Halitosis or Bad Breath
At one time or another we all suffer from Bad Breath which can be as a result of something we have eaten or because of an underlying problem which can usually be easily rectified.

What causes Bad Breath?
Here are the common causes of bad breath
Foods and drinks, such as garlic, onions, cheese, orange juice, coffee and milk
Milky drinks including tea and coffee with milk.
Poor dental hygiene eventually causing gum (periodontal) conditions.

Food particles left between the teeth start to rot and smell because of the presence of mouth bacteria which feed upon them. These bacteria multiply and form a sticky film called plaque which feeds on sugars in the food we eat and produces acids which damage teeth and gums. These damaged gums then harbour even more harmful bacteria which in some cases can lead to heart problems. At the very least these bacteria give off a very offensive odour.

Smoking and tobacco use. The smell of smoking lingers on the breath and in heavy smokers the mouth develops its own particular odour. It has been proved that smoking is a major cause of gum disease because it destroys the attachment of the tooth to the jaw bone. This space then fills with food and bacterial plaque to cause gum (periodontal) disease which leads to tooth loss and sometimes serious heart problems caused by the same bacteria which have been inhabiting the space around the damaged gum.

Post nasal drip- caused by mucus secretions which normally roll down the throat, becoming stuck on the back of the tongue. Tongue bacteria break it down to yield foul smelling molecules.