Do you have Halitosis?
Have you noticed or has someone told you that you have bad breath?  Halitosis (the medical term for bad breath) can embarass you.  It can also affect how other people think about you.  Here are some of the most common causes of bad breath.

Bacteria Food particles left in your mouth afer a meal combine with bacteria to reate a bad odor.  Bacteria often collect on teh back of your tongue.
Gum Disease Gun disease is an infection of the gums.  The infection can also cause bad breath.
Dry Mouth Saliva cleanses your mouth, washing away many odor-causing bacteria.  A dry mouth means to little saliva.  This can lead to bad breath.  Your mouth may become dry when you sleep, if you don't drink enough fluids, or because of certain medications.
Certain Foods Some types of food and drink can cause bad breath.  These include garlic, onions, fish, cabbage, coffee, and alcohol.
Tobacco Smoking or chewing tobacco can make your breath smell.  This bad breath stays with you even when you're not smoking or chewing.
Other Causes There are other causes of bad breath.  Braces, dentures, and other mouth gear may smell if not kept clean.  Certain medical problems may cause bad breath.  Sinus problems that cause drainage into the throat may sometimes lead to mouth odor.  And, in general, bad breath becomes more of a problem as you age.

Your Dentist Can Help
Your dentist can look for a cause of bad breat that can be treated.  If a cause is found, treatment may improve your breath.

Finding the Cause
Some people think they have bad breath when they don't.  First, your dentist confirms that you do have bad breath.  Then, he or she looks for causes.  You're checked for gum disease adn asked questions about foods you eat, any medications you take, and how you care for your teeth.

Possible Treatments
If a problem such as gum disease is found, your dentist can help treat it.  You may also be referred to another dental ormedical specialist for evaluation and treatment.  Sometimes, no cause is found that can be treated.  In this case, your dentist can suggest things that may help fight bad breath.

What You Can Do
You can do some simple things to help avoid bad breath.  First, brush after each meal and floss every day.  Then, try some of these other tips.

Brush Your Tongue Brush your tongue (or use a special tongue scraper) to clean off food and odor-causing bacteria.  Brush as far back as you can.
Keep a Moist Mouth Drink plenty of water and rinse your mouth with water every so often to keep saliva flowing.  Chewing sugarless gun can also help.
Make Diet Changes Try to avoid foods that can cause bad-smelling breath.
Stop Smoking If you smoke or chew tobacco, quit.  You'll be amazed how much better your breath will smell.