Nobody like to think about bad breath, but we do. A trip down the drug store or grocery store aisle reveals numerous brands of toothpastes, toothbrushes, mouthwashes, flosses and other products to help us keep our mouths clean and fresh.

Keeping the mouth clean is something we have control over and it definitely helps. Some cases of bad breath are a result of a medical condition and are a sign that a trip to the medical doctor is in order. Following are the causes of bad breath, from the Mayo Clinic website.

1. Food: Food particles caught in and around teeth can cause a foul odor. Certain foods contain volatile oil that is a source of bad breath. The best known examples of bad breath giving food are onions and garlic. After these foods are digested and the pungent oils are absorbed into the bloodstream, the odors are carried off into the lungs. Once they are in the lungs, the odors form the pungent foods is exhaled in the breath until the food is eliminated from the body.

2. Dental problems: Bad breath can be caused by poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease. Brush and floss daily to eliminate food particles. Food and bacteria left on the teeth form a sticky film of bacteria, called plaque, on the teeth. Plaque pockets can form worsening the problems.

3. Dry Mouth. A dry mouth lets dead cells to accumulate on the tongue, bums and cheeks. Saliva helps to cleans and moisten the mouth. Dry mouth occurs during sleep and is what causes “morning mouth”

4. Diseases: Chronic infections and abscesses in the lungs can produce foul smelling breath. Certain diseases can cause distinctive breath odors. Kidney failure is associated with a urine-like odor. Liver failure causes a fishy smell. Diabetes causes a fruity odor.

5. Mouth, nose and throat condition: Sinus infections cause nasal discharge to collect int eh back of the throat. This discharge can cause mouth odor. Illnesses such as strep throat, tonsillitis, bronchitis and mononucleosis can cause bad breath.

6. Tobacco products. Smoking dries the mouth out, causing an unpleasant odor. Tobacco smokers are more likely to get periodontal disease, which is another source of bad breath.

7. Severe dieting. Dieters can develop a “fruity” breath form ketoacidosis, which is the breakdown of chemical

Usually bad breath can be prevented or improved with good self care, using good dental hygiene. A dental hygienist can give yo a good cleaning and instruct you on the proper brushing and flossing techniques. If good hygiene and dental care doesn’t help, it may be time to visit the doctor to find out if there is an underlying medical condition causing the bad breath.

Self care includes:

Brush teeth after every meal with a soft bristle toothbrush.

Floss at least once a day.

Brush your tongue to remove dead cells and bacteria.

Clean dentures well.

Drink plenty of water to keep the mouth moist

Change toothbrush frequently

Schedule regular dental checkups

When dental care does not cure bad breath, consult your physician.