Bad breath is caused by many factors, including diet and drinking habits. If you are aware of your condition, you should always have mints or breath fresheners handy. You should also brush your teeth twice a day. Here are some common causes of bad breath.
1. Poor oral hygiene
This is the most common cause of bad breath. When you do not brush your teeth well with the right amount of toothpaste, you might develop bad breath. Food particles may remain in your mouth and they will form a sticky buildup of bacteria, known as plaque. Your tongue can also trap food and if you do not brush it well, you will have bad breath.
Caffeine found in coffee can lead to dry mouth. It reduces saliva production and that might cause an increase in odour causing bacteria present in the mouth.
This also causes dry mouth due to excessive intake of alcohol. It causes a reduction in saliva production in the mouth, which leads to odour.
4. Poor diet
A diet high in protein can cause bad breath too. Since protein takes a longer time to digest, it ends up releasing gas that is sulfurous when metabolism does not take place. Opt for more fruits and vegetables. They help prevent bad breath.
Tobacco can also cause bad breath. Cigarettes and tobacco pipes leave a foul odour in the mouth. They can also destroy the gums which will lead to gum diseases.
Dehydration causes low saliva production. Saliva keeps the mouth clean by removing food particles and when it is reduced, xerostomia happens and it leads to foul smell.