What Are the Causes of Bad Breath?

Bad breath, or Halitosis, describes a condition most commonly characterized as noticeably unpleasant odors that are carried on the breath. Whether from an oral source or not, so-called "stinky breath" is very common, so much so that virtually every human being suffers from it to some extent throughout their lives. There is therefore a lot of community interest in how to cure bad breath and the range of bad breath remedies available.

Despite how common it is, Halitosis can have a significant and devastating personal, social and professional impact on those who actually suffer from it, or interestingly, believe they suffer from it. The latter case is known medically as halitophobia.

Most cases of unpleasant breath (probably as many as 85-90%) originate in the mouth itself, for a variety of reasons and in different degrees. Eating certain foods (such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese) is an obvious cause, but obesity, smoking, poor dental hygiene and alcohol consumption are also very common causes. Inactivity and the presence of lower levels of oxygen during prolonged periods of sleep are responsible for the appearance of stronger odors first thing in the morning... so-called "morning breath."

Breath odor may be controlled or even temporarily eliminated with eating, teeth brushing, flossing, or rinsing with commercially available mouthwash. Not surprisingly, dental hygiene is a significant contributor to longer-term solutions.

In cases of excessive or prolonged bad breath (chronic bad breath), the personal effects on self-confidence can be enormous. This is a very serious condition and can affect some 25% of the population to varying degrees. In fact, the negative effects for sufferers can even be a significant contributor to poor self-esteem and increased stress levels, sometimes leading to other medical conditions.

Understanding how to achieve fresh breath cures needs to start with at least some basic knowledge of the common factors and Halitosis causes that are involved. These include...

1. Mouth
Scientists have discovered that, of the 600 + varieties of bacteria found in the human mouth, several dozen can produce high levels of foul odors when produced in the laboratory. These odors are produced mainly in the anaerobic breakdown of proteins into individual amino acids and then detectable foul-smelling gases.

2. Tongue
The back of the tongue (posterior dorsum) is the most likely origin of mouth odor, although other parts of the mouth can also be implicated. The presence of food particles, mouth ulcers and poorly maintained teeth or dentures are obvious examples.

The tongue can of course be cleaned with a toothbrush or, better still, an ergonomically designed tongue scraper. Mints, mouth sprays, mouthwash and gum may also help to mask bad odors, however a cure for bad breath is only possible with the control or elimination of decaying food debris and tongue-born bacteria.

3. Gum Disease
Otherwise known as periodontal disease, this can also be a factor causing bad breath. Typically, the cause can be traced to bacteria prospering below the gum line (subgingival dental plaque) which manifests in a persistent foul smell.

4. Nose
Largely unappreciated by most medical laymen, another major source of bad breath is the nose. Nasal odor can be pungent, quite different from oral odor and usually caused by sinus infections or foreign material lodged in the nasal passages.

5. Tonsils
A relatively minor contributor to breath problems, putrefaction from the tonsils manifests in some 3-5% of cases. This is typically caused by the presence of small, foul smelling pieces of calcified matter in tonsillar crypts called tonsilloliths.

6. Stomach
Apart from the common temporary odors emanating from belching (or burping), the stomach is considered a rare source of bad breath by most researchers. This is because the esophagus is a closed and collapsed tube, and any continuous flow of gas or putrid matter from the stomach indicates a health problem far more serious than Halitosis.

7. Systemic Diseases
There are a few systemic or non-oral medical conditions which may cause breath problems, but these are rare in the general population.

8. Other Medical Causes
These include lower respiratory tract Infections (bronchial and lung infections), renal infections and renal failure, carcinoma, trimethylaminuria ("fish odor syndrome"), diabetes, etc. But the presence of these conditions will usually manifest in a more conclusive diagnosis, and is rarely the cause of unpleasant breath.

9. And Finally...

Do think about what you eat. It's probably obvious, but if you eat things like strong cheese, spicy meats and garlic, guess what... these types of foods, as well as alcoholic drinks and coffee (amongst others) will leave odors on your breath! In other words, no matter how fresh and healthy your mouth, teeth, gums, tongue and stomach, it's often the food you eat that is the sole or principal culprit. There is definitely good news if you want to stop bad breath. Start with a disciplined approach to dental hygiene, diet and lifestyle... perhaps add medical advice and some easily accessible bad breath home remedies... and this is one problem you can lick!