Bad Breath
Alternate Names : Halitosis, Fetor Oris
What can be done to prevent the symptom?
Prevention of bad breath starts with good oral hygiene. People should brush
twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss teeth daily. Removable dentures
should be taken out at night, cleaned, and soaked overnight. Mouthwash is not
an effective treatment for bad breath, since it hides the real cause. Mouthwash
can also irritate the tissue in the mouth. Mouthwash and breath mints are only
temporary solutions and may mask more serious problems. Also, some breath mints
may contain sugars, which can cause cavities.
Someone in good health may have bad breath at times, such as in the morning
after a long sleep. However, a person with persistent bad breath should see a
healthcare professional.
What are the long-term effects of the disease?
Bad breath itself has no long-term effects. However, underlying
disease, such as diabetes,
can
cause significant problems if it goes untreated.
What are the risks to others?
Bad breath is not contagious and poses no risk to others.
However, an underlying disorder such as AIDS may be highly
contagious.
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