Bad Breath (Halitosis)

Bad breath is a common occurrence in people. When it doesn’t go away, or advances, it becomes known as chronic halitosis. Bad breath is caused by decaying particles of food and bacteria that pass into your bloodstream and to the lungs, where odor is emitted from breathing. While people spend lots of money on products that treat the symptoms of bad breath, they often neglect to take steps to address the root causes of bad breath, such as bacteria, and decaying food particles in remaining spaces between the teeth, on the gums, and on the tongue. In many cases, good daily oral hygiene, including brushing, flossing, and rinsing, can keep bad breath in check. This also applies to denture-wearers.

Another form of bad breath comes from odors emitted from the stomach (gastro-intestinal). If there is no periodontal disease (which causes bad breath) and the mouth and tongue are clean, it may be time to visit your MD. The doctor will determine if this is a medical problem.