It is very common for us to feel uncomfortable when we notice someone has bad breath, or even when we realize we have this problem ourselves. The first thing that usually comes to mind is that the person lacks hygiene, but it’s important to know that this problem isn’t always directly related to hygiene habits and can’t always be resolved overnight. To help you better understand this issue, in today’s text we’ll talk about the main causes of bad breath, as well as its treatments. Want to better understand how to deal with this problem? Read until the end and find out!
What is Bad Breath?
Bad breath can be defined as an unpleasant smell that comes from a person’s mouth, which can be stronger or weaker, and sometimes even unnoticeable to the person who has it. The causes of bad breath are varied, ranging from simple daily habits to more serious diseases that require greater attention. Halitosis, for example, is a condition that causes people to have bad breath, although not every case of bad breath means halitosis. This problem is diagnosed when a person has persistent bad breath, usually along with a substance called tongue coating, which contains bacteria, sloughed mouth cells, and minute food debris that form a white layer on the tongue, producing the unpleasant smell.
Causes of Bad Breath
As we mentioned earlier, the causes of bad breath can be quite varied, so it’s important to investigate them to understand what is at the root of the problem. We’ve listed some of the main causes here, which are:
- Dry Mouth
- Dental Problems
- Food Particles
- Medical Conditions
- Smoking
- Use of Medications
Let’s talk a little bit more in-depth about how each one can contribute to bad breath.
Dry Mouth
When the mouth loses moisture for too long, it can quickly encourage bacteria to gather. This can vary from person to person, since some people produce more saliva than others. Also, sleeping with your mouth open often leads to a drier mouth. Either way, it’s always important to keep your mouth hydrated.
Dental Problems
Cavities and gum infections and oral infections are some of the main causes of bad breath and halitosis, especially when these problems aren’t treated properly. That’s why it’s important to maintain good oral hygiene to keep these issues from emerging.
Food Particles
When someone doesn’t brush their teeth properly or doesn’t use dental floss, it’s common for bits of food to accumulate. Not only do these particles cause bad odor because digestion already starts in our mouth, but they also attract bacteria that help worsen bad breath.
Medical Conditions
Certain diseases can cause bad breath, such as lung diseases, esophageal problems and even some types of cancer. In these cases, the most important thing to do is treat the disease itself, as bad breath is simply a side effect of a bigger health problem.
Smoking
Excessive or long-term cigarette use causes smokers to develop bad breath that is often persistent. In this case, the solution is to quit smoking, which not only gets rid of bad breath, but also brings a range of other health benefits.
Use of Medications
Depending on the type of medication a person uses, these can cause them to develop bad breath. If that’s your situation, you should never stop taking your medication without consulting your doctor. Talk to your doctor to learn about the best alternatives and to prevent this problem from affecting you. 
Treatments for Bad Breath
The treatments for bad breath, just like its causes, can be varied and will depend on what’s causing the condition. So, here are some of the main ways to deal with bad breath. They are:
- Better Oral Hygiene
- Treating the Root Cause
- Healthier Lifestyle Habits
We’ll also discuss each one separately.
Better Oral Hygiene
The main way to fight bad breath is actually quite simple. Just maintain good oral hygiene by brushing your teeth several times per day, using dental floss, and also mouthwash. Additionally, visiting a dentist at least every 6 months is also important to avoid any other potential problems with your teeth.
Treating the Root Cause
As mentioned earlier, bad breath is often caused by other diseases. Since it is a side effect, once these diseases are cured, the bad breath tends to disappear as well. Treating these illnesses should be your priority, as many of them can pose a significant risk to your health.
Healthier Lifestyle Habits
A healthier diet certainly helps to reduce the bad smell caused by some foods. In addition, when a person maintains better lifestyle habits, such as regular physical activity and not consuming alcohol, tobacco, or illicit drugs, their chances of developing an illness that could cause bad breath are lower.
Possible Consequences
Bad breath generally doesn’t cause serious health consequences, but it can be a big obstacle to relationships with others, since the bad smell is usually unpleasant and can leave a poor impression of you. This can extend into professional, academic, as well as more personal and intimate settings, which can lead some people to feel lonely and excluded. For this reason, taking care of bad breath also helps ensure you won’t have this kind of problem. As you can see, even though bad breath is often a health issue, it is also related to social matters, which makes many people feel embarrassed to seek treatment—potentially making the condition worse. The main recommendation, therefore, is to see a doctor or a dentist so you can investigate the causes of bad breath and treat them the right way. That way, you prevent other types of problems from arising, and you also gain social relief. It’s not just about appearance—when something concerns your health, it needs to be taken seriously.
