What Causes Bad Breath?

Bad Breath Illustration (Shvets Productions/Pexels)

JAKARTA - Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is a mouth disorder that can cause a person to become shy and even lose their confidence in interacting with other people. Preventive measures such as chewing gum, mint candy, or gargling with mouthwash, are widely used as references, but unfortunately, they are only temporary.

The cause of bad breath actually varies, depending on the source of the odor. Launching the Mayo Clinic, Monday, November 8, most bad breath is caused by;

Food

The breakdown of food particles in and around the teeth can increase bacteria, causing bad breath. Eating certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices, can also cause bad breath. Once digested, food will enter the bloodstream, be carried to the lungs, where it affects the smell of your breath.

Tobacco products

Smoking causes bad breath. Smokers are also more likely to have gum disease, which can also be a source of bad breath.

Poor dental hygiene

If you don't brush and floss every day, food residue will remain in your mouth, causing bad breath. A colorless, sticky layer of bacteria (plaque) forms on your teeth. If not brushed off, plaque can irritate the gums and eventually form pockets filled with plaque between the teeth and gums (periodontitis). The tongue can also trap bacteria that produce odors. Dentures that are not cleaned regularly or are not installed properly can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food debris.

Dry mouth

Saliva helps clean the mouth and remove food residue that causes bad breath. Dry mouth or xerostomia can cause bad breath due to decreased saliva production. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, causes "morning breath," and gets worse if you sleep with your mouth open. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by problems with the salivary glands and some diseases.

Mouth infection

Bad breath can also be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth extraction due to decay, gum disease, or thrush.