Breath problems can be tricky to battle, since there can be so many different bad breath causes. Foul breath, or "halitosis," can be a huge problem, as it stops a lot of people from being comfortable around others in close work environments, in restaurants, and in intimate settings.
One of the main issues is actually diet. What happens is that food particles stick around in the mouth and, basically, decay over time. The break-down of this food causes the unpleasant aroma. If that's not enough, there are some foods, such as garlic and onions, that contain pungent oils that lead to pungent breath. In fact, the powerful oils are ultimately taken into the bloodstream. As the fragranced blood works its way to the lungs, the by-product is odor that seeps out as we exhale. Moreover, the oil is continually released so long as the food is being digested, which means the smell can last up to 3 days!
Next, one of the obvious bad breath causes is simply poor dental care. Most people are aware of the need for regular brushing, of course. However, though a great many acknowledge the need to floss, relatively few do so. This is important because it helps get rid of left behind food that can hide out between teeth and along the gums. The food that sticks around is an excellent bacteria magnet. The bacteria like to feed on the food. The big trouble with this is that the bacteria are living entities, which means they release waste. Guess where they let it go? Gross, I know, but this is why hydrogen sulfide vapors can seep from your mouth!
Another of the frequent bad breath causes is plaque. Over time, plaque can accumulate on the teeth. In addition to causing gingivitis, it can lead to tooth decay as well as irritate your gum lines and result in poor breath.
The next in our series of bad breath causes may not affect as many people, but it's still a widespread source of bad breath. If folks with dentures do not have a good, tight fit, then food can also build up in the empty cavities where a snug fit is lacking. However, even if there is a really good fit, dentures that are not cleaned frequently enough can lead to bad breath.
Bad breath causes even extend to seemingly benign problems such as having a dry mouth. Saliva is instrumental in both wetting and cleaning the mouth. When the mouth is excessively dry, as can happen with prescription medications, the dead skin cells and bacterial waste have a chance to collect. Ultimately, you have rotting material on the teeth, tongue, cheeks, and gums and this all leads to foul breath. If you've noticed the "morning breath" you have when you wake up, then you know what I'm talking about.
As if that's not enough, sinus infections make the list of common bad breath causes. In this case, the sinuses are discharges mucus down the throat, which is why foul aroma comes from the mouth. Of course, this isn't limited to sinus infections, as regular throat infections can cause the same problem. Really, the same result can stem from bronchitis and upper respiratory infections.
No discussion of bad breath causes would be complete without noting how abuse of our body is a source of bad aroma. As just one example, consider how tobacco can affect your breath. Whether dipping it or smoking it, tobacco is bad for your breath. Although you probably would have guessed that, what about dieting? In truth, extreme dieting, or even fasting, can lead to ketoacidosis, which is the breakdown of chemicals leading to foul breath.
As you can see, there are many bad breath causes, so you really need to narrow down the source before you can apply the right solution. You could simply need to have a toothbrush handy so you can brush your teeth after lunch. Or you may even be able to get away with eliminating tobacco, not that that would necessarily be easy. But, in any event, it's good to get to the bottom of you bad breath situation since your source may just require a trip to the dentist.
Bad Breath CausesWant more useful information on bad breath causes? Will Schneider is a fresh breath enthusiast and bad breath cure aficionado. Visit his bad breath solution website at http://www.curingbadbreathdepot.com today and get your mini-course free!