The Many Causes of Bad Breath

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The Many Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath, sometimes called halitosis, is an embarrassing condition that can impact your relationships with people and lower your self-esteem. One in every five people deals with bad breath to some extent . Here are some of the many things that may cause bad breath:

Dietary Habits

Some foods, such as garlic, have a strong odor of their own and will affect your breath until they completely pass through your system.

Poor Oral Hygiene

If you don’t brush your teeth, food particles can remain in your mouth, promoting bacteria growth on your teeth, gums, and your tongue. These bacteria can cause bad breath, along with other health problems such as tartar build up, gum disease and tooth decay. Bad breath can also be caused by cavities.

Tobacco Products

Chewing or smoking tobacco can cause many kinds of damage to your mouth, including bad breath, and can increase the risk of gum disease.

Oral Infections

Persistent bad breath may be a sign of a more serious health issue. Periodontal (or gum) disease is caused by the buildup of bacteria on the gums. This bacteria produces plaque and toxins, irritating the gums and damaging your teeth.

Dry Mouth

Saliva helps neutralize the acids produced by plaque and washes away dead cells that build up on your cheeks, gums and tongue. If these cells are not removed, they decay and cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be caused by a variety of issues, including taking certain kinds of medication, issues with the salivary glands, or continuous breathing through the mouth.

Other Diseases

Other diseases can cause bad breath, including oral thrush, respiratory infections such as pneumonia, chronic sinus infections, diabetes, acid reflux, liver and kidney disease, and even some types of cancer.


Some medications can cause dry mouth, causing bad breath. In other cases, some medications release chemicals as they break down that can be carried out on your breath.

Most of the time, bad breath is simple and can be easily treated with brushing, flossing, and careful monitoring of what you eat. Be sure to make regular appointments with your dentist to have your mouth examined and your teeth cleaned. If you are still having troubles with bad breath, make an appointment with us today by calling (619) 500-8212.

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