Causes for Bad Breath

Halitosis or bad breath is a cause for embarrassment in the society. Bad breath can often be cured by taking a few simple precautions and following proper dental hygiene.

The common causes of halitosis are:-
Food- Vegetables like Onions, Garlic and certain spices lend a pungent odor to the breath and the bad breath persists for about 72 hours, the approximate time required for these food to be eliminated from the blood stream.

Hygiene- Bad dental Hygiene caused by remnants of food within the mouth cavity is one of the main reasons for bad breath. Bacteria acting on the food particles give rise to a pungent hydrogen sulfide like breath. Poor brushing of teeth can also give rise to dental problems like gingivitis and ultimately cause decay of the teeth.

Dry Mouth- Saliva is a natural antiseptic. It helps in cleansing and moistening the mouth. Breakdown of dead cells in the mouth cause halitosis in absence of saliva. Smoking, certain medicines or salivary gland problems can affect the formation of saliva and cause dry mouth. This condition occurs naturally during sleeping and is enhanced if the person sleeps with his mouth open.

Diseases- Chronic lung conditions can produce foul smelling breath. Other diseases like cancer, kidney and liver failure can also result in such a condition. Diabetes and digestive disorders like acidic gastric refluxes are also associated with halitosis. Respiratory tract diseases or any foreign substance lodged in the nasal passage can lead to bad breath. Sinusitis can also be the reason for such a condition.

Smoking- Tobacco users often have rank and fetid breath due to dry mouth and various diseases of the mouth cavity can frequently be associated with smoking or chewing tobacco.

Dieting- Surprisingly, dieting can also cause bad breath. Starvation causes a breakdown of chemicals leading to ketoacidosis and this gives rise to a rich fruit like odor.