Bad breath can be one of the most socially embarrassing situations that one goes through. To avoid it, we need to fully understand the probable causes and appropriate remedies for it. As much as food and drink might play a role in a bad breath situation, they are not necessarily the only cause for it. Bad breath, also medically known as halitosis, comes mostly from bacteria in the mouth and on the tongue, namely substances that are excreted by oral bacteria by the name of volatile sulfur compounds (VSC’s). VSC’s are the direct cause for bad breath, the reasons for their existence are many, including negligent dental care routine, pungent-smelling foods like onion and garlic, smoking besides some medical conditions.

To begin to solve such a problem, first we have to understand the causes and factors that come into play and lead to such condition, causes can vary from one person to another, here are some of the main causes for bad breath:

  • Food that gets stuck on and between the teeth, collecting bacteria that produce bad smells.
  • Negligent dental care routine: Plaque is one of the main causes for bad breath, since it contains bacteria. Cavities and gingivitis are also some of the main causes of bad breath.
  • Smoking can cause constant bad breath due to the build-up residue of tar and nicotine on the tongue and teeth, as well as reduced saliva flow.
  • Some medical conditions such as respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbances or liver and kidney ailments can be the cause of bad breath as well.

The good news however is, most cases of bad breath are easy to solve, which primarily depends on eliminating the reasons for it that we have mentioned before. If you stick to a routine of brushing your teeth twice daily – don’t forget to brush your tongue too- and floss to remove food remains stuck between your teeth, bad breath should not be a problem for you. Make sure to use antibacterial toothpaste and mouthwash too. It also helps greatly to have the accumulated plaque on your teeth removed professionally at a dental clinic every 3-6 months. If you use mouthwash after meals, chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva flow, and make sure that your diet contains celery, carrots and apples – which help loosen stuck foods in your mouth, you can enjoy a fresh breath confidently throughout the day.