Post-nasal drip can also cause bad breath, as the discharged mucous provides a rich food for the anaerobic bacteria that cause bad breath, helping them to multiply rapidly. Again, this sort of bad breath isn't by itself a sign of gum disease.

However, the most common cause of bad breath is a lack of adequate oral hygiene. Improper brushing and flossing, or simply too little of it, can leave large amounts of plaque still stuck to and growing on your teeth and gums. If this growth is allowed to continue unchecked, the anaerobic bacteria has the opportunity to burrow down beneath the gum line, where

Anaerobic bacteria give off a smell much like sulfur, and it is exactly that smell that's most closely associated with bad breath. Occasional bad breath may merely be a signal that it's time to brush again, but persistent or chronic bad breath can be an early warning sign of gum disease.

If you have chronic bad breath as well as tender or inflamed gums, there's a good chance that you are experiencing some level of gum disease. It's important to see your dentist as soon as possible to seek treatment, not only for social reasons, but your overall state of health.
About the Author

Blake Kritzberg is proprietor of CuresForBadBreath.com. Stop by to learn more about bad breath cures and home remedies for halitosis.