Questions and Answers: Bad Breath

Q. What causes bad breath?

A. Bacteria on the tongue and teeth are usually to blame for bad breath. Sometimes bad breath could signal a serious medical disorder, or it could be something as simple as rotting food stuck between teeth. Tobacco products can cause bad breath, and so can dry mouth.¹    

Q. How can I freshen up my breath?

A. Follow these tips:

• Brush your teeth at least twice a day, paying special attention to the gum line. Remember to brush your tongue gently, too.¹

• Floss once a day.¹

• Avoid alcohol and smoking. But do drink plenty of water.¹

• Avoid garlic and onion.¹

• When you can’t brush, try rinsing your mouth with water.¹

• See a dentist for regular cleanings.¹

Q. Could bad breath be a sign of something more serious?

A.   Yes. It could be an infection in the respiratory tract, chronic sinusitis, diabetes, chronic bronchitis, gastrointestinal disturbance, or a problem with the liver or kidney.¹

If your bad breath persists without an obvious cause, such as smoking or certain foods, then visit your doctor.²

¹ “Bad Breath (Halitosis).” Oral Health Topics, American Dental Association, March 14, 2005. www.ada.org/2941.aspx Accessed 2010.

² “MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Breath Odor.” U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health, February 22, 2010. www.nlm.nih.gov/MEDLINEPLUS/ency/article/003058.htm Accessed 2010.