Find Out The Cause Of Bad Breath And How To Prevent It From Getting Out Of Hand

It's not harmful per say and it's hardly a matter of life and death but bad breath can cause quite a crimp in your social life if you're not careful. But what is the cause of bad breath? Well the majority of bad breath problems begin in the mouth.

Bad breath that is of mouth origin can be traced to a sulfur compound produced by bacteria. Dead and dying bacterial cells release this sulfur compound, which gives the breath a bad odor. Bacterial plaque, debris and food waste accumulate on the back of the tongue.

The tongue's surface is extremely rough and bacteria can reside easily in the cracks and crevices. And because large amounts of sulfur compounds can be produced in this area, it's often the site of origin for bad breath. Your teeth aren't entirely innocent either as they can attract bacteria. They can contain plaque, debris and if not cleaned regularly and thoroughly, this can result in large accumulations of bacteria which result in bad breath.

Other common causes of bad breath are:

• Sinus or respiratory infections
• Diabetes related acetone smell
• Fishy odor in case of kidney disease
• Liver problems
• Digestive disorders
• Dieting and fasting related foul odors

Now that you know the cause of bad breath, it's time to do something about it. Of course there are different types of bad breath cures but why cure it when you can prevent it?

Tips on preventing and treating bad breath are as follows:

• Practice good dental care. Brush your teeth and your tongue where bad breath-causing bacteria reside.
• Avoid mouthwashes with high amounts of alcohol. Alcohol dries the mucous membranes of the mouth
• Drink water for moist mouth. Chew gum or suck on candy. Sugarless is best.
• Drink tea. A substance in tea may prevent the growth of bacteria. Polyphenols, chemical components of tea, prevent both the growth of bacteria responsible for bad breath and the bacteria's production of malodorous compounds.
• Eat cranberries. Cranberries may be able to eliminate the offensive-smelling bacteria that can build up in your mouth and lead to bad breath. Apparently, the tart berries make the bacteria less sticky, so plaque is less likely to form.
• If you have dentures, clean them at least once a day or as directed by your dentist.
• Stop smoking. Smoking dries the mouth, encouraging the growth of the bacteria that causes bad breath.

Cause Of Bad Breath