Confusion
• Frequent urination
• Difficulty breathing
• Dry or flushed skin
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Thirst or a very dry mouth

Liver symptoms that may occur along with bad breath

Bad breath may accompany symptoms related to liver failure including:

• Confusion
• Dark urine
• Fatigue and weakness
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea with or without vomiting
• Persistent itching
• Swelling of the feet and ankles

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, bad breath may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be evaluated immediately in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Breath that smells like feces
• Difficulty thinking clearly
• High fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit)
• Prolonged vomiting
• Rapid breathing (tachypnea) or shortness of breath