It is believed that in 80-90% of cases halitosis origins in the oral cavity an

d the most common causes are: gingival pathologies, caries and poor oral hygiene
,on the other hand . Extraoral sources of halitosis are responsible for 10-20%
of all cases and are caused by poor diet, alcohol abuse, tobacco smoking, certai
n drugs and diseases of other parts of digestive tract as well as some systemic
conditions
disorder, such as a local infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis,
postnasal drip, chronic bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal disturbance, liv
er or kidney ailment. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you
may be referred to your family doctor or a specialist to determine the cause of
bad breath.
Bad breath can also be caused by dry mouth (xerostomia), which occurs when the f
low of saliva decreases.
Medications - any medication that causes a dry mouth or nose is more likely to c
ause bad breath, examples include antihistamines and drugs for treating sinus pr
oblems.
Smoking - smoking does not cause bad breath just because of the unpleasant smell
of smoke that has been in the mouth and the respiratory tract. Smokers are more
likely to suffer from gum disease and other dental problems which cause bad bre
ath. A significantly lower percentage of non-smokers have bad breath compared to
smokers.

Illnesses, conditions and situations - experts say that about one tenth of all c
ases of halitosis are caused by an illness or medical condition. Examples includ
e:
Tonsillitis
Other throat infections
Diabetes - uncontrolled diabetes may produce a fruity breath.
Bronchitis and chronic lung infections, including lung abscesses
Sinusitis - nasal discharge can get to the back of the throat and make the mouth
smelly.
Gastritis
Acid reflux (GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease).
Very low carbohydrate diets
Liver problems - liver failure may produce a fishy breath.
Kidney problems - kidney failure can produce a urine-like odor.
Some cancers.