If you’re finding that people are less and less willing to spend time being close to you, consider this: bad breath affects almost everyone at one time or another, and you usually can’t tell if you have it by yourself. Could halitosis be the reason for your relationship doldrums? Let’s take a close look at some the causes and cures of this widespread health issue.

What is bad breath/halitosis?

Just what it sounds like: a common and often embarrassing oral-health issue, stemming from a variety of causes, and which in some cases may be an indication of some other physical disorder.

What causes it?

Everybody has suffered from bad breath at some time or another — usually from someone else’s.

Often, individuals afflicted with bad breath are not even aware of the problem. Causes leading to the development of the condition include: poor dental hygiene, tooth decay, periodontal disease, xerostomia (also known as dry mouth), consumption of strong-smelling foods such as garlic, and use of tobacco products. In addition, eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia, improper cleaning of dentures, and certain vitamin deficiencies can also foul the breath.