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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffBad breath odors vary depending on the source or the underlying cause of the bad breath. Because it's difficult to rate your own breath, many people worry excessively about their breath even though they have little or no mouth odor. Others have bad breath and don't know it. Because it's difficult to assess how your own breath smells, ask a close friend or relative to confirm your bad-breath questions.
When to see a doctor
If you've been told you have bad breath or are aware that you do, review your oral hygiene habits. Try making lifestyle changes, such as brushing your teeth and tongue after eating, using dental floss, and drinking plenty of water.
If your bad breath persists after making such changes, see your dentist. If your dentist suspects a more serious condition is causing your bad breath, he or she may refer you to a doctor to find the cause of the odor.
- Armstrong BL, et al. Halitosis: A review of current literature. The Journal of Dental Hygiene. 2010;84:65.
- Bad breath (Halitosis). American Dental Association. http://www.ada.org/2941.aspx. Accessed April 6, 2010.
- Struch F, et al. Self-reported halitosis and gastro-esophageal reflux disease in the general population. Journal of General Internal Medicine. 2008;23:260.
- How do I choose and use a toothbrush? Academy of General Dentistry. http://www.agd.org/public/oralhealth/Default.asp?IssID=291&Topic=B&ArtID=1128#body. Accessed April 14, 2010.
- Rosenberg M. Bad breath. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed April 16, 2010.
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