Bad breath, also known by the medical term halitosis, is often caused by inadequate oral hygiene. However it's not the only cause, with other possibilities including:
Dental cariesRespiratory tract infections (nose, throat, lungs, sinus)
Infected gums
Constipation
Indigestion
Inadequate diet
Fever
Diabetes
Smoking
Kidney or liver dysfunctions
Alcohol abuse
The reason we often wake up in the morning with bad breath is because our mouths tend to dry out overnight. Many people breathe through their mouths while asleep, leading to poor hydration. A good quantity of saliva is necessary to wash your mouth free of the bacteria that cause bad breath.
A lack of proper nutrition can also cause bad breath when your body is trying to decompose the stored fats and proteins. The process of degradation releases certain metabolic products that have a bad smell, and so when you breathe out your breath smells bad as well.
Coffee can also be a culprit in bad breath. When you drink coffee, small particles are placed on your tooth enamel or directly into your digestive system. So when you exhale, the bad smell comes back up into your mouth. Coffee isn't the only offender in this respect - beer, whiskey, wine and other alcoholic drinks all have a very similar effect. That's why many alcoholics have bad breath.
So if you have bad breath, what can you do to eradicate it?
Avoid using condiments on your food, as the smell can last for hours. Oils with a pungent smell are major offenders and the smell can last up to 24 hoursMake sure you gargle regularly with a quality mouthwash
Hydrate your body. Drink lots of water that's as free from impurities such as suspended particles and chemicals as possible
Keep your mouth clean. Use a good toothbrush, floss daily, and visit your dentist regularly
Follow a green diet to hydrate your body and remove toxins from
Be very careful when choosing a mouthwash, because many of the mouthwash manufacturers add colorants, alcohol and flavors to make them palatable. While mouthwash can help eliminate bad breath, it can also irritate your tongue, gums and the mucous membrane if you use it too often. So be sensible with it.
If you find that despite all your best efforts the bad breath persists, then it's a good idea to visit your doctor. Some bad breath is caused by problems in the digestive system, so it's important to have that possibility checked out when other measures have failed.
Bad Breath CausesFor ways to make your breath smell better try visiting http://www.bad-breath-relief.com where you will quickly and easily find a variety of tips, advice and resources on how to turn bad breath into fresh breath.