How Does Bad Breath Occur?

Definition

Bad breath is an actual medical condition called halitosis. It is defined as any odor that in not pleasant that comes from the air a person breathes out. Bad breath is embarrassing and not highly tolerated by others. It should be addressed.

Foods

The most obvious cause of bad breath occurs because of certain foods a person eats. Garlic, onions and coffee top the list. If a person eats a large amount of garlic it can even affect their breath for a couple of days. The only solution to this cause of bad breath is to avoid the foods. You may also want to choose limiting those foods to the days you don't plan on going out.

Plaque Build Up

When a person doesn't practice good dental hygiene and doesn't get routine cleanings, plaque builds up on their teeth. Foods then stick to the plaque and begin to decay. Imagine leaving a piece of food in your refrigerator for a long time. What happens to it? It begins to go bad and emits gasses that smell horrible. The same occurs when food sits stuck in your mouth. Mouthwash will only mask the odor for a short time and will not cure the problem. You need to see a dentist and get a thorough cleaning. After that daily attention to cleaning the teeth and mouth should be a priority.

Morning Breath

It is common for most individuals to wake up with morning breath. This is because saliva dries up at night while a person is sleeping. To reduce the amount of morning breath you have, drink plenty of water. You may also chew some gum before bed which gets your saliva glands working extra hard. This will keep your mouth moist longer than normal during the night.

Other Medical Conditions

Bad breath can also be a result of a medical condition. Acid reflux, liver disease and kidney disease have all been known to cause bad breath. The only solution is to address the underlying disease. You must seek medical treatment from your family doctor as well as some specialists to get this under control.