Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is an embarrassing problem that many people complain about. Some of its common causes include:
- Food: Most foods get stuck in the teeth, initiating the growth of bacteria, which causes a bad breath odor.
- Smoking: Smoking leaves harmful chemicals in the mouth which also cause a bad breath.
- Poor dental hygiene and gum diseases: Irregular brushing or flossing lead to a buildup of plaque in the mouth, which causes a bad odor.
- Medications: Some medications can cause your mouth to dry which in turn leads to a bad breath.
- Certain diseases: Metabolic disorders, gastro esophageal reflux disease (GERD) and some cancers can produce chemicals that are associated with bad breath.
What You Can Do About Bad Breath
It's easy to improve your breath and keep your teeth and gums healthy at the same time. Try these simple steps to make your mouth feel fresh and clean.
- Brush your teeth at least two times each day, and floss at least once.
- Rinse daily with a good mouthwash and stop bad breath at its source.
- Cut down on smoking, caffeine and other contributing food habits.
- Get help from dentist to treat and rule out any dental or gum disease and for advice on oral hygiene measure.
- If your bad breath continues despite your best efforts, make an appointment with your doctor. He'll check to see if your problems are related to a medical condition.
References:
"Bad Breath." Bad Breath (halitosis) - Causes. N.p., 9 Mar. 2016. Web. 24 Jan. 2017.“Bad Breath.” What You Can Do About Bad Breath, 22 Mar. 2015.