Causes

• Poor dental hygiene. Although there are dozens of possible causes of bad breath, the most common is poor dental hygiene. Without proper brushing and flossing, food particles and plaque build up on the teeth, gums, and tongue, as well as on dentures or other orthodontic appliances. Bacteria begin to grow and produce bad mouth odors.
• Smoking. Smoking is another leading cause of bad breath. Tar and nicotine residues coat the teeth, tongue, and inside of the mouth and lungs, making breath especially smelly.
• Health conditions. Bad breath can also be caused by tonsillitis, pneumonia, mouth sores, sinus infections, and even the common cold. Stomach problems such as heartburn can produce bad breath, and so can certain medications.
• Diet. Eating garlic, onions, cabbage, or hot and spicy foods and drinking alcohol can cause bad breath for a day or so after consumption. Foods high in milk and butterfat are also culprits. Hunger can also contribute to bad breath. Chewing leads to the flow of saliva, which decreases bad breath.
• Dry mouth. Bad breath can be caused by dry mouth related to sleeping with your mouth open (morning mouth), talking for long periods, breathing through your mouth, and some medications or medical conditions.
• Age. Even with good oral hygiene, the breath of older people may not be as pleasant due to changes in the glands that produce saliva.

Self-Care

Bad breath can generally be managed with self-care. However, it can be a sign of underlying health problems. If self-care is not helpful, call your dentist.

• The best way to fix a bad breath problem is to brush up on your dental hygiene. Brush your teeth twice a day and floss daily. See your dentist for an exam and cleaning twice a year.
• If your gums bleed when you floss or brush, you may have gum disease (gingivitis), which can cause bad breath. If the condition doesn’t improve after 3 weeks of careful dental hygiene, see your dentist.
• Brush the top of your tongue with a soft toothbrush. The tongue, especially far in the back as it goes down your throat, can have bacteria that cause bad breath. Studies have shown that people who brush the top and back surface of their tongue, as well as their teeth, have better breath than people who brush only their teeth.
• If you smoke, stop now. It takes 2 weeks after you stop smoking before the smelly effects of tobacco are out of your system.
• Drink plenty of fluids to avoid dry mouth. Eat apples, citrus fruits, lettuce, and other raw vegetables, which cleanse the teeth. Avoid strong-smelling foods, such as onions, garlic, and cabbage, and hot and spicy foods.
• Parsley is a natural breath freshener. Mouthwashes, breath mints, and sprays may mask the odor of bad breath temporarily, but they don’t get at the source of the problem. Avoid sugary breath mints, which can make bad breath worse. (Bacteria thrive on sugar and can cause dental cavities.)
• Clean dentures and removable braces every night as directed by your dentist.
• Use saliva substitutes for dry mouth caused by health conditions or medications.
• Don’t skip meals. Chewing foods promotes salivary flow and a detergent action that decreases mouth odor.