Bad breath or Halitosis can be described as an unpleasant, disagreeable, distinctive, or offensive breath odour. A person who has bad breath may not be aware of the odour. However, his or her acquaintances and the healthcare provider are generally aware of the problem.

Causes

Halitosis is usually caused by poor dental hygiene. Other causal factors of bad breath include: • Food (such as raw onions, garlic, or cabbage) • Vitamin supplements (especially in large doses) • Caries • Smoking • Alcoholism • Throat infection • Sinusitis • Abscessed tooth • Impacted tooth Some systemic causes of bad breath include the following: • Drugs and medications • Kidney disease • Lung abscess, or pus pocket within the lungs • Bronchitis • Conditions that cause dry mouth, such as Jorgen syndrome • Stomach or bowel problems • Constipation • Poorly controlled diabetes • Liver disease • Certain kinds of cancer • Infection with the HIV/AIDS virus

Treatment/Prevention

Prevention of bad breath starts with good oral hygiene. People should brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss all the teeth daily. Change toothbrushes every month to prevent bacteria build-up. Removable dentures should be taken out at night, cleaned, and soaked overnight. Mouthwash is not an effective treatment for bad breath, since it hides the real cause. Mouthwash and breath mints are only temporary solutions and may mask more serious problems. Also, some breath mints may contain sugars, which can cause caries. Avoid smoking. Someone in good health may have bad breath at times, such as in the morning after a long sleep. However, a person with persistent bad breath should see a dentist to check if the bad breath is related to the teeth and mouth.

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