What causes bad breath?

Whenever we eat onions or garlic cloves, our breath stinks. Sometimes even after brushing the stink remains. In some people this is a regular problem due to which they feel embarrassed to go in public places. Bad breath can also pose problem in intimate relationship. Bad breath is clinically termed as halitosis and the bad odor can be long lasting or come from time to time. Hence it is very important to stop bad and stale breath and make your mouth smell fresh and clean.

So as to get to the bottom of this whole problem it’s necessary to understand the causes.

Causes of bad breath   

• Usually morning bad breaths are not considered as problem as they are washed away the moment you brush your teeth. These are caused because in the night the mouth prepares less saliva and hence small food particles and dead cells stick into the mouth leading to bad breath. In the day time frequent formation of saliva clear of any presence of particles of dead cells and leaves your mouth smelling fresh.
• Poor dental hygiene is one of the most common causes of bad breath. Many people have habit of treating mouth washing just a regular routine thing and do not perform the task more carefully or even regularly. Regular flossing along with brushing is equally important as it washes away the tit bits of food particles hiding between the two teeth. If such particles are left in the mouth, your mouth starts emanating bad breath. Such highly poor dental hygiene can cause decay and also lead to periodontal problem which also cause bad breath.   
• A cavity or periodontal gum disease can also cause bad breath. Cavity is an infection in the teeth and should be treated from Dentist as apart from causing bad breath; if the cavity deepens it can result in pain. When left unheeded, the cavity inflicted tooth can be destroyed. 
• Apart from mouth, breath also passes through respiratory tract. The infections in respiratory tract like sinus, throat or lung infections can also cause bad breath.   
• If you are in a habit of eating sharply aromatic food items like garlic, onions, coffee, chewing tobacco or smoking then it can increase the possibility of bad breath. Some items like tea, red wine, drinking coffee and smoking can also make your teeth yellowish.
• Dry mouth which is also termed as Xerostomia in medical language can cause bad breath. Dry mouth condition can be the result of mouth breathing, salivary gland problems or even too much intake of medicines. There are many drugs and medicines that have a tendency to dry mouth due to their varying chemical content.
• Serious illnesses like diabetes, liver problem, kidney disease, sinus disease, reflux disease, lung disease and all other types of organ related grave disorders can cause bad breath.
• Some people have a misconception related to bad breath. Although they do not have bad breath problem, they think they are suffering from it. This psychiatric illness is termed as pseudohalitosis.