Tracking Down Bad Breath Causes

Bad breath is the kind of gift no one wants to receive. No matter what bad breath causes are in play, it’s no fun to be a giver – or receiver – of the bad breath treatment.



While this site examines bad breath cures in detail, it’s important also to take a look at bad breath causes.

Food is definitely a key factor in bad breath. Food can linger between your teeth, and as it breaks down, odors can result. There are volatile oils in some kinds of food that can also lead to bad breath – items like onions and garlic are key offenders in this area!

The problem with these foods doesn’t begin and end in the mouth, sadly. After the foods are digested, these volatile oils are absorbed into your bloodstream. The next step sees them carried through the body – it’s in the lungs where they have the main impact. The odors are carried on your breath until the food is finally processed and eliminated from your body.

You may think these foods do short-term damage, but in reality, their “impact” can be felt for up to three days after you eat them. A moment on the lips, an extensive stint on your breath…and you’re on to one of the main bad breath causes going.

Taking care of your teeth is an important part of avoiding bad breath. Flossing and brushing at least once a day will help remove food particles. If those particles aren’t removed, they remain in the mouth and on the teeth, collecting bacteria and creating the hydrogen sulfide vapors that are particularly offensive to the nose.

When you pay attention to dental hygiene, you aren’t just doing your breath a favor. The overall health of your mouth will improve, as you eliminate the plaque that can irritate your gums and even result in gingivitis and decaying teeth.

As far as bacteria-generation goes, there’s probably no worse offender than dentures. If you don’t clean them often – after every meal, if possible – they can be one of the leading bad breath causes. And poor-fitting dentures are definitely a breeding ground for bacteria.

As surprising as it may sound, dry mouth is one of the most common bad breath causes. Saliva helps to keep your mouth moist and clean, but if your mouth is dry, dead cells can gather on your tongue, cheeks and gums. When they decompose, an odor results.

Dry mouth is also the reason behind dreaded morning breath, since as we sleep, our mouths naturally dry out.

Another surprising bad breath cause is the sinus infection. Mouth odor results as your sinus drain into the back of your throat. Ever had a case of bronchitis, a throat infection or even a respiratory? All that breathing through your mouth can dry things out, and contribute to bad breath.

While you aren’t completely in control when it comes to medical issues and infections that are bad breath causes, you can eliminate some of the leading cause with changes in your habits. Smokers commonly experience bad breath, since smoking works to dry out the mouth. They are also at greater risk for periodontal disease, which in term can be a cause of bad breath.

What you may not realize is that dieters are at increased risk for bad breath. Serious dieting can create ketoacidosis, a breakdown of chemicals that is the result of fasting. The ends result is a fruity smell that’s distinctly unpleasant – most of us who yo-yo diet will recognize these bad breath causes, and cringe!

Resolving to determine bad breath causes and then to fix them is important not only for you and your health, but for the comfort of people around you. If the extra tooth-brushing, flossing and subtle diet changes seem like too much work, just remember how unpleasant it is to be the recipient of someone else’s bad breath. If that memory doesn’t motivate you, nothing will!