What causes bad breath?

Bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect a person’s social life. There are different causes that can be considered, and 50% of adults have had bad breath at some point in their lives (ADA, 2024). Bad breath often originates from the oral cavity. Your mouth is an ideal location for bacterial growth, with the most common places being your tongue and your gums between your teeth.

What causes bad breath?

• Cavities
• Gum disease
• Bacteria on the tongue
• Infections in the mouth
• Medications that cause dry mouth
• Disorders that cause dry mouth related to reduced saliva production like diabetes or sjogren’s syndrome.
• Non-oral causes of bad breath are linked to many different body systems. It could also be related to infections in the ear, nose, or throat.
• Other causes of bad breath are often temporary. These may include strong flavored food, drinks such as coffee or alcohol, or tobacco products.

Treatment of bad breath. If you have chronic bad breath, visit your dental professional to get a proper diagnosis. Improving your oral hygiene by brushing, cleaning between the teeth, cleaning your tongue, and using mouth wash can decrease your risk of having bad breath when it is related to an oral cause.  

Bacteria that thrive on the top surface of the tongue can be removed by using the TePe GOOD™ Tongue Cleaner. The design corresponds to the natural shape of the tongue and the 3 blades give it a triple effect with one stroke.

More information: Bad Breath | MouthHealthy - Oral Health Information from the ADA