Approximately 1 in 5 people complain of bad breath or halitosis. Bad breath is often times caused by poor oral hygiene or from the foods people eat. Naturally occurring bacteria that build up on your teeth as well as your tongue and gums can produce unpleasant odors. Some of these bacteria are also responsible for gum disease and cavities.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can be another cause of bad breath originating from the stomach. This is caused by acids coming back up the esophagus, causing a burning sensation in your throat. If this acid gets into the oral cavity it can cause bad breath and acid erosion of teeth. Bad breath can also originate from not having enough food in the stomach.

Smoking and chewing tobacco can cause bad breath.

The medical condition called dry mouth (xerostomia) occurs when people do not produce enough saliva. Saliva production is the natural way your body cleans the inside of your mouth, teeth and gums. Many medications can lead to dry mouth along with treatments for diseases such as cancer. Other conditions related to the salivary glands function can result in lack of saliva production such as blockage of the ducts or formation of salivary stones.

Other diseases or illnesses can also cause bad breath, including but not limited to respiratory tract infections like pneumonia, bronchitis, postnasal drip, and sinus infections.  

Certain remedies are obvious to reduce or eliminate bad breath depending on the cause. Brushing your teeth regularly, flossing, and scraping your tongue all reduce bacteria that cause bad breath. The only way to make sure that you have good oral hygiene is to visit your dentist regularly. Visiting your dentist will help determine if you are maintaining good oral hygiene, if you have gum disease, or if you have problems with your teeth.

Drinking water will help keep odor under control because it helps move those acids through the digestive tract. Eating healthy snacks will also help settle down odors from the stomach.

Over the counter remedies such as mouth rinses, toothpastes, and sugar free chewing gums all can help. Regular brushing and flossing removes bacteria and plaque from teeth and gums. One of the newest products on the market to combat bad breath is EverSmile WhitenFresh. Unlike other breath fresheners, WhitenFresh uses patent-pending hydrogen peroxide and surfactant technology to kill bacteria that cause bad breath, gingivitis, and tooth decay. The gentle WhitenFresh formula is sprayed into the mouth up to four times per day, each time reducing the number of the bacteria and odor causing molecules. WhitenFresh can be used when on the go and makes an incredible added benefit to daily brushing and flossing routines. An additional benefit derived from using WhitenFresh is that it also whitens teeth.