Halitosis, or more commonly known as bad breath can sometimes be an embarrassing topic for people to discuss, and some of the time won’t even know that it’s a problem!

This issue doesn’t just affect the breath though, some people find that along with bad breath they can experience thick saliva, a coating on the tongue or even taste changes. If you have bad breath, read on to find out some the most common causes and what you can do to solve it.

There can be many causes that lead to a person having bad breath, with the most common including:

•  Foods – Certain foods and drinks such as garlic, onions, coffee and alcohol can all contribute to bad breath. Coffee and alcohol in particular create an environment where bacteria in the mouth can thrive. This is due to these substances having a drying effect, which can reduce saliva flow and allows foul smelling bacteria to hang around longer.
• Dry Mouth – Having a dry mouth can also cause bad breath, as stated previously having a dry mouth encourages bacteria to grow!
• Dental Infections – Infections such as gum disease, abscesses, and tooth decay can all lead to bad breath.
• Medications and Medical Conditions – Some medications and conditions can have an impact on oral health. Many medications can also cause dry mouth or bad breath, with conditions that affect the mouth including Diabetes, acid reflux, tonsillitis and stomach issues.
• Poor Oral Hygiene – Having a poor oral hygiene routine is a sure way to increase the chances of having bad breath. Not brushing or flossing regularly means that bacteria can build up in the mouth, which not only causes bad breath but can increase the likelihood of other dental problems such as decay or gum disease.

Some of the solutions for causes above of bad breath can be easily fixed, for example, after eating pungent foods making sure that you’re brushing, flossing and using a fluoridated mouthwash. Another simple fix could be to eat those types of foods less often. If you notice any of the other causes or symptoms listed above, it’s a good idea to speak to your dentist to rule out any serious causes and to fix the pungent problem for good!