Halitosis, also called bad breath, is as an offensive odor emanating from the oral cavity. Bad breath is a common pet odor complaint. Causes are commonly related to the mouth and rarely related to other health problems.

Yes. The combination of cleaning by hand (mechanical cleaning), chemical neutralisation of smells and antibacterial action of specific medicaments will deal with any bad breath problem caused in the mouth.

The most likely cause is the chemical breakdown of proteins in food and saliva by a variety of micro-organisms (bacteria). The offensive odours are due to volatile sulphur compounds (VSC's) including hydrogen sulphide (H2S), methyl mercaptonm (CH3SH) and dimethyl sulphide (CH3SCH3). H2S is produced mainly off the top surface of the tongue and CH3SH and CH3SCH3 enrich the mal odour from the gums immediately round the teeth (Periodontal Tissues).

We recommend our Fresh Breath Kit which features 6 dedicated and specifically chosen products for you to use at home to treat halitosis. These include special brushes to clean around and particularly between your teeth, a tongue cleaner, an oxidant mouth spray to neutralise odours and a toothpaste designed specifically to act on bacteria which cause the release of VSC (Volatile Sulphur Compound). Please see our Fresh Breath kit page for more information.

The most common cause of halitosis is periodontal disease caused by plaque (bacteria). Bacteria is attracted to the tooth surface within hours of teeth cleaning. Within days, the plaque becomes mineralized producing calculus. As plaque ages and gingivitis develops into periodontitis (bone loss), bacteria changes from somewhat irritating strains to bone destroying types which produce hydrogen sulfide causing halitosis.

Periodontal disease is painful. Some dogs and cats will have problems chewing hard food, others will paw at their mouths. Unfortunately most will not show any signs.

Halitosis is easily diagnosed by smelling your dog or cats breath. If there is a disagreeable odor, halitosis is present. A veterinarian examination is necessary to diagnose the specific cause of bad breath. If the diagnosis is not obvious after oral examination, blood tests will be taken to check for internal disease.

Halitosis treatment depends on the cause. There are four recognized stages of periodontal disease. The first two (early gingivitis and advanced gingivitis) are treated by professional teeth cleaning. As the disease advances bone loss occurs causing periodontitis which may require surgery or tooth extraction. Antibiotics may be used to destroy bacteria causing periodontal disease and halitosis. Often the antibiotics are used in a pulse therapy fashion (given the first five days of each month).

Once the underlying disease has been treated, halitosis will disappear. If due to periodontal disease, daily tooth brushing will help maintain good oral health and sweet breath. If you have any questions about the site, or are referencing it in an article or other website, please notify the webmaster.

Saliva is the key ingredient in your mouth that helps keep halitosis from developint. It does this by washing away food particles and bacteria, the primary cause of bad breath. When you sleep, your salivary glands slow down the production of saliva allowing the bacteria to grow inside the mouth. Brushing your teach should get rid of the odor. However, if you skip breakfast, the bad odor may reappear.

The ADA cannot vouch for the claims the manufacturers of halitosis kits make. If you are concerned about their safety and effectiveness, you can ask your dentist if the products in the kit will be useful for you. Many antiseptic mouthrinse products, however, have been accepted by the ADA for their therapeutic benefits in reducing plaque and gingivitis and also have breath freshening properties.

Approximately 25% of the propulation has chronic bad breath according to the report "Oral Health of U.S. Adults" published by the National Institute of Dental Research at the National Institute of Health (NIH).

Halitosis is bad or sour smelling breath. Bad breath can be acute (short term) or chronic (long term) depending on the cause. It may indicate the need to clean the teeth and mouth more often, tooth or gum disease, or intestinal disorders. Consult your dentist and/or physician if the condition persists.

Avoid spicy foods and those that leave residues or get stuck in the teeth (alcohol, cheese, meat, sweets).

Halitosis can be caused by dry mouth poor dental hygiene, gum disease, certain foods, and tobacco or alcohol use. Treatment for halitosis includes a thorough cleaning. If halitosis still persists, other treatments may be discussed.

Dr. Mortensen feels that while bad breath might be a symptom of some other disorder, it most likely stems from dental decay and periodontal disease. Periodontitis is a disease affecting gums and bone that support the teeth, and it results from inadequate tooth brushing and flossing. In this disease, the irritated gums pull away from the teeth and form pockets between the teeth and the gums. These pockets fill with bacteria and pus, which give off a foul odor.

Many people all over the world are plagued by bad breath. This can be extremely embarrassing, and victims of halitosis suffer, especially if they have tried everything to eliminate their halitosis. Periodontitis is an advanced tooth disease. It is usually caused by poor oral hygiene. Periodontitis refers to the group of inflammatory diseases affecting the tissues that surround and support the teeth.