Bad breath, clinically known as halitosis, is a health issue that may result from poor oral hygiene, an overly indulgent diet or another medical condition. The signs of bad breath may signal potential health problems, or simply cause embarrassment and social concerns. Bad breath is often associated with several lifestyle factors, such as smoking, drinking alcohol and eating highly seasoned foods. You may not know you have bad breath unless someone is thoughtful enough to tell you or you recognize one or more signs.
Bad Taste
If you do not brush your teeth and tongue, and floss between your teeth and up to the gum line well enough and often enough, particles of decomposing food that remain in your mouth can cause bad breath. Tooth decay and gum deterioration that result from poor oral hygiene will also leave a foul taste in your mouth and cause bad breath. The same thing happens if you wear dentures, removable braces or retainers and they are not properly cleaned.
Gingivitis, or gum disease, also leaves a bad taste in your mouth, which is a sign of bad breath. Bacteria builds up in your mouth and forms a plaque on your teeth that pushes your gums away from your teeth, leaving pockets of space where food debris can collect and rot. Your gums may be swollen and red and may bleed, adding to the odorous quality of your breath.
Dry Mouth
Your mouth may become very dry if you breathe through your mouth, if you take certain types of medications, don't drink enough water or if you do not produce enough saliva due to a problem with your salivary glands. You may also notice a white coating on your tongue. If you have dry mouth, you are likely to have bad breath because your mouth cannot keep itself clean or wash away bits of food that stick to your tongue, teeth and gums and cause odor.
Diet
If your diet includes a lot of onion, garlic, spices, cheeses and cured meats, or if you regularly drink orange juice, coffee, soda or alcoholic beverages, you may have bad breath. Once these foods and drinks are broken down in the digestive process and carried through your blood to your lungs, their residual odors are exhaled in your breath. The odors remain until the food is completely eliminated from your body.
Medical Conditions
If you suffer from bronchitis, postnasal drip, sinusitis, tonsillitis or any infection of the nose or airways you may also have bad breath due to the presence of bacteria in mucus, pus and infected areas. If you have a chronic disease, you may have bad breath. People with diabetes often have a fruity odor in their breath, people with kidney disorders may have what is referred to as "urine breath" and those with metabolic disorders may have fishy smelling breath.
Social Indictors
You may not be aware of food indiscretions or medical and dental conditions that signal bad breath, but you can take cues from other people. You may notice that people pull back, look down or turn their heads away when you speak to them or attempt to move close for any reason. This is often a very clear sign of bad breath.
