Bad breath or halitosis is almost common place. Not everyone is aware that they suffer from chronic bad breath or halitosis but it would be extremely rare if not impossible to escape an entire lifetime without having at least one episode of smelly breath.  

More than the problem itself is that friends, social and acquaintances and work colleagues would not tell you about it and you could go around for weeks or even months without realizing you have a case of chronic bad breath and before doing anything about it.

So what causes bad breath? It is comparatively easy to keep the matter under control with a basic understanding once you understand what causes bad breath.

Onions and garlic are common examples of foods with such strong odors that they can remain on your breath hours after eating them. Alcohol and cigarette smoking also remain on your breath for many hours and need something quite strong like a mint, mouth freshener or other bad breath products to remove them even if only for a short time.  

These bad breath products offer only temporary relief. Before you know it traces find their way into your breath once the ingredients have been digested and flow into the blood stream. Most people avoid excessive use as much as possible; so eating garlic prawns on a first, second or even third date is not a wise move if you want to get closer as the date ends.

So what else, apart from food causes bad breath? Tiny food particles left in the mouth are another common cause of bad breath or halitosis. These tiny particles rot in the mouth, particularly if they get stuck between your teeth or under the gum line.

Any kind of bacteria left to fester in your mouth could cause bad breath.

Finally, some medical conditions such as ketosis or diabetes may be responsible for a foul smell on one’s breath.

Simple Solutions to the Question: What Causes Bad Breath?

Regular brushing with a toothbrush and good toothpaste like baking soda toothpaste and flossing will definitely help to either get rid of bad breath or at least keep it under control.

But if this doesn’t do the trick then it’s best to consult a dentist and doctor to uncover the primary reason in each separate case.

A regular dental check-up should uncover whether any aspect of oral health that might be responsible for any lingering mouth odors and if this doesn’t work them a doctor can order blood tests to establish what is causing your smelly breath.

Your halitosis could be a result of a potentially serious condition, so medical advice is a good idea.

But don’t wait until you get a dental or a doctor’s appointment to take safe action on your own. It’s unlikely that you don’t have a toothbrush and toothpaste but do you use them after every meal and do you use them properly?

If you don’t use them properly, start now. Take care of your oral hygiene and your bad breath might surprise you and disappear.

Regular brushing and flossing may sound like advice for children but you’d be surprised how many adults forget to do this simple routine every day!

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