Bad breath has many possible causes, most of them in the mouth.
Causes
In the mouth
- Not brushing and flossing regularly. Bacteria build up in the mouth and between the teeth, and they make the smell.
- Other mouth problems, such as gum disease, dry mouth or cavities.
Elsewhere
- Sinusitis or other nose problems.
- Some foods, such as raw onions, garlic or cabbage.
- Smoking, which has its own smell.
- Some diseases and medicines, which can cause a particular kind of breath odour.
What helps
- Good dental habits — brushing and flossing regularly — help fight bad breath.
- Mouthwash, mints or chewing gum may make breath fresher.
- If a disease is causing it, treating the disease may help.
Sources
- "Bad Breath," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/badbreath.html
- Rewritten in hubnx's own words.
Licence: CC0 1.0 (public domain) · Adapted from medlineplus.gov
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