Causes of bad breath

Bad breath or halitosis, as it is medically referred to, is caused by an oral bacteria in the majority of cases. There are the certain conditions which encourage these bacteria to develop, while sometimes this happens as a result of insufficient hygiene in the areas where these bacteria are likely to develop, whether it is due to improper oral care or because the inability to perform it.

Bad breath caused by foods

When thinking about foods that can cause bad breath, the first ones that come to mind are probably garlic and onions. The reason this happens is that these foods are segmented into molecules thanks to the digestive system and after that, they travel to the parts of the body they are supposed to nurture while sometimes getting into the lungs as well. When these foods have an unpleasant smell, like garlic and onions do, the smell of the molecules which have managed to get into the lungs will affect the person’s breath when they exhale. However, although it may be quite unpleasant, this is not the problematic kind of bad breath as it is only temporary and doesn’t last for more than a day and the person can always prevent it by avoiding foods which tend to provoke it.

Bad breath caused by smoking

Bad breath caused by smoking is another non-threatening kind of bad breath as it does not signify the presence of any other condition that requires treatment. This kind of bad breath, or the so-called smoker’s breath, originates from tar, nicotine and other repulsive substances that cigarettes contain. The only truly and permanently effective way to get rid of it is to quit smoking which would not only regulate bad breath, but keep the person much healthier in general. If this, however, is not an option for someone, bad breath can bi considerably reduced by making sure to have flawless oral hygiene.

Bad breath caused by dry mouth

Dry mouth usually follows waking up, because the saliva is has a reduced flow while the person is sleeping. It can also occur when talking for a great period of time or when breathing through the mouth. Why bad breath occurs in these situations is because the moisture that saliva provides in the mouth is used to cleanse the areas which are prone to developing oral bacteria that lead to bad breath. A somewhat advanced stage of bad breath caused by dry mouth is the chronic stage which is called Xerostomia. Xerostomia can be a side effect of certain medications or it can simply occur as a result of someone’s age, as the production of saliva usually becomes less effective with age.

Finally, bad breath can also be a symptom of an underlying medical or dental condition and in the situations where all the above-mentioned reasons for bad breath are ruled out, one should consult a doctor in order to diagnose the real issue.