Man Checking His BreathIt’s not the best way to deal with bad breath…

Do you have bad breath, aka halitosis? If so, what are you doing about it, besides turning your face away from anyone who comes near?

Finding the cure means first finding the cause. In many cases, food particles and bacterial plaque accumulate toward the back of your tongue and go bad there. But you might also be suffering inflamed gums, infection, saliva deficiency, stomach upset, even anxiety. Dieting can bring it on, as can smoking, diseases like diabetes or chronic bronchitis, and poor dental hygiene. Certain medications can cause it.

Keeping your mouth healthy is the surest way to keep it kissing sweet. But while the social aspect of halitosis is important, the medical aspect is equally so. One of the warning signs of gum disease is bad breath.

If you are brushing (your teeth and your tongue), rinsing, and flossing twice daily and you still have bad breath, tell us about it. Be sure to tell us about recent illnesses or surgeries and what medicines you are taking. Keep a log of the food you eat. We can help identify the cause and—if it’s an oral problem—develop a plan to treat it.

If you are brushing, rinsing, and flossing twice daily and you still have bad breath, tell us about it.