Halitosis simply means bad breath, a problem that many people experience at one time or another. It is estimated that 40% of us suffers from chronic halitosis at some time.

What cause bad breath?

1. Poor oral hygiene

The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene.

Bacteria that build up on your teeth, tongue and gums combine with saliva break down food particles releasing an unpleasant-smelling gas.

2. Food and drink

Eating onions or garlic and drinking coffee is likely to cause bad breath.

3. Smoking

Cigarettes cause bad breath by leaving smoke particles in your throat and lungs.

4. Crash dieting

Crash dieting, fasting and low-carbohydrate diets cause the body to break down fat, which produces chemicals called ketones that can cause bad breath.

5. Medication

Some medications can indirectly produce bad breath by contributing to a dry mouth. Others can be broken down in the body to release chemicals that can cause bad breath.

6. Medical conditions

In rare cases, bad breath can be caused by certain medical conditions for example dry mouth. A lack of saliva can cause bacteria to build up in the mouth, leading to bad breath.

Other medical conditions that can cause bad breath include:

• lung, throat or nose infections and diabetes.

 Do I have bad breath?

One way to test if you have bad breath is to cover your mouth and nose with your hand, exhale, and smell your breath.

How Can I Help Prevent Bad Breath?

• Avoiding foods that cause bad breath.
• Brushing your teeth twice a day and flossing daily to remove plaque and food particles between your teeth.
• Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper.
• Remove your dentures each night and clean them well before replacing them each morning.
• Visiting your dentist regularly for dental check ups and cleanings

If you have persistent bad breath that does not improved with brushing and flossing, see your dentist for a thorough dental examination as this could indicate a more serious problem.