Bad Breath Causes

Seen as one the main impediments to socialising and even a threat to becoming employed, bad breath (halitosis) is what we refer to as a persistent odour coming from a person’s mouth, which differs from an occasional and temporary one (for instance morning breath, alcohol breath and so forth). It can be caused by a variety of factors, frequently related to bacteria specifically found in the oral cavity.

Dental health problems

Dental hygiene is crucial not solely for health reasons and physical appearance but in order to avoid halitosis as well, which can develop as a result of poor dental care and may be difficult to get rid of. That happens as food particles often remain between one’s teeth or between the teeth and gums after eating, and failing to properly brush and floss will in time cause bacteria to gather and thrive. Gum disease can also produce unpleasant odours, as well as removable dentures, if one fails to keep them hygienic enough, and artificial teeth if poorly fitted, as sometimes there are spaces between the fake teeth and gums where food can infiltrate and decompose, which will normally cause a strong odour. That cannot be fixed without the aid of a good dentist. Dental caries, which are very common and which people often put off treating until they become unbearably painful, can cause odours as well if in an advanced state.

Other conditions of the mouth

Besides tooth or gum related problems, conditions such as xerostomia (commonly referred to as ‘dry mouth’) or yeast infections are known for causing bad breath. Xerostomia implies a lack of saliva, which is imperiously necessary in transporting biological material away from the mouth, whilst yeast infection has its own particular odour.

Smoking

It is well known that tobacco smoke affects the whole respiratory system as well as the oral cavity, being a frequent cause of tooth damage and always damaging the lungs to a certain extent.  Especially combined with poor dental hygiene, smoking can very easily cause bad breath. And since bad breath does not solely come from the oral cavity but can come from the lungs as well, the effect is often a double one, especially after a few decades of inhaling this toxic smoke.

Respiratory illnesses

We know that temporary bad breath is often associated with certain foods with a very strong smell, such as onions or garlic. The smell will persist in one’s breath for many hours in spite of brushing, as it is absorbed into the lungs through the blood stream as the digestive process is undergone. When conditions such as bronchitis or pneumonia are present, odours can emanate from the respiratory tract as well.

The first step towards getting rid of bad breath is identifying its causes. A dentist will tell you if it is caused by any abnormalities in your oral cavity, and if not, all possibilities must be examined. Bad breath could be the externalization of a more serious condition and could thus help you recognize them.