Bad breath (halitosis) can be embarrassing and may cause anxiety. It's no wonder store shelves are overflowing with gum, mints, mouthwashes and other products designed to combat this condition. But many of these products are mere temporary measures.
Certain foods, health conditions and habits are among the causes of bad breath. In many cases, you can improve bad breath with proper dental hygiene. If simple self-care techniques don't solve the problem, you may want to see your dentist or doctor to be sure a more serious condition isn't causing your bad breath.
Symptoms of Bad Breath
Bad breath odors vary depending on the source or the underlying cause of the bad breath. Because it's difficult to rate your own breath, many people worry excessively about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor. Others have bad breath and don't know it. Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions.Causes of Bad Breath
Most bad breath originates in your mouth. The causes of bad breath are numerous. They include:
Food. The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can cause a foul odor. Eating foods containing certain oils is another source of bad breath. Onions and garlic are the best-known examples, but other vegetables and spices also can cause bad breath. After these foods are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they're carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the foods are eliminated from your body.
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