What Causes Bad Breath?

If your bad breath isn't remedied by regular dental hygiene, it might mean you have a more serious problem

- Bonolo Sekudu

THERE are a lot of different products on the market promising to help you do away with halitosis, which is commonly known as bad breath. What you might not know is that these products many not necessarily work because in many cases, halitosis is a result of some of your daily habits or in some cases a medical condition you might have.

WHAT CAUSES HALITOSIS?

Jan Zonnestein and Associates based in the Western Cape say bad breath is a very common problem and there are many different causes.

“Persistent bad breath is usually caused by the smelly gases released by the bacteria that coat your teeth and gums. Little bits of food that get left between the teeth and on the tongue are likely to rot and can sometimes cause an unpleasant smell in your mouth. So, correct and regular brushing is very important to keep your breath smelling fresh,” reads their website.

Medical conditions that cause bad breath include infections in the throat, nose or lungs, sinusitis, bronchitis, diabetes or liver and kidney problems.

OTHER CAUSES OF HALITOSIS

Other causes of halitosis include foods such as coffee, garlic and onions.

Tobacco also causes its own form of bad breath. The only solution is to stop smoking. Besides making your breath smell, smoking stains your teeth, causes loss of taste and irritates the gums.