A. In over 90% of people with chronic bad breath, the cause is bacteria in the mouth. These bacteria are found primarily on the back of the tongue, often harbored under several layers of mucus.
The bacteria interact with other substances and produce volatile sulfur compounds -- the culprits that cause the odor associated with chronic bad breath.

Chronic bad breath may also be associated with periodontal disease, a disease of the gums. In these cases the bacteria may be found in pockets between the gums and teeth.

Q. Can bad breath be caused by food?

A. Yes. Eating foods such as onions or garlic may result in temporary bad breath. That is different from chronic bad breath which is caused by bacteria.

Q. Can certain illnesses or medications cause bad breath?

A. On rare occasions bad breath can be a symptom of a more serious disease, but the vast majority of cases are due to oral bacteria. Some medications cause dryness in the mouth, and that can contribute to bad breath.

Proper testing can identify the source of your bad breath.

Q. Will brushing and flossing teeth help eliminate bad breath?

A. The bacteria that cause bad breath cannot be brushed away. Specialized treatment is required to rid the mouth of these bacteria.

Q. How helpful are mouthwashes and breath mints?

A. Mouthwashes, breath mints and gum cover up bad breath. They don’t eliminate it. Most of these products work for only a few minutes at best. Some mouthwashes can actually make breath malodor worse because their alcohol content can increase bacterial activity.

Q. Why do some people have bad breath while others don’t?

A. With all the research that’s been done on bad breath, we still don’t know why some people accummulate more bacteria than others. We do know that it is not related to oral hygiene or health.