5 causes of bad breath

Bad breath is embarrassing, but do you really know what’s causing your bad breath? here are a number of reasons you might have bad breath.

1. Dry Mouth

Dry mouth occurs when the flow of saliva decreases in your mouth. Saliva is the body’s natural method of cleansing the mouth and removing food particles. According to the American Dental Association, medical conditions such as salivary gland problems or continuously breathing through your mouth can lead to bad breath. Chewing sugarless gum makes you salivate which will help wash away bacteria in your mouth leaving your breath minty fresh.

2. Medical Conditions

Persistent bad breath can be a sign of other serious health problems such as a respiratory tract infection, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes and gastrointestinal disorder. If your dentist determines your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor to determine other sources of the odour.

3. Food

Avoiding certain types of food like meat, sugar, high-fat and spicy foods, and dairy products can help eliminate bad breath. Garlic, onions, coffee the list of breath-offending foods is long, and what you eat affects the air you exhale.

4. Tongue

Tongue is one of the most common causes of bad breath. The “fur” on your tongue acts like a carpet where food particles, bacteria and post-nasal drip can accumulate, creating the ideal conditions for bacteria to breed. A tongue cleaner or tongue scraper is an oral-hygiene device designed to clean the sludge that collects on the surface of your tongue. Cleaning your tongue regularly can make a huge difference in the quality of your breath.

5. Smoking and Tobacco

Smoking stains your teeth, gives you bad breath and puts you at risk for a host of health problems. Tobacco reduces your ability to taste foods and irritates gum tissues. Tobacco users are more likely to suffer from gum disease. Since smoking also affects your sense of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.