Bad breath can be caused by a number of factors. A small percentage of cases are caused by digestion problems or other internal concerns but in nearly 90 per cent of cases, it is caused by problems occurring in the oral cavity. This could be the result of poor standards of oral hygiene. Food and bacteria that are trapped in small spaces between the teeth and in the grooves of the tongue will decay and release nasty smelling sulphurous compounds, which are then expelled on the breath. This kind of bad breath can be masked by using oral products, but only temporarily. The only sure-fire cure for this kind of bad breath is to make dramatic improvements in your daily oral hygiene routine and ensure you are brushing and flossing correctly.
The other major cause of bad breath is gum disease. Dentists can often tell that patients are suffering from gum disease even before they have examined them properly. This is because gum disease lets out a very distinctive odour, caused by bacteria and decaying gum tissue. Gum disease is again caused buy poor standards of oral hygiene and insufficient brushing and flossing. Nearly three quarters of adults in the UK will suffer from gum disease at some point in their lives so it is definitely a problem that we all need to be concerned about.
Gum disease is usually mild, known as gingivitis, and can be cleared up with an improvement in cleaning techniques and some treatment from a Central Leeds dentist. However, if the gum disease is allowed to progress unchecked it may become the more serious periodontitis, which will certainly need more extensive treatment. As you might expect, the bad breath becomes more of a problem as the gum disease becomes more serious, so if you have noticed that you have bad breath it is always a good idea to go to the dentist for a check up to ensure the health of your gums.
Many people think that gum disease is only a problem that affects adults but studies reveal that nearly half of all children have gingivitis, the milder form of gum disease. Although it is true that cases of periodontal disease (the more serious form of gum disease) are more common among adults, it still can occur in children.
There are over 350 types of bacteria found in the average human mouth but many of these have no real harmful effects. However, about 5 per cent of these bacteria are responsible for causing gum disease if not removed by 
Gum disease is the infection of the gingival tissue that surrounds and supports teeth and occurs in two stages called gingivitis and periodontitis.
Gum disease, or gingivitis as it is also known, can be caused when bacteria is allowed to build up in the mouth which causes the gums to become infected. This usually manifests itself in painful, irritating and swollen gums that if left untreated it can become periodontitis and lead to wider infection and tooth loss.