Most people wake up in the morning with less than kissable breath. But when bad breath, also known as halitosis, interferes with your confidence and social life, it's time to figure out what's causing it. Do cavities cause bad breath? And is your oral care routine strong enough to keep bad breath away? Here's what may be causing your bad breath and how you can remedy it.
Bad breath results from bacteria accumulation in the mouth. A research study published in the Indian Journal of Dental Research points out that causes of oral malodour can be local or systemic. Dry mouth and accumulation of plaque due to inadequate oral hygiene are the most common causes for the increased bacterial load. The microbes act on sulphur-containing proteinaceous substrates present in debris and plaque and produce volatile sulphur compounds which cause the malodour. The sulphur compounds are what we smell when we realise it's time to grab a mint.
The National Health Portal of India notes that bad breath or Halitosis (oral malodour) is an unpleasant odour of the mouth. It is a common complaint for both genders and for all age groups. Mild transient bad breath which often arises after sleep is common and generally not regarded as halitosis. It is termed as “morning halitosis.” Halitosis has numerous causes and origins.
- Poor Oral hygiene: Sometimes it may be a consequence of lifestyle. If you don't brush and floss daily, food particles accumulate in between your teeth and on tongue; bacteria grow on the food left in your mouth and leave foul-smelling waste products (volatile sulphur compounds) behind, which lead to bad breath. Lack of regular tongue cleaning, may be a cause of bad breath despite proper brushing and flossing.
- Dietary Habits: Intake of certain foods and drinks such as onion, garlic, spices etc. and certain habits such as smoking, using tobacco products, drinking alcohol cause halitosis. Fasting or starvation can also cause bad breath.