“What is the cause of my bad breath?”

Bad breath is caused of a constant accumulation of plaque and food in your gums. It should be removed by your meticulous brushing all over your mouth, at least twice a day, after meals and the use of dental floss to clean in between of all your teeth, every day before you go to bed. Is this enough? Not enough. Call your Dentist to make an appointment for a professional prophylaxis. This is imperative, done at least twice a year.

Bacterial infections

50:50......what you eat and poor hygiene afterwards.

Bad breath could come from several sources. The first area of concern would be the mouth. If gum is helping there is a good chance that it could be an oral problem. To be sure, thorough. (both in time  spent and technique) brushing and flossing is necessary. If you're taking medication, make sure they do not cause xerostomia, or "dry mouth" which can lead to bad breath. Diet may play a part. Make sure all your fillings, crowns, bridges, etc., are fine. It would be best to have an examination by your dentist. If it is not the mouth, then bad breath can come from the upper respiratory system. Do you have sinus issues? Allergies? Finally, bad breath can come from the GI system. Do you get heartburn, GERD? You need to check with your family physician to rule out these areas. Bad breath can be a complex issue. It would be best to have these areas evaluated by health professionals.
Hope this helps.

Steven Chamish, DDS