FAQ Topics:

• Fillings & Restorative Materials
  
• Dentures
  
• Decay & Disease
  
• Children
  
• Brushing & Tooth Whitening
  
• X-rays
  
• Bad Breath
  

1. What is the cause of bad breath?
   

   An individual can have bad breath (oral malodor or halitosis) due to a variety of reasons including poor oral hygiene, gum disease, an unclean tongue, certain foods (spicy foods and those which break down to release sulfides), tobacco products, a dry mouth (caused by a lack of saliva [xerostomia]), or certain medical conditions. When patients have poor oral hygiene and gum disease (periodontal disease) and lack saliva to wash away odor-causing bacteria, bad breath occurs. Adequate amounts of saliva are necessary to wash away food debris and bacteria. However, certain common medications or medical conditions lead to less than optimal salivary flow causing a dry mouth. At times, sinus conditions, nasal drips or respiratory infections cause bad breath. When bad breath is persistent, contact your dentist to determine the cause so it can be corrected.

2. How can I treat my bad breath?
   

   When your dentist determines the cause of your bad breath and it is of dental origin, it can be treated in the dental office. At times, you may need to be referred to a physician to be treated if the bad breath is not of a dental origin.

   If the odor is due to gum problems, they should be treated by the dentist; if the condition is severe, they should be treated by a dental specialist called a periodontist. When you have a build up of dental plaque and gingivitis (inflammation of the gums), the dentist may recommend an antimicrobial mouth rinse. In addition, the dentist will recommend that your tongue be thoroughly cleaned on a daily basis to remove the large amounts of odor-causing bacteria residing on the top (dorsum) surface of the tongue. This can be accomplished by using a toothbrush, gauze, or special tongue scrapers.