Common "Bad Breath" queries answered by top doctors | iCliniq

Bad Breath

Bad breath, otherwise called halitosis, is not necessarily caused due to poor oral hygiene. Some food items, smoking, dry mouth, dental infections, ENT (ear, nose, throat) infections, acid reflux, not cleaning the tongue properly, etc., can also cause bad breath.

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I am a 35-year-old female suffering from halitosis. Please help.

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 35-year-old female. Could you please explain what halitosis is and what causes it? I am interested in understanding both the common and less common factors that contribute to bad breath. I maintain a regular oral hygiene routine, including brushing, flossing, and using mouthwash....  Read Full »


Dr. Bharat Joshi

Answer: Hello,Welcome to icliniq.com.Halitosis is due to both intraoral and systemic reasons. Intraoral include dental caries, periodontitis, or sinusitis. Systemic include kidney, liver, or gastrointestinal disorders. For systemic diagnosis, corresponding tests are required, while for dental reasons, organ...  Read Full »

I have bad breath and taste in my mouth. Please help.

Query: Hi doctor, I have a persistent bad breath and bad taste in my mouth. I have excellent oral hygiene, and my dentist said my teeth and gums are all healthy. My doctor said that it could be sinus drainage, but I have dealt with this for years even when I have no drainage. It is ruining my personal life...  Read Full »


Dr. Mehak Agarwal

Answer: Hi,Welcome to icliniq.com.Did you get any CT scan of your sinuses done before to rule out sinusitis? Yes, sinusitis can cause such symptoms and to rule out that a CT scan is needed. Sinusitis also does nose block, headache, and post-nasal drip. So if you have any of these symptoms, then it can be du...  Read Full »

Why do I have a bad breath that smells like kerosene?

Query: Hello doctor, People say my breath smells like what they can best describe as kerosene. What could be the cause of this? Should I be worried?  Read Full »


Dr. Geethanjali. S. S

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I read your query and can understand your concern. 1. Bad breath is not just due to poor oral hygiene but could also be due to the involvement of other internal organs like the nasal sinus, and gastrointestinal tract. 2. You have mentioned that your breath smells like...  Read Full »

My wife's breath smell like alcohol after taking meds. Why?

Query: Hello doctor, My wife has taken Ambien 5 mg, once or twice a week to get to sleep after a difficult day at work. She used to take the 5 mg without any problems, for almost a year. A couple of months ago, she started a course of Accutane. At first, she took 20 mg per day, now it is down to 10 mg per...  Read Full »


Dr. Saraswat Kumarshri Shriniwas

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The symptoms are most likely due to an interaction between Accutane (Isotretinoin) and Ambien (Zolpidem). This could increase the levels of Ambien in the blood immediately after taking it. The symptoms are highly suggestive of an allergic reaction. She could either be ...  Read Full »

I have bad breath despite flossing and brushing. Why?

Query: Dear Doctor, I am 16 years old. I floss, brush every morning and night and use a tongue cleaner too. But still suffer from bad breath the whole day. Please help me.  Read Full »


Dr. Tooba Qazi

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Do not worry. After following these tips you will feel better and get rid of bad breath by 2 weeks. Start using chlorhexidine mouthwash thrice a day for 4 weeks. Do saline water mouth rinses (take lukewarm water in a small cup and add 1/4th teaspoon salt in it),...  Read Full »

Why do I have foul smell in my mouth? What can be done?

Query: Hello doctor,I have been experiencing a foul smell in my mouth for a few years. This may be due to an unclean stomach. Please, can you prescribe me some medication to clean my stomach? Also, whatever I eat does not nourish my body. Can I know the reason?  Read Full »


Dr. Srivastava, Sumit

Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Bad breath or halitosis most commonly originates from the oral cavity or nasal passages. Periodontal disease, caries, acute forms of gingivitis, poorly fitting dentures, oral abscess, tongue coating, and sinusitis are common causes. It can also originate from the ...  Read Full »

I have had tooth pain and bad breath. How to get rid of it?

Query: Hi doctor,I am a female of 18-year-old, height 150 cm, and weight 170 kg. I have been having tooth pain for the past three days. It hurts while swallowing and have bad breath. I am currently taking Acetaminophen, Codeine, and Amoxil.   Read Full »


Dr. Achanta Krishna Swaroop

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your medications are on point, but which tooth is paining exactly. From which segment, upper or lower tooth, are you having pain? Please let me know. You can start first with lukewarm salt water rinsing several times a day for up to 10 days. I suggest using a 1) Chlor...  Read Full »

How to manage tooth pain, bleeding gums, and a bad taste?

Query: Hello doctor,I am a 46-year-old male. My height is five feet six inches and my weight is 80 Kg. For the past two days, I am finding pain in my teeth and blood comes out when I brush my teeth as well. Sometimes, I feel a bad taste in my mouth as well.Would you please guide me on the medication?  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to iclniq.com. You seem to have an abscess in either the periapical or periodontal region. Please send a picture of the area causing pain and bleeding for more details. Use warm salt water gargle twice a day for a week. Either go see a dentist immediately or send some pictures. Yo...  Read Full »

Swollen gums with bad smell from drilled teeth.

Query: Hello doctor, My bottom teeth were drilled for a root canal but after drilling doctor told that my teeth have a split and he filled that hole with a cavity. From the past one year, my gum was swollen and bad smell is coming out from that teeth. From the past one month, I have had bumps on my back of...  Read Full »


Dr. Geethanjali. S. S

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com I have read your complaint and the relevant details. My first question would be did you not visit back the dentist after the filling has been done? Because you are already informed that it has a split deep under which means the treatment cannot be just a filling. I wonde...  Read Full »

I have a few symptoms after wisdom tooth extraction. Kindly help.

Query: Hi doctor, I got my wisdom teeth removed a few days ago. One side of the extraction site is not stitched and is quite deep. And also, there is a white bone or something inside the hole. Is that normal? My gum near the extraction site is white. Are white gums normal? My tongue has a yellowish or whi...  Read Full »


Dr. Naveen Thomas

Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. Thank you for your query, Seeing a whitish blood clot inside the wisdom tooth socket is normal. Please do not touch the area, and allow it to heal. I advise you to do a warm salt water gargle twice a day for a week. Currently, the chances of getting a dry socket are very ...  Read Full »

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