BAD BREATH, ALSO KNOWN AS HALITOSIS, IS A TREATABLE PROBLEM COMMON TO MANY ADULTS.
THE CAUSES OF BAD BREATH
It can be caused by something you eat or, in more serious cases, it can mean a deeper oral health problem or a serious medical problem. Below are the possible causes of common bad breath as well as chronic bad breath or halitosis.
1- General oral health
In most cases, bad breath is caused by poor oral hygiene. If you don't regularly clean your teeth and your entire mouth, food particles can remain in your mouth and cause bacteria (also called plaque) to build up on your teeth. The rough surface of the tongue and tonsils can trap food particles and bacteria in the mouth, causing the unpleasant odor of bad breath. Poor oral hygiene also causes oral health-related diseases, such as cavities and gum disease, which are also associated with bad breath. Consistent and thorough oral care habits are the best defense against bad breath.
2 - Strong tasting foods and drinks
After eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic and some vegetables and spices, odor-causing particles enter the bloodstream and travel to the lungs, where they affect the smell of your breath every time you exhale.
3 - Coffee
If you like to have a big cup of coffee in the morning to start your day, you may be experiencing bad breath. Coffee can cause bad breath because of its strong taste, as well as the effect it has on saliva production. After drinking coffee, caffeine causes a decrease in saliva production. Less saliva means an increase in odor-causing bacteria.
4 - Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is another culprit of bad breath, so the more you drink, the more likely you are to suffer from it. Alcohol consumption, especially in excess, leads to a decrease in saliva production, which is the best environment for odor-causing bacteria to thrive.
5 - Diets high in sugar
In addition to fatty or spicy foods, diets high in sugar and protein can also cause bad breath. A diet high in sugar can cause bad breath and halitosis because of the way sugars interact with the bacteria in the mouth. Bacteria naturally present in the mouth feed on sugars and turn sweet pleasures into unpleasant odors.
6 - High-protein or low-carbohydrate diets
Carbohydrates perform vital functions in our bodies, and if your diet is low enough in carbohydrates, they can cause bad breath. When the body does not get enough carbohydrates due to extreme dieting, it can cause changes in the body's metabolism, which can cause bad breath.
Protein-rich foods can sometimes be difficult for the body to digest and tend to give off sulfurous gases when not metabolized. Avoid this by eating a more balanced and nutritious diet with more vegetables and herbs.
7 - Smoking
All tobacco products, whether they are cigarettes, chewing products or pipes, cause bad breath and lead to much more serious oral health problems. In addition to making your mouth smell like an ashtray, they damage tissues and cause gum disease.
8 - Digestive problems
Poor digestion, constipation and intestinal problems can cause unpleasant breath odors. If you frequently suffer from acid reflux, odors from freshly eaten food can easily travel up the esophagus and out the mouth, causing bad breath.
9 - Dry mouth
Saliva helps keep the mouth clean by removing food particles that cause bad breath. When saliva production decreases or stops, a condition known as xerostomia, bad breath is likely to occur. This occurs naturally during sleep, which is why most people wake up with unpleasant breath. But if the problem persists throughout the day, it may be worth considering treatment.
10 - Prescription drugs
Hundreds of prescription medications have the side effect of drying out the mouth. When the mouth is dry, that is, when saliva production decreases, conditions are right for the bacteria that cause odor to grow. Having a dry mouth for a long period of time can cause discomfort and bad breath. In addition, some medications, when broken down in the body, release chemicals that can be carried in the bloodstream to the breath.
11 - Other causes
While in most cases bad breath is caused by bacteria, a number of other health problems can contribute to it. Bad breath can be a warning sign of other diseases. Post-nasal drip, respiratory tract and tonsil infections, sinus problems, diabetes, liver and kidney problems, and some blood disorders can cause bad breath. In some cases, bad breath can be a sign of cancer or other serious diseases, such as metabolic disorders.