| What causes bad breath?
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. Dentures
that are not cleaned properly can also
harbor odor-causing bacteria and food
particles.
One of the warning signs of periodontal
(gum) disease is persistent bad breath
or a bad taste in the mouth. Periodontal
disease is caused by plaque, the sticky,
colorless film of bacteria that constantly
forms on teeth. The bacteria create toxins
that irritate the gums. In the advanced
stage of the disease, the gums, bone
and other structures that support the
teeth become damaged. With regular dental
checkups, your dentist can detect and
treat periodontal disease early.
Bad breath is also 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
an artificial saliva, or suggest using
sugarless candy and increasing your fluid
intake.
Tobacco products cause bad breath, stain
teeth, reduce one's ability to taste
foods and irritate gum tissues. Tobacco
users are more likely to suffer from
periodontal disease and are at greater
risk for developing oral cancer. 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 (nose throat, windpipe,
lungs), 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.
Eliminating periodontal disease and 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 a 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. If you wear removable dentures,
take them out at night. Clean them thoroughly
before replacing them the next morning.
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 mouthrinse. A fluoride
mouthrinse, used along with brushing
and flossing, can help prevent tooth
decay.
Look for products that carry the American
Dental Association Seal of Acceptance.
Products that display the seal have undergone
strict testing for safety and effectiveness.
What can I do about bad breath?
Regular checkups will allow your dentist
to detect any problems such as periodontal (gum) disease,
a dry mouth or other disorders that may
be the cause. Maintaining good oral hygiene,
eliminating periodontal (gum) disease and scheduling
regular professional cleanings are essential
to reducing bad breath.
Regardless of what may be the cause, good
oral hygiene is essential. Brush twice
a day and clean between your teeth daily
with floss or interdental cleaners. Brush
your tongue, too. If you wear dentures,
be sure to remove them at night and clean
them thoroughly before replacing them
the next morning. If you don't already
have a dentist, see Manage
Your Oral Health: You & Your Dentist.
How do I find a dentist who treats bad
breath?
Dentists are taught in dental school about
the oral causes of bad breath (halitosis).
If you have bad breath, you may want
to start by talking to your general dentist
about treatment options. You can also
contact your state
dental association to see what resources are available in
your area of the country.
What is the treatment for bad breath?
If your dentist determines that your mouth
is healthy and that the odor is not of
oral origin, you may be referred to your
family physician or to a specialist to
determine the cause of the odor and for
treatment. Of course, if the odor is
of oral origin, as it is in the majority
of cases, your dentist can treat the
cause of the problem.
If the odor is due to periodontal (gum) disease, your
general dentist can either treat the
disease or refer you to a periodontist,
a specialist in treating gum tissues.
Periodontal (gum) disease can cause gum tissues to
pull away from the teeth and form pockets.
When these pockets are deep, only a professional
periodontal cleaning can remove the bacteria
and plaque that accumulate. Sometimes
more extensive treatment is necessary.
If you have extensive build-up of
plaque, an invisible layer of
bacteria, your
dentist may recommend using a special
antimicrobial mouthrinse. Your dentist
may also recommend that when you
brush your teeth, you also brush
your tongue
to remove excess plaque.
Where can I get products that will be
useful in treating bad breath?
After determining the cause of your halitosis,
your dentist will be able to prescribe
or recommend those products that can
be helpful for you. See Products
with the ADA Seal of Acceptance.
How Effective
Are "Halitosis Kits" and
Other Products That Claim to Treat Bad
Breath?
The ADA cannot vouch for the claims the
manufacturers of halitosis kits make.
If you are concerned about their safety
and effectiveness, you can ask your dentist
if the products in the kit will be useful
for you.
Many antiseptic mouthrinse products, however,
have been accepted by the ADA for their
therapeutic benefits in reducing plaque
and gingivitis and also have breath freshening
properties.
Instead of simply masking breath odor,
these products have been demonstrated
to kill the germs that cause bad breath.
You may wish to ask your dentist about
trying some of these products.
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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