What Causes Halitosis (Bad Breath)?

No one enjoys having bad breath or smelling bad breath on someone else, but unfortunately, bad breath is an experience everyone will go through at least once in their life. When severe, bad breath can be quite a detriment to an individual's personal and professional life. When bad breath lingers, it is referred to as halitosis. While there are an abundant number of underlying causes for halitosis, if assistance from a dentist is sought there are many solutions to help cure the foul smell.

When trying to treat bad breath, however, it is ideal to know what caused it in the first place, so the cause can be treated, rather than just the symptom. Get the details on the major causes of bad breath now.

Food

Countless foods can leave a foul odor in the mouth. The most iconic of these are onions and garlic, though some would argue there are far worse ones out there. Even drinking certain beverages, such as alcoholic beverages or coffee can contribute to bad oral odor as such drinks can increase acidity in the body leading to dehydration and dry mouth, which is one of the leading causes of halitosis. These odors can last for several days or at least until the food or drink has processed its way through the individual's body.

Get more information on the various causes of bad breath now.