Common Causes of Bad Breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis can be a very embarrassing and annoying problem for most people. There can be several reasons for bad breath like cavities, poor oral hygiene, throat infection, certain foods, lung infection, alcohol, smoking and dentures. It is important to find the cause before you look for a proper treatment. Some of the causes for bad breath are listed out.

Infection in throat

A throat infection especially by streptococcus bacteria tends to cause bad breath. If you have persistent bad breath accompanied by a sore throat you should get yourself checked for a possible throat infection.

Stomach problems

Stomach problems like acid reflux and indigestion can lead to bad breath. They lead to an imbalance between good and bad bacteria and this could be the reason for bad breath.

Accumulation of food particles in between the teeth

Accumulation of food particles in between the teeth and on the tongue leads to bacterial growth. These bacteria which are anaerobic release respiratory substances that could be causing the bad breath.

Tooth decay

The decay of tooth which leads to cavities by bacteria can cause bad breath most of the times. It leads to rotting of the teeth which is cause by the bacteria.

Gum diseases

Gum diseases and periodontal diseases lead to bad breath as they can lead to bacterial growth or bleeding.

Chewing tobacco and smoking

Accumulation of nicotine, tar and other substances on the teeth can cause bad breath. This is also called as the smoker’s breath and is a serious problem that could lead to bigger dental diseases.

Consumption of raw onion and garlic

Raw onion and garlic when consumed, leave sulfuric compounds in our mouth. Not only this, they lead to bad breath by actually helping the bacteria in our mouth grow.

Natural Remedies for Bad Breath

• Add a tablespoon each of sugar and salt and a few drops of lemon juice to a glass of water. Drink it very often.
• Try to chew some cardamom seeds to get rid of bad breath. Aromatic flavor in these seeds acts like a breath freshener. This is the most effective remedy for halitosis.
• Tea prepared from fenugreek leaves is very beneficial for treating bad breath.
• Parsley is another good neutralizer. Leaves of parsley are a good source of chlorophyll. Chewing some parsley leaves is yet another good remedy for bad breath.
• Clean your tongue whenever you brush your teeth.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Good oral hygiene should be maintained by brushing your teeth frequently, especially after every meal.
• Chew sunflower leaves after having meals. They are known to be an effective remedy for bad breath.
• Gargling with baking soda is also known to give relief from bad breath.