What Are The Causes Of Bad Breath And Can It Be Cured?

Bad breath (also known as halitosis) is an issue that virtually every person has to deal with on a daily basis. That said, the problem is a lot more severe (chronic halitosis) among certain people where the foul breath cannot be suppressed by simply brushing one's teeth. Unpleasant breath should not be ignored and may have a significant impact on one's self confidence and interpersonal relationships. Before anyone starts to explore the various ways through which the problem can be addressed, it is important for one to understand the origins of foul breath.

Mouth
Your mouth contains more than 600 bacteria. A number of these bacteria cause the breakdown of proteins into amino acids and a subsequent breakdown of these acids to produce foul gases. It is some of these gases that are detectable and subsequently lead to unpleasant breath.

Tongue
The posterior area of the tongue hosts a host of natural bacteria. The reason for this is this area's relatively undisturbed environment. Each time you take a meal, fragments of food particles remain on this part of the tongue. The fragments coupled with nasal drip form the perfect condition for bacteria to thrive. As these bacteria respire, they produce various pungent gases including hydrogen sulfide and dimethyl sulfide.

Nose
The nose is another major source of foul breath. Note that the nasal odor referred to here is different from oral odor. The cause of bad nasal breath is often a sign of an infection such as one affecting the sinuses.

Gum Disease
This is another instance of bacteria. There are a number of bacteria that inhabit the area right below the gum line. They thrive from the food particles that are wedged around the gum during and after meals. Even though they produce pungent gases during the process of breaking down the food fragments, opinion is still divided on whether they are significant enough to actually cause bad breath.
 
Tonsil Stones
The tonsils are generally considered a less likely cause of a bad odor. However, when they do cause repulsive breath, the problem can be traced to tonsil stones. The stones smell extremely badly when broken open and cause bad breath in about 75% of people that have tonsil stones.

Stomach
The stomach is an even more rare source of foul breath. In fact, repulsive breath originating from the stomach could be a symptom of a much more serious problem. This is because the esophagus is a closed food tract and ordinarily would not allow the flow of gas upwards and out of the stomach (save for during the one off act of belching).

Other Medical Conditions
There are several other medical conditions that can cause bad breath. They are often rare illnesses. In this case, it is important that you obtain a doctor's advice. That way, you can get the most relevant medication as far as treating the underlying cause.

In conclusion, regularly cleaning your teeth, mouth and tongue is a simple but important way to start to manage bad breath.