It would be very awkward to open your mouth while worrying about bad breath, especially if you need to talk to a friend or a co-worker in a closed space like an elevator. You may not be alone, as there are a number of factors that can cause it.  

The food that one eats is one of the most common reasons for bad breath. While there are tasty foods that smell really good, getting food particles trapped in your mouth can emit the bad odor. A food that has volatile oils is another bad breath producer. Some examples of these are garlic and onions. While these foods are broken down in the stomach, the volatile oils are carried by the bloodstream. When they reach the lungs, they stay there and the odor pours out with each exhalation; this process continues until the food is completely flushed out of our system. Garlic, onions, and other volatile-oil-rich foods will give you bad breath for up to three days since ingesting the foods.    

Other causes of bad breath lie in your dental health. Not brushing or flossing after every meal will leave food particles in your mouth and teeth where they will be approached by bacteria – the final result is hydrogen sulfide vapors. Good breath isn’t the only thing on the line with dental hygiene, but overall health of your mouth too. Plaque attacks the gums, resulting to bleeding, otherwise known as gingivitis. Tooth decay is another result from plaque. Bacteria can also come from dentures that aren’t cleaned regularly, and those that do not fit properly – causing more bad breath.  

Besides food type, bad breath is commonly caused by dry mouth. Your mouth is kept moist most of the day by saliva. Your cheeks, gums, and tongue will start collecting dead cells when your mouth is dry. When these dead cells start decomposing in your mouth, you get bad breath. Take morning breath for example; your mouth dries up while you’re sleeping, and results to that awful morning breath.

Bad breath is also commonly caused by mucus-related infections. When sinuses discharge mucus to the back of the throat, they start giving off a smell. Besides sinus infections, bronchitis and upper respiratory infections that provoke mucus discharges can cause bad breath for you. While we are not to be blamed for the bad breath caused by infection, we can be blamed for the infection that caused the bad breath. Smoking causes all kinds of complications for the respiratory system. It causes two things for promoting bad breath: It fries your mouth, and gives you periodontal disease. Going on a diet also causes ketoacidosis. During a diet, chemicals breakdown to give that fruity smell that no one appreciates.  

Whatever cause of bad breath you have, the fact remains that there will be discomfort felt by you and whoever you are talking to in close proximity. Changing habits can be enough to cure bad breath, provided that the cause has been identified. Habitual changes can be as simple as carrying a toothbrush and toothpaste if you’ll be having lunch at work; alternatively, you can bring a mouthwash or breath freshener. If you clearly have dental problems, then it’s best to go to the dentist.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/dental-care-articles/common-causes-of-bad-breath-2226782.html

About the Author

Dorothy J. Nichols is a health enthusiast like millions of others suffers from bad breath. Feeling the embarrassment and social isolation from her condition has led her to developing both traditional and conventional remedies for halitosis. You can read more about her bad breath remedies at http://www.forgetbadbreath.com.