Toggle navigation

 39520 Woodward Avenue
Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304

248-430-6331

  • Facebook

Request an Appointment

  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Smile Gallery
  • What Patients Are Saying

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath

  • Blog Home
  • Oral+Health
  • Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath

Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath

By Julie A Fattore DDS
May 02, 2014
Category: Oral Health
Tags: bad breath  
FrequentlyAskedQuestionsAboutBadBreath

Q: I often seem to have noticeably bad breath — not just in the morning. How unusual is this problem?
A: Persistent bad breath, or halitosis, is a very common complaint that is thought to affect millions of people, including perhaps 25 to 50 percent of middle aged and older adults. It’s the driving force behind the market for breath mints and mouth rinses, with an estimated value of $3 billion annually. It’s also the third most frequent reason people give for seeing the dentist (after tooth decay and gum disease). So if you have bad breath, you’re hardly alone.

Q: Can bad breath come from somewhere other than the mouth?
A: Most of the time, bad breath does originate in the mouth; its characteristic smell is often caused by volatile sulfur compounds (VSCs), which have a foul odor. However, it can also come from the nose, possibly as a result of a sinus infection or a foreign body. In some cases, pus from the tonsils can cause halitosis. There are also a few diseases which sometimes give your breath an unpleasant odor.

Q: What exactly causes the mouth to smell bad?
A: In a word: bacteria. Millions of these microorganisms (some of which are harmful, and some helpful) coat the lining of the mouth and the tongue. They thrive on tiny food particles, remnants of dead skin cells, and other material. When they aren't kept under control with good oral hygiene — or when they begin multiplying in inaccessible areas, like the back of the tongue or under the gums — they may start releasing the smells of decaying matter.

Other issues can also contribute to a malodorous mouth. These include personal habits (such as tobacco and alcohol use), consumption of strong-smelling foods (onions and cheese, for example), and medical conditions, like persistent dry mouth (xerostomia).

Q: What can I do about my bad breath?
A: Those breath mints are really just a cover-up. Your best bet is to come in to the dental office for an examination. We have several ways of finding out exactly what’s causing your bad breath, and then treating it. Depending on what’s best for your individual situation, we may offer oral hygiene instruction, a professional cleaning, or treatment for gum disease or tooth decay. Bad breath can be an embarrassing problem — but we can help you breathe easier.

0 Comment(s) Permalink

Comments:






Subscribe to our RSS Feed

Archive:

  • 2015
      • May (1)
        • No "Glee" in Tooth Grinding
      • April (2)
        • The Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD) Pain Cycle
        • Dwight Howard: A Bright NBA Star With a Smile to Match
      • March (2)
        • Dental Offices Uphold the Highest Standards for Infection Control
        • Nancy O'Dell Helps Put New Moms At Ease About Infant Oral Health
      • February (2)
        • Stabilizing Your New Smile: Answering Your Questions about Orthodontic Retainers
        • Cheryl Cole's See-Through "Braces"
      • January (2)
        • Four Tips for Preventing Premature Loss of Baby Teeth From Tooth Decay
        • Howard Stern Opens Up - About His Teeth
  • 2014
      • December (3)
        • Nine Things to Expect During Your Appointment with the Dental Hygienist
        • What Made American Idol Finalist Elliott Yamin Smile?
        • An Implant-Supported Denture Offers a Number of Advantages
      • November (2)
        • Actress Florence Henderson Shares Her Secrets for Keeping Your Natural Teeth as You Age
        • Dental Implants and Smoking - Cause for Concern?
      • October (2)
        • What Won't Florence Henderson Leave Home Without?
        • How to Clean Your Oral Appliance
      • September (2)
        • 50 Cent Tweets His Dental Exam
        • Bleeding Gums are a Possible Sign of Periodontal Gum Disease
      • August (3)
        • Martha Stewart Shows Off Renovation Work - In Her Mouth!
        • Dental Hygienist - Your Partner in Preventing Disease and Maintaining Oral Health
        • TV Wellness Guru Jillian Michaels Discusses Breaking Her Two Front Teeth
      • July (1)
        • Use a Risk Management Approach for Dental Care Success
      • June (1)
        • Actor Ed Helms' Tooth-Yanking Trick: It Was a Dental Implant!
      • May (3)
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Tooth Wear
        • Reality Star Kept His Eyes on the Prize: New Teeth!
        • Frequently Asked Questions About Bad Breath
      • April (2)
        • Braces: A Rite of Passage Even for Hollywood Kids
        • Science and Art: Partners in Crafting a Superior Set of Dentures
      • March (2)
        • Christie Brinkley Shares Her Experience With Dental Implants
        • Underlying Factors for Gum Disease Require Long-Term Treatment Strategy
      • February (1)
        • Flossing: An Important Part of TV Designer Nate Berkus' Oral Health Routine
      • January (2)
        • Eating Disorders Can Cause Problems With the Teeth and Mouth
        • Catherine Zeta-Jones' Award-Winning Smile
  • 2013
      • December (2)
        • Consider all the Cost Factors When Deciding on a Crown Restoration
        • Olivia Newton-John Learned Healthy Oral Habits From Mom
      • November (2)
        • Top 5 Tips for Teething Tots
        • Tooth-Colored Fillings Are the Restoration of Choice for Ballroom Dance Star Cheryl Burke
      • October (2)
        • Cosmetic Dental Options - Time For Change
        • Lea Michele's Wise Dental Decision
      • September (2)
        • Warning: Chewing Tobacco IS Hazardous to Your Oral Health
        • Maria Menounos Discusses Diabetes, Diet And Dental Sealants
      • August (2)
        • Bonding: A Good Choice for Repairing Damaged or Chipped Teeth in Youngsters
        • Fixing Adult Teeth Is No Mission Impossible - Just Ask Tom Cruise!
      • July (2)
        • Warning Signs of Gum Disease
        • Did You Know? Matinee Idol James Dean Had False Front Teeth!
      • June (1)
        • Evolutions in Tooth-Colored Fillings
      • May (2)
        • Hilary Duff's Chipped Front Teeth Repaired with Veneers
        • Confusing Tooth Pain
      • April (2)
        • Did You Know? Major League Baseball Players Have New Restrictions on Chewing Tobacco
        • Get a Whiter, Brighter Smile
      • March (1)
        • Olivia Newton-John Recalls Daughter's Teething Troubles
      • February (2)
        • Facts You Should Know About Tooth Wear
        • Cat Cora's 6 Ways to Keep Kids Off Junk Food
      • January (2)
        • Do You Need A Smile Makeover?
        • From Model to Mogul, Kathy Ireland Maintains a Sparkling Smile
  • 2012
      • December (2)
        • The Importance of Mouthguards - Do You Know the Facts?
        • How The Biggest Loser Star Jillian Michaels Keeps Her Winning Smile
      • November (1)
        • Welcome to Our Blog

Tags

  • celebrity smiles (29)
  • sports dentistry (1)
  • oral health (12)
  • mouthguards (1)
  • dental injuries (1)
  • smile makeover (3)
  • cosmetic dentistry (11)
  • nutrition (1)
  • tooth wear (2)
  • pediatric dentistry (3)
  • teething (2)
  • teeth whitening (1)
  • oral cancer (2)
  • tooth pain (1)
  • veneers (1)
  • porcelain veneers (2)
  • tooth colored fillings (1)
  • dental fillings (1)
  • periodontal disease (2)
  • gum disease (3)
  • orthodontic treatment (1)
  • braces (4)
  • chipped tooth (1)
  • bonding (1)
  • diabetes (1)
  • sealants (1)
  • wisdom teeth (1)
  • crown (2)
  • eating disorders (1)
  • fluoride (1)
  • floss (1)
  • dental implants (5)
  • dentures (2)
  • bad breath (1)
  • dental care (1)
  • dental injury (1)
  • dental hygienist (2)
  • oral hygiene (4)
  • bridge (1)
  • dental exam (1)
  • smoking (1)
  • dental hygiene (1)
  • tooth decay (1)
  • clear aligners (1)
  • orthodontics (1)
  • retainer (1)
  • pediatric care (1)
  • pregnancy (1)
  • tmd (1)
  • tmj (1)
  • tooth grinding (1)

Categories:

  • Oral Health (31)
  • Dental Procedures (26)

 

Our Location

39520 Woodward Avenue
Suite 105
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304
248-430-6331
Office Hours
Monday: 10:00 AM - 07:00 PM
Tuesday: 07:30 AM - 03:00 PM
Wednesday: 07:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Thursday: 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Friday:

By Appointment

Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed
  • Home
  • Staff
  • Office
  • Services
  • New Patients
  • Patient Education
  • Smile Gallery
  • Login To Your Account
  • Dental Web Design Copyright © MH Sub I, LLC dba Officite
  • Disclaimer
  • Patient Privacy
  • Site Map