Bad breath or halitosis is not always because of poor maintenance of oral hygiene. Poor gastrointestinal health could also be a reason. Here are the reasons why you may have bad breath.
Dry mouth or Xerostomia – Dry mouth is a perfect environment for bacteria to flourish. This is because there is inadequate saliva (a natural mouthwash that cleanses and dilutes bacteria in the mouth). Consumption of alcohol, tobacco, drugs including antidepressants and decongestants, dietary supplements, laxatives, use of alcohol based mouthwashes, and salivary gland disorders are responsible for dry mouth.
Smoking – Apart from causing dry mouth, the tar and nicotine in cigarette smoke coat the teeth, tongue and mouth, causing ‘smoker’s breath’.
Poor oral hygiene – Improper brushing techniques and insufficient rinsing lead to food particles getting trapped in your mouth, which in turn result in plaques and tartar on the teeth, causing bad breath.
Dental problems – Bacteria erode tooth enamel, causing cavities. These can ultimately lead to gingivitis (inflammation of the gums) and periodontitis (inflammation of tissues around the teeth).
Regular consumption of tobacco in the form of zarda, gutka, khaini may lead to oral cancer, another cause of bad breath.
Food items – Pungent foods such as fish, radish, onions, garlic, or strong cheese can cause bad breath. Also, sugary foods, and foods that stimulate acid production such as coffee, alcohol, spicy foods, tomatoes and citrus fruits can contribute to it.
Conditions and diseases - Bad breath can be a symptom of medical problems such as cold, cough, sinusitis, tonsillitis, liver and kidney diseases, diabetes, blood disorders, gall bladder dysfunction, carcinomas or menstruation. What it means is odour does not always originate in the mouth.
Bad breath or halitosis is not always because of poor maintenance of oral hygiene. Poor gastrointestinal health could also be a reason. Here are the reasons why you may have bad breath.