Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath is a common problem, but it's important to ask your dentist in Oakland, CA, about the cause of your bad breath. Bad breath can be a sign of a more serious underlying problem. Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath:

Poor Dental Hygiene

When you don't practice proper oral hygiene habits, bacteria can develop. These bacteria can live in your mouth and multiply. They then secrete waste in the form of sulfur compounds, which are responsible for your bad breath.

Illness

Certain illnesses, such as diabetes, and conditions, such as dry mouth, can cause bad breath. If your body's fighting an illness, bacteria grow quickly and can lead to halitosis.

Dental Cavities

Dental cavities are a common cause of bad breath. When cavities are not treated, decay can spread to the gums, causing infection. When teeth are infected, the gum disease progresses, causing foul odors.

Family members with good dental care habits can reduce the risk of cavities. However, cavities can still occur. For this reason, regular dental checkups are very important. During your visit, your dentist will diagnose and treat cavities before they cause bad breath.

Food

There are a number of foods that can cause bad breath, including onions, garlic, and coffee. The odor is caused by sulfur compounds in the foods.

Onions and garlic can cause bad breath for up to 48 hours after eating these foods. Halitosis, or bad breath, may be caused by foods with oils in them, such as meat.

Smoking

Smoking is one of the worst offenders of causing bad breath. Many organizations or agencies, such as the CDC and American Dental Hygienists Association, recommend quitting smoking as the number one thing you can do to improve your oral and overall health.

Dry Mouth

A dry mouth (also called xerostomia) is caused when your body doesn't produce enough saliva. Saliva washes away food particles and bacteria. If there isn't enough saliva, then it can cause bad breath. 

Medications

Any medication that you take can alter the smell of your mouth, which often causes people to believe that they have bad breath. Medications can cause dry mouth, which causes bad breath. The medication itself might be causing the problem, or it could be the side effect of the medication.

To learn more about best practices for oral health, call Bay Area Dental at (510) 350-8187 or visit our dental office at 3300 Webster Street, #907, Oakland, CA 94609. Book your appointment with our dentist in Oakland, CA, to achieve the smile you have always wished for.