
What Are the Causes of Bad Breath or Mouth Odor?
Some causes of bad breath or mouth odor are easily addressed, but others may be a symptom of a more serious condition and require a visit to your doctor to determine the cause.

Some causes of bad breath or mouth odor are easily addressed, but others may be a symptom of a more serious condition and require a visit to your doctor to determine the cause.

Bad breath, also called halitosis, can be more than embarrassing -- it can also be a sign of a serious medical condition. The MedlinePlus website of the U.S. National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health notes that halitosis...

Bad breath, also called halitosis, affects approximately one-fourth of adults on a regular basis. It is caused by a variety of factors, from simple dry mouth to more significant problems in the throat. Serious health problems are sometimes...

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath--a most unpleasant problem for both the sufferer and those around him. There are many causes of halitosis; they are broadly grouped into oral causes and causes outside the mouth. A 2007 review article...

Healthy gums and unoffensive breath odor have a close connection. Bad breath is a classic sign of gingivitis, a formative stage of gum disease that can progress if left untreated. Before gingivitis come the bacteria that cause unpleasant breath...

You can dress for success and have otherwise impeccable grooming, but bad breath will quickly put a damper on your social life. Some people are completely unaware that their breath odor is offensive to other people, says the American Dental...

It's embarrassing to have others avoid getting close to you. Only the best of friends dare talk to you about it. It can happen after your morning coffee, a cigarette or a pizza lunch. Bad breath is a common condition that can afflict even those...

The bad odor wafting from the mouth of the person standing by you isn't designed to offend--although it often does. In fact, the American Dental Association points out that some people with bad breath don't even know that the smell causes others...

There can be a connection between dentures and bad breath, according to the Center for Anti-Aging. Bad breath, also known as halitosis, is caused by the bacterial activity that takes place in your mouth. Bacteria can accumulate on dentures, as...

In 1945, Dr. F. Howard Westcott of New York City, began experimenting with chlorophyll to treat breath and body odor. Chlorophyll, the green substance in plants that allows photosynthesis to take place, continues to be used in commercial products...

Halitosis is the medical term for the condition commonly known as bad breath. If you have bad breath, you may be able to solve your problem with something as simple as an improvement in your oral hygiene; however, bad breath may also be a symptom...

Both bad breath and acne can be embarrassing, and better hygiene may help to treat both problems. Beyond that, the two conditions are not related. There are numerous reasons why you might develop bad breath or acne and a variety of treatment options.

If friends or family members back away when you speak, you may have bad breath. While mouthwash can temporarily mask bad breath, using it will not correct underlying hygiene or dental issues that contribute to bad breath. Persistent bad breath...

Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an oral health problem attributable to a variety of factors. While a dry mouth, tobacco use, a chronic health condition or a respiratory infection may lead to halitosis, certain foods may also cause bad...

Bad breath can be a hindrance to forming interpersonal relationships, attracting romantic interests and developing effective working relationships with colleagues who interact closely with you. Bad breath has many causes, one of which includes...

Bad breath, called halitosis, can cause anxiety and social embarrassment, notes MayoClinic.com. Many temporary treatments, such as chewing gums, mouthwashes and mints are available, but treatment needs to focus on the underlying cause of bad...

Bad breath, formally known as halitosis, is a common occurrence. Although it's not a fatal health concern, bad breath can be inconvenient and highly embarrassing. Poor dental hygiene, certain foods and some underlying medical conditions can cause...

The body's preferred fuel is sugar, or glucose. If insufficient glucose is available to the body's cells, fat is used as an alternate energy source. However, the utilization of fat for energy produces acidic chemicals called ketones. A buildup of...

When you consider that some 700 types of bacteria live in the human mouth, based on estimates provided by Harvard University, it's no wonder that many people experience chronic bad breath. Breath odor can be caused by poor hygiene, foods like...

Seroquel, an antipsychotic medication, is prescribed for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Like most medications, it can prove beneficial in treatment, but may cause unintended side effects when taken in conjunction with other...

Although it may not always seem like it, bad breath is usually preventable. Bad breath, also referred to as halitosis, is caused by bacteria in the mouth. Individuals with chronic bad breath should take the time to learn the cause of their bad...

Garlic is known to have an odor whether you're chopping it, cooking with it or just taking a whiff of it. The smell of garlic can linger on porous surfaces, clothing, your body and your breath. Unpleasant body odor and bad breath can cause...

Breath odor is the scent of the air you exhale. An unpleasant or offensive odor is called bad breath. Another term for bad breath is halitosis, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. While different foods can cause bad breath,...

Bad breath can occur at almost any time of day. The bacteria that generate the odor live in the mouth and multiply with each meal. Poor dental care only worsens the problem.

Humans have used garlic as an herbal medication since the time of the earliest civilizations for a variety of heath conditions. Unfortunately, you are probably aware of the negative side effects of eating large amounts of garlic, namely bad breath...

Sore gums and bad breath are not only an annoying combination, but can signify a sign of potential trouble. Sore gums can be a temporary pain, and bad breath odor is offensive to others, but some mouth illnesses harbor these two symptoms,...

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath. Using mints, chewing gum and mouthwash may provide temporary relief from the pungent odor, but finding the underlying cause is important to end the halitosis. The source of the bad smell usually comes...

Halitosis is the medical term for bad breath--something all people experience at some point. This usually results from the development of bacteria in the mouth, but it can also result from plaque and occasionally non-oral factors. A trip to the...

If you've ever wondered why your breath smells so bad in the morning, there's a simple reason--your mouth is dry. "Morning breath" is a normal and temporary form of halitosis, says the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. However, dry...

Bad breath or halitosis has caused store shelves to be filled with gum, mints, and other products designed to help control bad breath. Yet these products help control bad breath or halitosis only temporarily. And, they actually may be less...