Many people don’t realize that they have bad breath until they’ve been told. Some people go through life not knowing because their loved ones don’t want to hurt their feelings by telling them the truth. However, let me tell you, it is always better to tell your friends or family if they are suffering from bad breath. Why? Because bad breath tends to scare people away, including potential employers and clients. Also, bad breath can be a symptom of an underlying health issue. In this post, I’ll go through some leading causes of bad breath and, hopefully, suggest some cures that will work for you.

COFFEE
I can’t stress enough that coffee is not a meal substitute. Coffee is one of the leading causes of bad breath in our society because most people, like me, are addicted to the sweet aromatic caffeine rush that helps them get through the day. However, what most people forget is that coffee causes stale breath and tooth stains. I know many people drink coffee in the morning and nothing else all day. Their breath is kicking within an hour or two, whenever they forget to brush. It is important to remember to brush your teeth 30 minutes after you drink coffee. It will help with your case of bad breath, which will only get worse if you don’t freshen your mouth. If you don’t have time to brush, mask it with a mint or rinse.

FOOD
Bile can cause a foul odor in your mouth after meals. During digestion your body will release acid to breakdown food particles in your small intestine, which can rise into your mouth especially if you don’t digest correctly evident through burping. Another way food can cause bad breath is through being trapped in between your teeth and can potentially lead to teeth stain, plaque, and cavity. To fix bad breath by food, brush your teeth after meals and don’t forget your tongue either.

TOOTH DECAY
Rotting teeth can cause serious bad breath as well as health problems. This is because tooth decay develops toxins that can seep into the body’s system and cause inflammations that can possibly lead to other health issues. Food particles can get stuck in a rotting tooth and, as stated above, can cause bad breath. If any of your teeth hurt, go see a dentist. A dentist will ultimately determine if you have a rotting tooth and will suggest the best method of treating it. Fixing a decaying tooth will cure your bad breath, if that is the cause of your bad breath.

DRY MOUTH
Dry mouth contributes to bad breath because the production of saliva decreased. Saliva helps clean your mouth by washing away food particles and bacteria that cause bad odors. Luckily for us, dry mouth usually occurs during sleep,

which will lead to morning breath. However, if you find yourself waking up to morning breath make sure you’re sleeping correctly with your mouth closed.

SMOKING & DRINKING
To state the obvious, smoking and drinking will cause bad breath. This is because the alcohol is similar to the bile realized in our body and the nicotine will dry out your mouth. I know it’s hard to kick a habit, but if you want to cure your bad breath, eliminate smoking and drinking in your lifestyle.