1. Dry mouth
– A dry mouth provides a perfect environment for anaerobic bacteria reproduction. Long periods of speaking, smoking, drinking alcohol, and snoring are a few common causes. Most people experience bad breath in the morning due to lack of saliva production while they sleep. For healthy individuals, food odours are temporary and normal salivary flow will eliminate them within several minutes. However, those who suffer from dry mouth and lack of saliva find that even minor food odours may lead to long-term issues.
2. Food
– Halitosis can be provoked by foods such as onions and garlic because they contain smelly sulphur compounds. While dairy, meat, and fish contain dense proteins which are used as a food source by the anaerobic, sulphur-producing bacteria. Refined and processed sugars also provide a food source for bacteria. Coffee and juices can contribute to this problem because they are acidic and provide these bacteria with an ideal breeding environment.
3. Poor Dental Hygiene
– Bad oral care causes bacterial to build up on the teeth and gums. Microorganisms attach to the teeth because they cannot shed their surfaces like skin can. If they are not removed by brushing, these bacteria develop into dental plaque. When plaque is allowed to accumulate near the gum line, it will harden and begin destroying teeth and gum tissue. This leads to gum disease, which enable proteins from bleeding gums and diseased oral tissue to fuel odour-causing bacteria. Tooth decay and poorly fitting or dirty dentures can also contribute to this problem.