All of us have experienced bad breath at some point. However, suffering from chronic bad breath, or halitosis, can be embarrassing and affect your self-esteem and relationships with family, friends and coworkers. The good news -- bad breath is often preventable and easily treated.
If you find yourself regularly using mints, gum or mouthwash to mask the odor of bad breath, the Pennsylvania Dental Association (PDA) recommends talking to your dentist. Through an exam, he or she can determine if your bad breath is the result of an unhealthy mouth and recommend treatment options.
"People tend to like dogs, even ones with bad breath. They simply chalk it up to a dog being a dog," said Dr. Constance Wilson, a PDA member and general dentist from Lewisburg. "However, when we non-canines emit bad breath, the reception tends to be quite different. Fortunately, many times bad breath can be treated by a simple visit to the dentist."
There are many causes of bad breath, including: