If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odor is not oral in nature, you may be referred to your family physician or to a specialist to determine the cause of the odor and possible treatment. If the odor is due to gum disease, your dentist can either treat the disease or refer you to a periodontist, a specialist in treating gum tissues. Gum disease can cause gum tissues to pull away from the teeth and form pockets. When these pockets are deep, only a professional periodontal cleaning can remove the bacteria and plaque that accumulate. Abscessed Tooth An abscessed tooth is a pocket of pus, usually caused by some kind of infection and the spread of... Halitosis - Bad Breath Causes and Characteristics Halitosis, or bad breath affects an estimated 65% of Americans. Over... Bulimia Nervosa And Oral Health People with eating disorders can suffer from oral health problems as well. This is... Is A Canker Sore A Cold Sore? People sometimes confuse canker sores and cold sores, but they are completely unrelated.... Tooth Decay And Cavities What Is Tooth Decay? Tooth decay is caused by a variety of things; in medical terms, cavities... Toothache And Toothache Causes Simple toothaches can often be relieved by rinsing the mouth to clear it of debris and... Diabetes And Your Dentist People living with diabetes are vulnerable to a host of systemic problems in their entire... Dry Mouth Causes And Treatments Saliva is one of your body's natural defenses against plaque because it acts to rinse... Fluorosis Condition and Causes Fluorosis is a condition in which your body has been exposed to too much fluoride. In... Gum Disease - Gingivitis Gingivitis is the medical term for early gum disease, or periodontal disease. In general, gum... What Causes Wisdom Teeth Issues And Why Would They Need To Be Removed? Wisdom teeth are the third and final set of... Do You Have A Cut Or Laceration To Your Mouth? Any kind of cut to your face and the delicate soft tissues inside your... Oral Cancer Warnings and Prevention Oral cancer is one of the most common cancers today and has one of the lowest... Plaque On Teeth Plaque is a film of bacteria that forms on your teeth and gums after eating foods that produce acids.... Sensitive Teeth And Tooth Sensitivity If you wince with pain after sipping a hot cup of coffee or chewing a piece of... Teeth Grinding - Bruxism Teeth grinding, also called bruxism, is often viewed as a harmless, though annoying, habit.... TMJ And Jaw Disorders People who grind their teeth can sometimes develop a serious problem with their jaw, which left... Missing Teeth and New Teeth Implants Fixed bridges and implants are often used to replace missing teeth and to correct... Chipped or cracked a tooth? Special thin laminates, called veneers, can often be used to correct discolored, worn... Gum Lifts For Excessive Or Uneven Gums Many people inherit the problem of excessive or uneven gums. An aesthetic...
It is important to note that while mouthwash can help freshen breath, it should not be used as a substitute for proper oral hygiene practices such as brushing and flossing.

If your dentist has ruled out any oral problems that might cause a chronic bad breath, it is best to see you doctor for an evaluation too. This may indicate infection somewhere else in your body and can be a sign of a range of conditions like diabetes, strep throat, tonsilitis, respiratory tract infections, bronchitis, chronic sinusitis, HIV, digestive system ailments such as ref-lux or liver and kidney problems.
Sadly, the term bad breath does not need much explanation. You inherently know what we mean because you have probably experienced it either for yourself or through a loved one. We understand the adjective bad to mean that the odor of bad breath is unpleasant or offensive. While we can certainly smell someone’s mouth odor when they breathe, we also detect it during speaking and laughing.