1. Poor dental hygiene

When food passes through your teeth, gums and tongue, bacteria stay inside your mouth unless you brush your teeth, which then causes your breath to stink. Dentists recommend brushing your teeth at least twice a day and using floss regularly. Mouthwash and gums may cover the stink but only temporarily. A regular touch of fluoride can fight bacteria that causes bad breath.

2. You may be eating a lot of sweets

Gummies and caramels are wide-known culprits. Sugar is bacteria’s favorite superfood and bacteria causes bad breath. If you really want sweets then a plain chocolate having less sugar is advised.

3. A high protein and low-carb diet

Eating more protein and less carbs force your body to undergo ketosis (burning fat cells for energy) creating waste products called ketones. Too much protein to burn lets your body excrete more ketones through peeing and through your breath. Drinking lots of water can flush these ketones away. Mouthwash and gums are okay but they’re only temporary.

4. Smoking and drinking alcohol

Hot air will also dry your mouth. Decrease in saliva, combined with tobacco’s smell makes produces a smoker’s breath. One way to solve this problem? Quit smoking.

Drinking alcohol can also dry your mouth leading to bad breath.

5. You may be snoring or a mouth breather

During sleep, saliva production is decreased. This is exactly why morning breath stinks. It dries out the mouth even more, causing bad breath. Get to the bottom of your mouth breathing and fix it.

6. A side effect of one of your medications

The common culprits are ones that are used to treat depression, pain and muscle tension, high blood pressure or even anxiety. Make sure to check your medications’ side effects. In that case, you can always ask your doctor for advised alternatives.

7. Respiratory illnesses

Your stuffy nose or allergies caused by chronic sinus infections or respiratory illnesses can lead to breathing through your mouth and decrease in saliva production. Anti-allergy medications or ones that combat colds can help you avoid this as long as bad breath is not one of its side effects.

8. Eating spicy food, onions, garlic, fish or eggs

These foods make their way to your bloodstream, travel to your lungs until you breathe them out. Saliva is the key ingredient in your mouth which helps in keeping the smell of your mouth under control. It helps wash away the food and bacteria. You can either avoid the food or fight back with lemons, parsley, apples or carrots which stimulate saliva production and also by drinking more water.