An estimated 25% of people suffer from bad breath. There are various potential causes of halitosis, but most are related to poor oral hygiene.

It is also referred to as halitosis or fetor oris. Halitosis can create a great deal of stress, shame, and anxiety, but it is extremely simple to treat.

Fast facts on bad breath
Here are some important facts concerning foul breath. The main article contains additional information and details.
• It is estimated that one in every four persons worldwide suffers from bad breath.
• Poor oral hygiene is the most common source of halitosis.
• Food particles left in the mouth are brokeb down by bacteria and they generate sulfur compounds.
• Keeping your mouth hydrated can help to decrease mouth odor.
•Brushing, flossing, and hydration are the most effective treatments for bad breath.

What is halitosis?
Bad breath is a widespread issue that can result in substantial psychological suffering. There are various possible reasons and treatments.

Bad breath can affect anyone. It is estimated that one in every four people has foul breath regularly.
After tooth decay and gum disease, halitosis is the third most prevalent reason people seek dental care.

Simple home treatments and lifestyle modifications can frequently eliminate the problem, such as better oral hygiene and stopping smoking. If foul breath persists, it is best to see a doctor to rule out any underlying issues.

Treatment
Good dental hygiene is the most effective way to reduce halitosis. This prevents cavities and minimizes the chance of gum disease. People are advised to visit the dentist twice a year for a check-up and cleaning. The dentist may advise you to use antimicrobial toothpaste or antibacterial mouthwash. Alternatively, if gum disease is prevalent, professional cleaning may be required to remove bacteria accumulated in pockets between the gums and teeth.

Causes
Potential causes of bad breath include:
•    Tobacco: Tobacco products generate many sorts of mouth odors. They also raise the risk of gum disease, leading to poor breath.
•    Food: Foul smell can be caused by the breakdown of food particles caught in the teeth. Foods, such as onions and garlic, also contribute to bad breath. After digestion, their breakdown products are transported in the blood to the lungs, where they can impair breathing.
•    Dry mouth: Saliva cleans the mouth naturally. Odors can accumulate in the mouth if it is naturally dry or dry due to a specific condition, such as xerostomia.
•    Dental hygiene: Brushing and flossing remove microscopic food particles that might accumulate and slowly degrade, generating odor. Suppose brushing is not done regularly; a coating of germs known as plaque forms. This plaque can irritate the gums and develop periodontitis or inflammation between the teeth and gums. Dentures that are not cleaned correctly or regularly might house bacteria that cause halitosis.
•    Crash diets: Fasting and low-carbohydrate diets can cause halitosis. This is caused by the breakdown of fats, which produce molecules known as ketones. The smell of these ketones is quite intense.
•    Drugs: Certain medications can diminish saliva and thus increase scents. Other medicines can emit smells when they degrade and release substances into the body. Examples are nitrates used to treat angina, some chemotherapeutic compounds, and some tranquilizers, such as phenothiazines. People who consume significant amounts of vitamin supplements may also suffer from bad breath.
•    Mouth, nose, and throat problems: Small, bacteria-covered stones can grow on the tonsils near the back of the throat, causing odor. Infections in the nose, throat, or sinuses can also result in halitosis.
•    Foreign body: If a foreign body becomes trapped in a child's nasal cavity, it might produce bad breath.
•    Diseases: Certain malignancies, liver failure, and other metabolic illnesses can produce halitosis due to chemical combinations. Due to the continuous reflux of stomach acids, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) can create mouth odor.

Rarer causes of bad breath
Bad oral hygiene is the most common cause of foul breath, although other factors can also be to fault.

Rarer reasons for bad breath include: 
• Ketoacidosis: When a diabetic's insulin levels are low, their body can no longer use sugar and begin to use fat storage instead. Ketones are created and built up as fat is broken down. Ketones can be toxic and generate an unpleasant breath odor when discovered in large quantities. Ketoacidosis is a severe and sometimes fatal illness.
• Bowel obstruction: If there has been a protracted period of vomiting, the breath may smell like feces, especially if a bowel blockage is present.
• Bronchiectasis: is a long-term disorder in which the airways become wider than usual, allowing mucus to build up and cause bad breath.
• Aspiration pneumonia: An infection or swelling of the lungs or airways caused by inhaling vomit, saliva, food, or liquids.

Symptoms
The stench of one's breath can differ depending on the condition's cause. It is better to have a close friend or relative examine your mouth odor because assessing yourself can be challenging. If no one is accessible, you can test the smell by licking your wrist, letting it dry, and sniffing it. You most certainly have halitosis if you have a foul smell on your wrist. Even if they have no or slight mouth odor, some people are anxious about their breath. This is known as halitophobia, which can lead to excessive mouth-cleaning behavior.

Natural cures
Other lousy breath home treatments and lifestyle modifications include:
•    Brush your teeth at least twice every day, preferably after each meal.
•    Floss: Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between the teeth. Brushing only cleans about 60% of the tooth's surface.
•    Clean dentures: Everything that goes into your mouth, including dentures, bridges, and mouth guards, should be cleaned daily. Cleaning keeps bacteria from accumulating and being transported back into the mouth. It is important to replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months.
•    Brush your tongue: Bacteria, food, and dead cells typically accumulate on the tongue, particularly in smokers and those who have dry mouths. A tongue scraper can be helpful.
•    Avoid dry mouth: Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth. Avoid drinking alcohol and smoking, both of which dry the mouth. Chewing gum or sucking on a sugar-free sweet can help promote saliva production. A doctor may prescribe medicine to promote saliva flow if the mouth is habitually dry.
•    Diet: Stay away from onions, garlic, and spicy foods. Sugary foods are also associated with poor breath. Reduce coffee and alcohol consumption. Eating gritty foods for breakfast can help clean the back of the tongue.

If breath odor persists despite reducing these factors, a person should see a doctor for additional tests to rule out other problems.

Diagnosis
When a person has suspected halitosis, a dentist will often smell their breath and grade the odor on a six-point scale. The dentist may scrape the back of the tongue and smell the scrapings because this area is frequently a source of the odor. There are several advanced detectors available that can rate odor more precisely.

Among them are the following:
• Halimeter: This device detects low sulfur levels.
• Gas chromatography: This test determines the concentrations of three volatile sulfur compounds: hydrogen sulfide, methyl mercaptan, and dimethyl sulfide.
• The BANA test detects the presence of a specific enzyme generated by halitosis-causing bacteria.
• Beta-galactosidase test: It has been discovered that levels of the enzyme beta-galactosidase correspond with mouth odor.

The dentist will then be able to determine the most likely cause of the bad breath.