Am I At Risk Of Having Bad Breath?

Do you have poor dental hygiene (you don't brush and floss daily)?

Do you smoke or chew tobacco?

Do you regularly eat certain food, such as onions, garlic, spicy foods, exotic spices (such as curry), various cheeses or fish?

Do you wear a denture that you do not clean regularly or a denture that doesn’t fit properly?

Do you have dry mouth?

Do you have a tooth decay, gum disease or mouth sores?

Do you have surgical wounds after oral surgery?

Do you have inflammation in your mouth (tonsils), nose or throat?

Do you have a chronic reflux of stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD)?

Do you have a low carb diet?

Do you take medications such as antihistamines to treat allergies, or diuretics (“water pills”)

Based on your answers you have a low risk of having bad breath. Bad breath refers to an unpleasant odor from the mouth. The medical term for bad breath is halitosis. Often, a person may have trouble judging how their own breath smells, so it is not uncommon for a person to have bad breath without even being aware of it. There are many different causes of bad breath, and even a completely healthy person with good oral hygiene can occasionally have it. Food is one of the common causes of bad breath; it can get stuck in the teeth, promoting the growth of bacteria.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of having bad breath. Bad breath is characterized by an unpleasant smell coming from your mouth. It can occur occasionally or it can be an ongoing problem. Bad breath can be eliminated by changing habits in oral hygiene. Try brushing your teeth and tongue after eating, flossing at least once a day and increase your fluid intake. Reducing caffeine can also contribute to increased saliva production which will boost the breath freshness. Smokers have a very characteristic bad breath, so smoking cessation can solve the problem. In case of persistent bad breath problems, you should consult a dentist.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of having bad breath. Bad breath or halitosis is a common problem that everyone can experience at some point in their life.