Is bad breath caused by a lack of brushing and flossing?
Even with meticulous brushing and flossing, bad breath may still linger for some individuals. Excellent oral hygiene is essential for reducing the amount of bacteria, plaque, dead cells and food debris that accumulate on the surfaces of the teeth and gum tissues. All of these are largely responsible for oral odors and disease. However, there are other factors, many times overlooked, that contribute to chronic malodor, according to the ADA. Dry mouth can be a major culprit to bad breath and can be caused by several factors, including the use of alcohol-based mouthrinses and harsh oral care products.