What are the Causes of Bad Breath?

Bad breath or halitosis is a condition estimated to affect 50 to 60% of the population¹ Up to 90% of cases originate from sources in the mouth, including poor oral hygiene, periodontal disease, tooth decay, coating on the tongue, impacted food, dry mouth, faulty dental restorations, and throat infections². The other 10% are due to systemic disorders, such as lung infections, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, or peptic ulcers³.

In most cases, bad breath can be traced to sulfur gases (hydrogen
sulfide and methyl mercaptan) produced by bacteria in the mouth⁴. These gases are damaging to the tissues in the mouth and are a sign of periodontal disease⁵. As periodontal disease progresses, so does the halitosis, as bacteria accumulate in the gum pockets around the teeth.

Eliminating periodontal disease and maintaining good oral hygiene is essential to controlling bad breath. Brushing and flossing daily will not only remove trapped food particles that begin to rot if left in the mouth, but they also reduce the sulfide gas forming bacteria responsible for periodontal disease. Scraping or brushing the tongue will also aid in controlling bad breath.

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