What are the most common causes?
- insufficient oral hygiene
- decomposing food residues
- by-products of dental plaque (such as ammonia and hydrogen sulfide)
- tooth decay or inflammation in the oral cavity
In most cases, unpleasant bad breath originates directly in the oral cavity. It is most often caused by insufficient oral hygiene and the presence of bacteria that break down food debris.
Other possible causes may include uncleaned dental prosthetics, fistulas with pus discharge or smoking. In some cases, bad breath may also be associated with systemic conditions, such as diabetes or diseases of the oesophagus and stomach.
For successful treatment of bad breath, it is always important to identify the real cause, remove harmful factors and choose appropriate methods to minimise or completely eliminate the problem.