The anchovies on your pizza or the garlic in your salad may be what is causing your bad breath, and what is causing your friends and family to talk to you from the other side of the room. But your bad breath, or halitosis can be caused by several different factors.

Aside from your lunch or dinner choices, not eating can also cause bad breath. If you are on a low-carb diet, halitosis can result. When your body does not burn carbohydrates, it burns fat, which produces ketones, which can lead to bad breath. Smoking and tobacco can cause cancer, and stain your teeth. But tobacco can also cause damage your gums which can lead to halitosis.

If you don’t brush your teeth twice a day and floss your teeth before bed, food particles and bacteria will build up on your teeth and gums, and bad breath will be one of the results. Bad breath can also be caused by bacteria on your tongue, so be sure to include that when you brush. An antibacterial mouthwash can also help.

You may have halitosis as the result of another medical conditions, such as infections of your sinuses or respiratory tracts. Diabetes, and kidney and liver disease can cause bad breath. Halitosis can also be a symptom of gastritis and bronchitis.

If you are dealing with halitosis, talk to our dentist, Dr. Trista Pottenger. If you live in the Boise, Idaho, area, call 208-350-6795 to make an appointment at High Desert Dental today.