Most people aren't aware that certain foods, health conditions and even personal habits are among the main causes of halitosis. In most cases, you can improve stinky breath with improved dental hygiene. But, if these personal care techniques don't solve the problem at hand, you may want to see your local dentist to make sure a more serious condition isn't creating your bad breath.

Breath odor varies depending on the source or the underlying cause of the bad breath, and each cause could be unique to an individual. Most bad breath originates in your mouth. The causes are numerous. They include the following:

Dental Problems: Poor dental hygiene and periodontal disease can be a source of stink breath. If your not brushing and flossing daily, it's easy for food particles to remain in your mouth, collecting bacteria and emitting hydrogen sulfide vapors (foul odor). A colorless, sticky film of bacteria (plaque) also forms on your teeth. If not brushed away, plaque will irritate your gums and could cause tooth decay. Eventually, plaque-filled pockets can form between your teeth and gums, worsening this problem and causing bad breath. Dentures that aren't cleaned regularly or don't fit properly also can harbor odor-causing bacteria and food particles.

Nasal Conditions: Halitosis is also associated with sinus infections because nasal discharge from your sinuses into the back of your throat can cause mouth odor. A child with consistent bad breath may have a foreign object lodged in his or her nose. A bean or small item stuck in the nose can cause persistent nasal discharge and a foul odor. Throat infections can cause bad breath until they clear. Bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections in which you cough up odorous sputum are other sources as well.

Tobacco: Smoking dries out your mouth and causes its own unpleasant mouth odor. Tobacco users are also more likely to have periodontal disease, an additional source of foul breath.

Food: The digestion of food particles in and around your teeth can cause a bad or foul odor. Eating foods containing oils is another source of stinky breath. Onions and garlic are the best-known examples, but other vegetables also can cause bad breath. After these foods are digested and the oils are absorbed into your bloodstream, they're carried to your lungs and are given off in your breath until the food is eliminated from your body. Onions and garlic can cause foul breath for as long as 72 hours after you've eaten.

Dry Mouth: Saliva helps cleanse and moisten your mouth. A dry mouth enables dead cells to accumulate on your tongue, gums and cheeks. These cells then decompose and cause odor. Dry mouth naturally occurs during sleep. It's what causes "morning breath." Dry mouth is even more of a problem if you sleep with your mouth open. Some medications as well as smoking can lead to a chronic dry mouth, as can a problem with your salivary glands.

Dieting: Dieters may develop unpleasant "fruity" breath the breakdown of chemicals during digestion.

Knowing this simple causes of bad breath can help you to create a plan with your dentist to always have fresh breath!