Some oral problems aren't cosmetic, yet they have the potential to kill your confidence and lower your self-esteem. Halitosis is one such problem. Don't let the lingo scare you – halitosis is simply the medical term for bad breath.  

Though there are a number of potential causes of foul breath, the vast majority stem from the oral health statuses and diets of affected individuals. That said, here's a lowdown on three reasons you may experience bad breath and what to do to combat the problem.

1. You're not taking proper care of your mouth

Practising good oral hygiene habits like daily brushing and flossing is vital for ensuring good oral health. Regular brushing and flossing helps remove bacteria-carrying plaque that forms in the mouth, with constant supply of food. If the plaque isn't removed regularly, the bacteria it carries can lead to oral infections and disease, but also leave you with unpleasant breath. 

Don't be too busy to brush and floss your teeth as recommended by your dentist. If possible, rinse your mouth with anti-bacterial mouthwash to take care of bacteria that may still be lingering around.

2. You're eating foods that make your breath smell bad

Do you know that the foods you eat may cause or worsen bad breath? Food flavours like onions, ginger and garlic have a strong taste and pungent odour. The strong taste of these flavours may linger on your taste buds for a while, and you'll have a noticeably unpleasant smell. 

Avoiding flavour-heavy meals can help you prevent bad breath.

3. You have a dry mouth

This is another common culprit behind awful breath. It comes about when there isn't enough saliva in the mouth. A lack of sufficient saliva means the mouth won't make the most of saliva's natural cleansing effects, increasing the potential for bacterial build-up in the mouth. An increase in the amount of bacteria triggers bad breath. 

Fortunately, there are ways to treat a dry mouth. Some common treatment options include using saliva substitutes, improving oral hygiene and making dietary changes. A dry mouth may be a sign of underlying dental problems, so it's important to see a dentist to find out what might be causing the problem. Certain habits like tobacco smoking tobacco can exacerbate the problem, so it may be best to quit them.

If you're experiencing signs of bad breath, it's always best to see a dental office like Straightsmiles. They'll examine you and get to the root cause of the problem.