What can be done for bad breath?

Question

Hello doctor,

I have bad breath. I use mint and mouth freshener but they only last for an hour or two. I brushes a couple of times a day, nothing seems to be working. I have sinus and acidity problem too.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Bad breath is a common and a very irritating symptom of patients seeking dentist's help. Mint and mouth freshener are only short-term solutions. The long-term and permanent solution is to fight the reason that causes halitosis (the scientific term for bad breath).

Bad breath can be caused by dental caries, oral infections or excessive tartar and plaque accumulation. Have you had your mouth checked by a dentist lately? Sinus problems such as chronic sinusitis is also a suitable reason for bad breath. In that case, sinus secretion stagnates, bacterias grow and as it flows on the back of your throat it causes a bad breath. Fixing this problem only can solve the bad breath problem. High stomach acidity and gastroesophageal reflux of stomach liquids can also cause a bad breath (although this is less likely to happen at your age and BMI).

So what you need to do is to check your mouth for caries and oral plaque and tartar and have your sinus problem treated efficiently by an otorhinolaryngologist. Also, maintain your thorough brushing twice a day and do not forget to brush your tongue too because it is a place where bacteria grow. Use mint and mouth freshener too when it is needed as a short-term solution till the problem is solved.