Medical Questions » Teeth Questions » Question No. 985
| Question: | I am one of those people who listen to television commercials about bad breath and try everything they suggest, but my problem persists. Help! |
| Answer: | Bad breath, with its social implications, is one of the major problems facing Australians today, if the health content of television commercials is to be believed!
Halitosis (the technical name for bad breath) may be due to smoking—the most common cause—poor dental hygiene, periodontal (gum) disease, sinusitis, bronchitis and other infections. Fad diets that contain excess protein and not enough carbohydrates are another possibility because the breakdown products of proteins are highly volatile acids that are expelled in the breath.
Alcoholics have halitosis because the alcohol alters the balance of microorganisms in the gut, causing an increase in the number of odour-producing bacteria.
Other serious diseases that can cause halitosis include diabetes, hepatitis and cancer. Drugs such as those used to treat angina, fluid tablets and certain tranquillisers may also be responsible.
Those of you with bad breath should stop smoking, clean your teeth regularly, use dental floss, and gargle with antiseptic mouthwashes. If these measures fail, then see your doctot to have some of the more serious potential causes excluded. A dental appointment may also be necessary.
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