We all know that eating that plate of spicy linguine with the side of garlic bread at lunch is probably not the greatest idea if you love to have a fresh, odorless mouth. But did you know that there are many other triggers-besides the obvious food triggers-that can bloom into a serious case of halitosis? It's true-there are many different halitosis triggers. If you can't figure out what is causing your bad breath, take a look at these and see if anything looks like it may apply to your case.

What Could Be Causing Your Bad Breath Woes - Look for the Obvious First

If you find yourself suffering from chronic bad breath, it makes sense to check off all the obvious points first. Is your diet rich in foods that have been known to cause halitosis? Pungent foods include garlic, onions, oily meats, fish, and other foods high in proteins. A diet that is high in sugars can also contribute to bad breath troubles. If you drink coffee and/or alcohol on a regular basis, these too can be contributing to your bad breath woes. Another big one: do you smoke? Cigarettes and cigars have also been known, of course, to incite a serious case of bad breath.

Other, More Furtive Causes for Your Bad Breath

Even avoiding foods known for their bad breath will not automatically keep you from experiencing bad breath. That's because there are so many other potential causes for halitosis that can be difficult to spot or even treat. Some of the most common underlying causes of chronic bad breath may include post-nasal drip, sinus infections, lung infections, bronchial infections, chronic sinusitis, and tonsillitis. Other systematic problems that can also trigger bad breath include nasal polyps, diabetes mellutis, syphilis, liver problems, kidney problems, stomach and lung problems and gallbladder failure.

How Do You Know If Your Halitosis Is Being Caused By Something More Serious

Let us say that you have been experiencing chronic problems with bad breath. Fortunately, most of the time, bad breath is not caused by any real problem. Bad breath is more commonly caused by a specific food or a poor oral health hygiene routine. Serious underlying systematic problems should be diagnosed by a medical professional. However, some research studies have pointed to certain symptoms that may indicate a larger problem. For example, some studies have shown that halitosis accompanied by a fish-like odor. This fish-like odor can be indicative of more serious, systemic kidney or chronic renal failure problems. Another potential trigger for bad breath is the use of prescription medication and some therapy treatments, such as radiation therapy. If you are currently taking prescription medications, these can definitely be responsible for any type of bad breath problems that you may be experiencing.

Stress - Another Common Bad Breath Trigger

Did you know that stress is capable of causing bad breath as well? It's true. Medical researchers have found that people with higher levels of stress are also more likely to suffer from halitosis.