Bad Breath – What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be a major problem, especially when you’re about to snuggle with your sweetie or whisper a joke to your friend. The good news is that bad breath can often be prevented with some simple steps.

The foods eaten also are a potential cause of halitosis. Certain foods, such as garlic, onions and certain spices are frequently cited as cause for a person’s bad breath. Both vegetarians and those who eat large quantities of meat may develop bad breath due, in part, to the digestive process. Digestion begins in the mouth. Saliva has enzymes which begin the digestion process, and the type of food eaten can affect the food chemistry of the mouth. Saliva will also pick up odors from food within several hours after it has been eaten. Odors are strongest from carbohydrates – sugars, starches and cellulose, less strong from proteins, and nonexistent from fats. Bacteria in the mouth react with the decaying food and drink residue and can be the source of the foul odor.

Gum disease, most certainly, can cause bad breath, because food trapped in gum pockets can rot and ferment, which releases sulfur products, and increases tartar buildup on the teeth, which also traps bacteria that release sulfur products. Most know that smoking causes bad breath, and that heart problems eventually result from the habit, but few realize that smoking causes gum disease, and that gum disease can cause heart problems.

Bad breath is also associated with sinus infections because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor. A child with bad breath may have a foreign object lodged in his or her nose. A bean or small item stuck in the nose can cause persistent nasal discharge and a foul odor. Strep throat, tonsillitis and mononucleosis can cause bad breath until the throat infection clears. Bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections in which you cough up odorous sputum are other sources of bad breath. Canker sores may be related to bad breath, especially if they accompany periodontal disease.

Bad Breath is usually caused by the breakdown of proteins by bacteria somewhere in the mouth. Bad breath is not contagious, meaning you cannot catch it from someone else. Chronic bad breath, known as Halitosis, does not come from the stomach. The only odor that comes from the stomach is when you burp. Food eaten such as garlic and spicy foods once absorbed into the body can release odor through the lungs when you breathe.

Bad breath in the low/no-carb sect is often caused by certain chemicals that are released in the breath as the body burns fat. They are called ketones, and entering into a fat-burning state of ketosis is the hallmark of the Atkins diet. So the good news is that if your breath stinks, you’re probably doing a good job of sticking to that low-carb diet.

Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liver or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of bad breath.

Related What Causes Bad Breath Articles

Bad Breath – What Causes Bad Breath

Having bad breath can change your life for the worse, both personally and professionally. And the grim truth is people most often won’t tell you; they’ll just gossip and snicker behind your back. There’s no doubt about it – bad breath is bad news. However, there is a way to handle this issue. But the first thing you must do is discover the root cause of this problem.

The Most Common Causes of Bad Breath

Do you suffer from “morning breath”? Many people who suffer from bad breath have discovered that the morning is the worst time for them. If you’re one of these people then you wake up with a foul odor emanating from your mouth that subsides after the morning brushing of your teeth. But as the days wears on, that smell slowly crawls back into your mouth and people are once again avoiding you like you have the plague.

Occasionally the cause of bad breath could be due to what you ingest or put in your mouth. We all know what someone’s breath smells like after they’ve eaten a meal that included garlic or onions. Pungent food is a classic cause of foul breath. And so is smoking. If you just love cigars or can’t go a day without taking a puff of your favorite brand of cigarette, this will cause bad breath for sure. And let’s not forget everyone’s favorite vice – alcohol. Beverages containing alcohol are well known to cause unpleasant breath.

Masking Won’t Help in the Worst Cases

People often try to cover up their bad breath by using various fresheners. These often take the form of gums, mints and sprays. These fresheners can cover up the odor for several minutes or maybe an hour. If the smell was caused by something you ate, then this tactic might work since the foul breath is only temporary to begin with. But if the chief cause is more serious such as poor oral hygiene, the fresheners will only mask the problem and not eliminate it. The terrible breath will only return.

Chronic bad breath is known as halitosis. If your breath is bad all the time, regardless of what you eat or drink, then your problem is indeed chronic. Many times this is caused by bacteria living in your mouth. The best way to get rid of it is by careful brushing and flossing. And don’t think for a moment mouthwash can take the place of flossing. As long as food particles are left in your mouth, bacteria can act on them to decay your teeth and give you bad breath. No mouthwash in the world can “neutralize” those food particles…only flossing can remove them. When choosing toothpaste, look for those than contain baking soda and peroxide as their main ingredients.

Bad breath can be conquered, but not by ignoring the problem. First, recognize you have a problem then set out to beat it. You’ll feel confident and be more confident around people.