What Actually Causes Bad Breath

Let’s be honest for a second. Most of us brush our teeth not because we’re super concerned with oral health, but because we want fresh breath. However, we’ve all experienced a not-so-great smell (or taste) after a delicious meal or a particularly long night.

There are numerous factors that can cause a stinky mouth, such as smoking and the types of food you eat. Some diseases can also cause bad breath, such as diabetes, sinus infections and even some cancers. But for most of us, the stench usually stems from bacteria growing on our tongues, gums and in between teeth due to particles of food left behind. Not a lovely image to picture, we know. This means that preventing an embarrassing situation is as simple as brushing and flossing daily. Investing in a good mouthwash can help, too, as it gets rid of any bacterial buildup.

If you’ve done all this and the odor doesn’t improve, it’s time to call in the professionals to make sure something more serious isn’t going on, because no one wants bad breath, but nothing is more important than your health.