No matter how appealing or fashionable you are, when people smell an unpleasant odor the moment you open your mouth, they can easily be turned off. Halitosis, more commonly known as bad breath, can definitely affect a person’s day to day life, particularly in terms of communicating with others. Yet, it is very easy to treat, especially when you know what actually causes it.
What are the factors that cause bad breath?
- Xerostomia or Dry Mouth
When there is a decreased flow of saliva, the cleansing system of the mouth is also reduced. This, then, brings about the unpleasant breath odor. This case is most commonly caused by having a night’s sleep. Other causes include medicinal side effect and dehydration. It may also be an indicator of an underlying medical condition, like Sjögren’s syndrome. Radiotherapy to the neck and head part can also trigger bad breath due to xerostomia.
- Foods, Beverages and Medications
Chemical substances in the food and drinks that people consume can enter the blood vessels, and be exhaled from the respiratory system. Spicy foods, garlic, and alcoholic beverages are just some of the most popular foods and drinks that tend to leave an unpleasant smell in your mouth, which give rise to halitosis. Just like foods and drinks, a number of medicines can also cause bad breath. Some of the medicines that may cause bad breath include chloral hydrate, betel, phenothiazines, and chemotherapy medications.
- Fasting
Fasting can bring about bad breath due to the ketones, which are produced by the fat breakdown. Some of these chemicals are then exhaled with every breath. This would then cause the air coming out of your mouth to smell bad.
- Dental Hygiene
Maintaining a clean teeth and mouth does not only help keep your teeth healthy, it also promotes fresh breath. When eating, some food debris may get trapped between the teeth. Brushing and flossing is important to make sure the debris will not cause your breath to smell bad.
- Smoking
Tobacco products have the tendency to create an ashtray-like breath odor. This is why anyone can quickly detect if someone has just smoked cigarette.
- Medical Condition
In some cases, underlying medical conditions may be the culprit of the embarrassing breath. Some of these conditions are the following: sinusitis, polyp in the nose, infection in the mouth, throat, tonsils or lung area. Identify and treat the medical condition to be able to finally get rid of your bad breath.
Finding out what causes your bad breath helps you combat it by avoiding what causes it in the first place. In the event that your bad breath does not go away even after following proper dental care – visit your dentist. It may be caused by an underlying condition which may need further medical intervention.