Abolishing the Problem of Bad Breath Halitosis, commonly know as
bad breath is an unpleasant odor that can strike periodically or
be persistent, depending on the cause. The primary cause is the
millions of bacteria that live in the mouth, particularly on the
back of the tongue. Your mouth is warm and moist, the ideal
environment to grow. However, most bad breath is caused by
something in the mouth. 'Morning mouth" and other types of bad
breath are considered to be fairly normal, and they usually are
not health concerns. The "morning mouth" occurs when the saliva
that regularly washes away decaying food and odors during the
daytime diminishes at night while you sleep. Your mouth becomes
dry, and dead cells adhere to your tongue and to the inside of
your cheeks. Bacteria use these cells for food and expel
compounds that have a foul odor. Other types of bad breath can
be caused by the following: Poor dental hygiene — Infrequent or
improper brushing and flossing can leave food particles to decay
inside the mouth.