Breath odor

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Bad breath; Halitosis

Use proper dental hygiene (especially flossing), and remember that mouthwashes are not effective in treating the underlying problem.

Fresh parsley or a strong mint are often effective ways to fight temporary bad breath. Avoid smoking. Otherwise, follow prescribed therapy to treat the underlying cause.

• Breath odor persists and there is not an obvious cause (such as smoking or eating odor-causing foods).
• You have breath odor and signs of a respiratory infection, such as fever, cough, or face pain with discharge from the nose

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Your doctor will take a medical history and perform a physical examination.

You may be asked the following medical history questions:

• Is there a specific odor?
• Is there a fishy smell?
• Does the breath smell like ammonia or urine?
• Does the breath smell like fruit or is there a sweet-chemical smell?
• Does the breath smell like feces?
• Does the breath smell like alcohol?
• Have you recently eaten a spicy meal, garlic, cabbage, or other "odorous" food?
• Do you take vitamin supplements?
• Do you smoke?
• Does good oral hygiene improve the odor?
• What home care measures have you tried? How effective are they?
• Is there a recent sore throat, sinus infection, tooth abscess, or other illness?
• What other symptoms do you have?

The physical examination will include a thorough examination of the mouth and the nose. A throat culture may be taken if you have a sore throat or mouth sores.

In rare cases, diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

• Blood tests to screen for diabetes or kidney failure
• Endoscopy (EGD)
• X-ray of the abdomen
• X-ray of the chest

Antibiotics may be prescribed for some conditions. For an object in the nose, the doctor will use an instrument to remove it.

Review Date: 02/22/2010
Reviewed By: Jack D Rosenberg, DDS, Advanced Dental Care, Palm Beach Gardens, FL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, M.D., MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).