Bad breath can be embarrassing for some – harming their self-confidence and social life. And it isn’t uncommon. In fact, 1 in 4 people globally are affected. Fortunately, it is treatable, and understanding the causes can help you seek a suitable treatment.

1. Poor dental hygiene

Poor dental hygiene is the most common cause of halitosis. The main reason for bad breath is the development of sulphur-producing bacteria which lives in the throat and on the surface of the tongue. If you don’t regularly brush and floss, food particles will stay in your mouth. They will then break down by bacteria which subsequently produces sulphur compounds, causing bad breath.

2. Dry mouth

Not producing enough saliva will cause a dry mouth. This is due to your saliva helping clean your mouth by removing the particles which cause a bad odour.

3. Smoking

The tobacco in cigarettes will cause an unpleasant mouth odour. In addition, smoking increases your likelihood of gum diseases which are another cause of bad breath.

4. Periodontal disease

Periodontal disease is caused by not removing plaque from your teeth. The plaque will gradually harden into tartar which creates pockets between the teeth and gums, collecting food which causes a bad odour.

5. Medications

Many medications (such as antihistamines, amphetamines, antidepressants, diuretics and decongestants) are connected to bad breath as they dry out your mouth. As previously mentioned, having a dry mouth may lead to bad breath.

We understand that halitosis can be stressful, so if you have any concerns book an appointment at Dentiplex today and our dentists can recommend a suitable treatment for you.