Mouth odour is the persistent, unpleasant odour in exhaled breath. Bad breath which is also known as Halitosis can be caused by various things.
Bad breath can affect anyone. It is also a common problem that can cause psychological distress.
Bad breath symptoms vary depending on the cause. Among its potential causes are food, health conditions, and habits.
Causes
Food: The breakdown of food particles in and around your teeth can increase bacteria and cause a foul odour. Certain foods, such as onions, garlic, and spices, can cause bad breath. After you digest these foods, they enter your bloodstream, are carried to your lungs, and affect your breath.
Tobacco products: Smoking causes unpleasant mouth odour. Smokers and oral tobacco users are likely to have gum disease, which is also a source of bad breath.
Poor dental hygiene: Food particles remain in the mouth if you don’t floss daily. A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) forms on the teeth. If not brushed away, plaque can irritate gums and eventually form plaque-filled pockets between teeth and gums (periodontitis). The tongue can also trap bacteria that produce odours. Dentures that aren’t cleaned regularly or don’t fit properly can harbor odour-causing bacteria and food particles.
Dry mouth. Saliva helps cleanse the mouth, removing particles that cause odours. A condition called dry mouth or xerostomia can contribute to bad breath because the production of saliva is decreased. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep, leading to “morning breath,” and it worsens one sleeps with the mouth opened. Chronic dry mouth can be caused by a problem with your salivary glands and some diseases.
Mouth Infections: Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery, such as tooth removal, tooth decay, gum disease, or mouth sores.
Oral hygiene is the best treatment for most bad breath.
Brushing twice daily, preferably after every meal, brushing the tongue, using a tongue scraper. Avoid dry mouth, Diet, flossing, and cleaning dentures. These are all home remedies for killing bad breath.