What Causes Bad Breath?
November 16, 2008 by rainier
Bad breath can be caused by many factors including poor oral hygiene, particular foods, underlying dental or medical conditions, dry mouth and certain lifestyle changes and choices.
Poor oral hygiene is the primary cause of bad breath. Bacteria from food particles that remain on or in between the teeth can become rotten and emit a foul smell. Flossing daily and brushing twice a day can prevent this from happening.
Strong and spicy foods can also cause bad breath. This is because the odor from these foods is expelled from our lungs after the foods are absorbed into the bloodstream.
According to dental studies, about 85% of people with persistent bad breath (also known as halitosis) have a dental condition that is to blame. These conditions could be one or more of the following:
# Poor oral hygiene
# Gum disease
# Cavities
# Oral cancer
# Dry mouth (xerostomia)
# Bacteria on the tongue
It is important to rule out any medical or dental problems for chronic bad breath. If bad breath is the cause of a dental condition, mouthwash will only mask the odor and not cure it.
Lifestyle changes and choices are also contributing factors for bad breath, especially with teens. Tobacco use, eating disorders and braces are some examples of these changes and choices.
