| Bad breath is the side effect of the action taken by | | | | This is an inflammation in the area at the back of the |
| certain bacteria that live in the mouth, the tongue | | | | mouth known as the Pharynx as usually occurs |
| and the tonsils. Everyone has an occasional problem | | | | because of a virus. |
| with this sickness which is why Americans spend | | | | This is the same area where you begin to feel a |
| more than $200 million a year on products to freshen | | | | slight "scratchiness" at the onset of a cold or flu. The |
| the breath. It may also be persistent (chronic bad | | | | bacteria involved can lead to more serious |
| breath), which is a more serious condition, affecting | | | | streptococcus, commonly known as "strep throat." |
| some 25% of the population in varying degrees. Here | | | | If it progresses it can be highly contagious and |
| are some of the causes: | | | | because it is bacterial it will produce bad breath. |
| 1) Food or beverages | | | | 7) Poor dental hygiene |
| We will discuss this in the next section. | | | | We have discussed some of the leading causes of |
| 2) Foreign body in the nose | | | | bad breath, but nothing matches poor dental hygiene |
| Do you have small children? This is a situation that | | | | as a leading cause of bad breath. |
| requires immediate treatment to prevent serious | | | | Lack of brushing, flossing and regular checkups are |
| consequences. | | | | the most important weapon for ridding oneself of |
| 3) Gum disease/Gingivitus | | | | bad breath and preventing more serious conditions |
| This is inflammation of soft tissue surrounding the | | | | from developing. |
| teeth. This condition is much more serious than a | | | | 8) Sinusitis |
| single abscess. Gingivitis is the precursor to | | | | This is an inflammation of the sinuses, with or |
| periodontitis which is the final step of gum disease | | | | without pus and can carry along with it not only bad |
| that can ultimately lead to toot loss. This will be | | | | breath but a terrible taste in the mouth. |
| discussed in depth a bit further on. | | | | 9) Tobacco smoking |
| 4) Hepatic encephalopathy | | | | Tobacco smoking encourages growth of bacteria by |
| This is a rare but possible cause as a result of liver | | | | drying the mouth. As we discussed previously, dry |
| disease. | | | | mouth is one of the leading causes of bad breath. |
| 5) Impacted tooth | | | | 10) Zenker's diverticulum |
| An impacted tooth is one that rebelliously will not | | | | This is not a "common" cause, but does exist and |
| erupt into its proper position and most often results | | | | can be very serious if not treated. It involves the |
| in infection, which we know is another cause of bad | | | | perforation of the esophageal mucous membrane and |
| breath. | | | | does cause bad breath. |
| 6) Pharyngitis | | | | |