What Causes Bad Breath?
The decomposed matter also forms a paste-like layer of plaque on the tongue (sometimes called morning tongue). Mucus seals the plaque, creating an air-tight "blanket" that prevents oxygen from reaching the ridges and valleys of the tongue. This assures an ever available food supply for the anaerobic bacteria which can only thrive in an oxygen-free environment. As the anaerobes feed and multiply, they produce a corresponding increase in the sulfurous gas molecules that cause bad breath.
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Bad breath is caused by anaerobic bacteria that reside in the soft tissue surfaces of the mouth, primarily the tongue, gums, cheeks and lips. These surfaces trap and accumulate dead tissue, blood elements and food debris. Anaerobes decompose the protein in these materials which putrefy and form molecules of hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan, two noxious sulfurous gases that are the prime cause of offensive breath odor. 
