Bad breath, otherwise known as halitosis, is caused by microbial activity that occurs on the tongue and in the mouth. Generally, when people brush their teeth daily they are able to prevent bad breath. When people don’t brush their teeth regularly, the bacteria builds up and starts to produce chemicals that can cause halitosis. Medical conditions, such as gum disease, diabetes, and liver problems can also lead to bad breath. Poor oral hygiene is the most common cause of bad breath, but there are other causes that should be considered as well. In this article, we will be discussing the top most common causes of bad breath.
Food
The most common cause of bad breath is from food particles trapped between teeth. Not brushing your teeth daily allows plaque to build upon the teeth. Plaque contains bacteria, which ferment starches from food left in the mouth. Foods high in starch are bread, cereals, etc., but these types of foods are not solely responsible for causing bad breath; they only contribute to it when there is poor oral hygiene. The more sugary a person’s diet is also contributing to having an increased amount of sugar in the mouth, which feeds the bacteria and causes odor.
Lack Of Brushing
Lack of hygiene is one of the leading causes of bad breath. Not brushing teeth regularly or using a tongue scraper can cause bacteria to build upon the tongue. This bacteria will release an unpleasant odor when it dies. It’s also important to floss daily between teeth as food particles that are left there will decay and release an odor as well.
There are many causes of bad breath, but most of them can be prevented by practicing good oral hygiene habits. Brushing your teeth twice a day, flossing once a day, and using a tongue scraper can help remove bacteria and food particles from your mouth that may cause bad breath. Drinking plenty of water and avoiding alcohol and cigarettes can also help keep your mouth healthy and free from bad breath.
Coffee
Drinking coffee on a regular basis can also cause bad breath. This is because coffee is a natural diuretic, which means it makes you urinate more often. When you urinate, your body gets rid of excess water and minerals. This includes the water that’s in your mouth, which helps to rinse away bacteria and food particles. If you don’t drink enough water throughout the day to make up for the amount of coffee you’ve consumed, you may start to experience a dry mouth and bad breath.
Drinking Alcohol
Drinking a lot of alcohol can also cause a person to have bad breath. A substance from alcoholic drinks called acetaldehyde is broken down or metabolized in our bodies to acetic acid, carbon dioxide, and water. If you drink a lot of alcohol on a daily basis, your body’s ability to break down this molecule slows as the liver becomes overloaded with toxins.
When this happens, some people experience dry mouth, where there isn’t enough saliva being produced by glands in the mouth. Saliva helps rinse away food particles that get stuck between teeth, keeping them clean and stopping them from decaying. Without too much saliva, bacteria begin to produce more smelling substances which cause someone’s bad breath.