Bad breath is a problem that most people are going to have to face at some point in time. The true causes of bad breath are not that complicated; in fact, there is only one main cause. The problem is that there are a lot of contributing factors that can make it difficult to determine what is causing your breath odor issues. There are however a few common causes that are likely the culprit.
The true cause of bad breath (halitosis) is bacteria in the mouth; this bacteria is the source of bad breath in almost every single case. There are a variety of sources for this bacteria, but ultimately it is the bacteria that is causing the halitosis. We all have bacteria in our mouths. It is there for a reason - it helps us to digest our food. The problem occurs when we have too much bacteria and this can occur in a number of ways.
One of the true causes of bad breath is poor dental hygiene. Not brushing and flossing your teeth properly will cause a build up of this bacteria in your mouth. Plaque on your teeth, gum disease, and cavities are all breeding grounds for bacteria and need to be addressed if you want to freshen your breath. In most cases, proper brushing and flossing, along with regular visits to the dentist, will solve your breath problems.
A dry mouth is another possible cause, so it is important to make sure that you drink lots of water. One of the jobs of the saliva in your mouth is to kill the bacteria that causes bad breath, so a dry mouth usually results in problems with breath odor. In addition to drinking plenty of water it is a good idea to avoid alcohol since it will cause you to become dehydrated and leave you with a dry mouth.
There are a variety of other ways that you can get excessive bacteria in your mouth. These include illness and allergies; post nasal drip is one of the main causes. Diet can be a cause of bad breath, especially a diet that is high in protein. Bacteria feeds on protein so a diet with a lot of protein tends to cause an increase in bacteria. Certain medications can also worsen your breath. It may be necessary to visit your doctor to address some of these issues. At the very least, if you have oral hygiene issues, you should mention it at your next check up.
The true causes of bad breath really are not that complicated - it is the result of bacteria in your mouth. The problem is in determining just how that bacteria got there, which could have happened in a number of ways. Poor dental hygiene is far and away the most common cause, but it is by no means the only one. The best option is usually to talk to your dentist or doctor and see if they can help to come up with a solution.
Bad Breath CausesLevi Bloom is a health and fitness writer. For more information on preventing bad breath, check out http://BadBreathTreatments.com/, a website covering cures and treatments for bad breath.