Bad breath - What will happen?

The treatment you'll need for bad breath depends on what's causing it. Some kinds of bad breath go away on their own, or when you brush your teeth. But for some kinds of bad breath, you'll need to see your dentist or doctor.

For example, you can get bad breath if you eat strong-smelling foods, such as onions. This is temporary, and nothing to worry about. It will go away in a little while, and more quickly if you clean your teeth, rinse your mouth or chew sugar-free gum.

But you can also get bad breath because of bacteria in your mouth, gum disease or a medical condition. These things may need treatment.

The first thing many people do is try something themselves to get rid of bad breath. We didn't find any research to say whether these things help, but you may want to try:[1] [2]

Stopping smoking
Avoiding spicy or strong-smelling food
Chewing sugar-free gum regularly
Eating regularly. But remember that snacking, especially on sugary foods, isn't very good for your teeth
Eating breakfast every day. It's a good idea to include some fresh fruit. Pineapple contains an enzyme that helps clean your mouth
Using mouthwash, tablets or a spray designed to fight bad breath
Chewing fresh parsley, mint, cloves or fennel seeds.

If your breath doesn't get any better after trying these things, you may decide to visit your dentist. Most of the time, your dentist will be able to give you all the help you need.

If you have bad breath caused by bacteria on your tongue, your dentist will probably advise you to clean your teeth more thoroughly and use a mouthwash.[3] To read more, see Oral hygiene.

Some people get bad breath because they don't make enough saliva. If a dry mouth is causing your bad breath, your dentist may prescribe artificial saliva.[4] This comes as a lozenge you suck, a spray or a gel. Or your dentist may suggest you suck sugarless sweets and drink more fluids.

If you have really bad breath that doesn't improve with self-treatment, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic called metronidazole. Some brand names are Flagyl and Metrolyl.[1] Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria.

If you have bad breath caused by gum disease, you'll need to improve your oral hygiene. But your dentist will also need to treat the underlying problem. To read more, see Treatments for gum disease.

If your bad breath turns out to be caused by an infection or another medical condition, you'll need to see your doctor.[5]

If your dentist can't find any sign of bad breath, they will reassure you that your breath is perfectly acceptable.[6]

If you're still really worried about having bad breath, even after you've been reassured by your dentist, you may have a condition called halitophobia. This is a strong fear of having bad breath, even though your breath actually smells fine. As with any kind of phobia, a psychologist or psychiatrist will be able to help you.[3]

References

Coventry J, Griffiths G, Scully C, et al. ABC of oral health: periodontal disease. BMJ. 2000; 321: 36-39.
Scully C, Rosenberg M. Halitosis. Dental Update. 2003; 30: 205-210.
Sanz M, Roldan S, Herrera D. Fundamentals of breath malodour. Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice. 2001; 4: 1-17.
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research. Periodontal (gum) disease: causes, symptoms and treatments. September 2006. NIH publication 02-1142. Available at http://www.nidcr.nih.gov/HealthInformation/DiseasesAndConditions (accessed on 23 August 2007).
Yaegaki K, Coil JM. Examination, classification and treatment of halitosis: clinical perspectives. Journal of the Canadian Dental Association. 2000; 66: 257-261.
Karnoutsos K, Blioumi E. Halitosis: aetiology, diagnosis and treatrment. Hippokratia. 2005; 9: 3-6.

Glossary

bacteria: Bacteria are tiny organisms. There are lots of different types. Some are harmful and can cause disease. But some bacteria live in your body without causing any harm.
infection: You get an infection when an , such as a or , gets into a part of your body where it shouldn't be. These organisms are so tiny that you can't see them without a microscope. An infection in your nose and airways causes the common cold. An infection in your skin can cause rashes such as athlete's foot.
phobia: If you have a phobia of something, you are much more afraid of it than would be expected. You could have a phobia about things (such as dogs) or activities (such as going out in public). Phobias can make you feel panicky. They can also make your heart race or give you an upset stomach.
enzymes: Enzymes are chemicals in the body. They have lots of different effects including playing a part in helping to digest food and starting other chemical reactions that keep the body working.
psychologist: A psychologist is trained to study the human mind and human behaviour. A clinical psychologist provides mental health care in hospitals, clinics, schools or to private patients.
psychiatrist: A psychiatrist is a doctor who specialises in psychiatry. Psychiatry is the branch of medicine that covers mental, emotional or behavioural problems.

This information does not replace medical advice. If you are concerned you might have a medical problem please ask your Boots pharmacy team in your local Boots store, or see your doctor.