Bad breath is mostly attributable to Anaerobic Sulfur Producing Bacteria, which usually reside WITHIN the surface of the tongue and in the throat. Malodorous and "lousy-tasting" sulfur compounds are released from the back of the tongue and throat when these "beneficial" microorganisms encounter proteins containing amino acids that are thick with sulfur.

The anaerobic microorganisms that cause bad breath are scientifically proven to love the amino acids Cysteine and Methionine, which are the building blocks of the proteins that are found in mucus and in dairy foods, too. You may be harboring a high quantity of bacteria if you still have your tonsils, which can lead to a fascinating and frequently misunderstood phenomenon, called tonsilloliths.

Medically called halitosis, bad breath can stem from poor oral hygiene and may be an indication of other health problems. All the food you consume essentially starts to be broken down in your mouth. Food particles can stay in your mouth if you do not brush and floss your teeth every day, and this encourages bacteria growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue.

You can control your bad breath with the mints, mouthwashes and other products found in stores designed to mask this condition. However, they do not deal with the foods, health conditions and habits that cause bad breath. You may want to see your dentist or doctor to rule out a more serious condition that may be causing your bad breath if simple self-care techniques do not solve the problem.

Your dentist or doctor can assess your medical history for health conditions that can cause bad breath and for medications that can cause dry mouth. Your dentist can do a physical check, which will include an examination of your teeth, gums, oral tissues and salivary glands. If your doctor suspects a lung infection, diabetes, kidney or liver disease or Sjogren's syndrome, there may be a need for diagnostic tests.

There are some systemic medical conditions that may cause bad breath, but these are very rare in the general population. They include:

* Liver failure
* Lower respiratory tract infections
* Renal infections and renal failure
* Carcinoma
* Diabetes
* Metabolic dysfunction

How Can You Tell if You Have Bad Breath?

Most people have heard that they cannot smell their own bad breath, but it turns out that this is not true. However, what you can smell and/or taste in your own mouth can smell five times stronger to those near you! Because of this, except for in the rare case of chronic halitosis, we are usually the last to know that there may be a problem. So what are some of the typical signs that you may have a breath problem?

Here are some of the most common symptoms:

* Presence of tonsilloliths
* Thick white coating on the back of your tongue
* Constant dry mouth
* The feeling of "smelling" bad breath through your sinuses
* Excess mucus and/or post-nasal drip
* A metallic, tinny taste

Want more information on causes of halitosis? Then visit our web site!