  Overview
Whether you call it bad
breath or halitosis, it’s an unpleasant
condition that’s cause for embarrassment.
Some people with bad breath aren’t
even aware there’s a problem. If
you’re concerned about bad breath,
see your dentist. He or she can help
identify the cause and, if it’s
due to an oral condition, develop a treatment
plan to help eliminate it.
What you eat affects the air you
exhale. Certain foods, such as garlic and onions,
contribute to objectionable breath odor.
Once the food is absorbed into the bloodstream,
it is transferred to the lungs, where
it is expelled. Brushing, flossing and
mouthwash will only mask the odor temporarily.
Odors continue until the body eliminates
the food. Dieters may develop unpleasant
breath from infrequent eating.
If you don't brush and floss daily, particles
of food remain in the mouth,
collecting bacteria, which can cause
bad breath.
Food that collects between the teeth,
on the tongue and around the gums
can rot, leaving an unpleasant odor.
Bad breath can also be caused
by dry mouth (xerostomia),
which occurs when
the flow of saliva decreases.
Saliva is necessary to cleanse the mouth
and remove particles that may
cause
odor.
Dry mouth may be caused by various
medications, salivary gland problems
or continuously
breathing through the mouth.
If you suffer from dry mouth, your dentist
may prescribe
anartificial saliva, or suggest
using
sugarless candy and increasing
your fluid intake.
Tobacco products cause bad breath. If you use tobacco, ask your
dentist for
tips on kicking the habit.
Bad breath may be the sign
of a medical disorder,
such as a
local infection
in the respiratory tract,
chronic sinusitis,
postnasal drip, chronic
bronchitis, diabetes, gastrointestinal
disturbance, liver 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.
Maintaining good oral
health is essential
to reducing
bad breath. Schedule
regular dental visits
for a professional
cleaning and checkup. If you think
you have constant
bad breath,
keep
a log of
the foods you
eat and make a list
of medications you take.
Some medications
may play a role
in creating mouth
odors. Let your dentist know
if you've had
any surgery
or illness
since your last appointment.
Brush twice a day
with fluoride
toothpaste to
remove food
debris and plaque.
Brush your tongue,
too. Once
a day, use floss
or an interdental
cleaner to clean
between teeth.
Mouthwashes are
generally
cosmetic and do not
have a long-lasting
effect on
bad breath.
If you must
constantly
use a breath freshener
to
hide unpleasant
mouth
odor, see
your dentist. If
you
need extra
help in controlling
plaque,
your dentist
may recommend
using a special
antimicrobial
mouth rinse.
A fluoride
mouth rinse,
used along
with brushing and
flossing,
can help
prevent tooth decay.
Frequently
Asked Questions
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Please note: The ADA does not provide specific answers
to individual questions about fees, dental problems, conditions, diagnoses,
treatments or proposed treatments, or requests for research. Information about
dental referrals, complaints and a variety of dental procedures may
be found here. You can also refer to our Frequently
Asked Questions page for answers to common questions.
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