Halitosis

Bad Breath (Halitosis)

It is very common to have bad breath. Over-the-counter remedies often make false promises to improve bad breath, without actually addressing the causes.

  • Overview

    It is very common to have bad breath (also known as halitosis). Over-the-counter remedies make false promises that they can improve bad breath, without actually addressing the causes. The most important part of treating bad breath is to remove bacteria that cause odors. These bacteria are caused by poor hygiene or a variety of foods. Understanding the causes will allow us to direct our treatment to the right source.


  • Symptoms

    The symptoms can range from bad tastes to bad odors. You may not be able to detect bad breath. Some people discover they have bad breath after a friend informs them. We have seen people who thought they had bad breath but didn't. They were told they had bad breath and became obsessed with eliminating the problem. It is important that you focus on the things that you can control. This includes your oral hygiene and diet.


  • Causes

    There are many things that can cause bad breath. Always start with the most common cause.


    Tongue brushing is not done

    Bacteria that accumulate on the tongue are responsible for most of the smell. Here is where we start looking for bad breath. Bad-smelling bacteria can be trapped on the tongue, particularly in the back of the throat.


    Lack of brushing or flossing

    Plaque is formed when food particles combine with saliva in the mouth and bacteria. Plaque can stick to the teeth or between them and the gums. It can produce bad smells if not removed. Bacteria that cause bad odors can be removed by brushing and flossing daily. If the bacteria is not removed regularly, it can cause gum disease and damage the surrounding teeth.


    Dentures, partials, or retainers

    Plaques and bacteria can be found on partials, dentures or retainers. with warm water and over the counter products designed for your denture, partial, or retainer 


    Tobacco Products

    Smoking can cause gum disease, bad breath, and dry mouth. Smoking tobacco products can worsen oral health problems for those with poor oral hygiene.


    Dry Mouth

    Dry mouth can be caused by many different medications. Normal salivary flow is reduced at night when you stay up late or sleep. Saliva is usually used to wash away plaque and bacteria. We see more plaque and odor when saliva is reduced.


    Food

    Garlic, onions, spices, and other foods can accumulate in the stomach and mouth, causing bad breath. The smells can sometimes linger much longer than you expect.


    Tonsils Stones

    These stones can harbor odorous bacteria.


    Acid Reflux

    Bad breath can also be caused by bacteria in the stomach, which causes acid reflux. This should be included.

  • Diagnosis

    First, we rule out the most common culprits. We start with the tongue since 85% of bad odors are caused by it. The tongue and throat can be examined to determine if there is any excessive bacteria. We will then perform a periodontal examination to determine if there is any plaque, infection, or bleeding. We will then recommend treatment for these conditions. Once we have determined that your mouth is healthy, we will begin to look at other possible causes such as diet and other sources like your stomach and nasal cavity.


A Special Offer for New Patients

If you or anyone in your family wants to become a new patient of Dr. Murphy’s, you can save money on the first visit! Get a free examination and x-rays when you schedule that initial visit. This is a $328 value, free of charge! (Some restrictions apply to this offer.) To schedule, please call our office today at (630) 793-0634.


In Batavia, we are located at 1605 West Wilson Street, just east of Ace Hardware. That’s just west of Batavia High School. We look forward to helping your entire family improve and maintain your dental health and beautiful smiles. 

  • Oral Hygiene: The most important thing that we can do is to scrape the tongue. This is our first recommendation.
  • Electric toothbrushes and water Flossers: This tool can remove most of the plaque that is causing bad breath.
  • Periodontal Evaluation: The next step is to examine the health of your gums. Unclean gums are second in line for halitosis.
  • Restorative Dentistry: Mouth odor can be eliminated by restoring decayed teeth to health.
  • Diet Changes: The next step to improving bad breath is usually removing any food that may be contributing to the problem.
  • Evaluation by Primary Care Physician: The next step in determining what causes bad breath is to rule out any other problems with the stomach and sinuses.