Bad Breath (Halitosis)

In most cases of persistent bad breath, the smell comes from a build up of bacteria within the mouth - in food debris, plaque and gum disease, or in a 'coating' on the back of the tongue. Good oral hygiene will often solve the problem. That is, regular teeth brushing, flossing, cleaning the tongue, and antiseptic mouthwashes. Other causes of persistent bad breath are uncommon.

Bad breath, sometimes called halitosis, means that you have an unpleasant smell on your breath that other people notice when you speak or breathe out. The exact number of people with bad breath is not known, but it is common.

Children as young or two or three can have bad breath from postnasal drip, dental plaque and transient throat infections. However, if they develop sudden offensive odor that appears to come from all over their body, ask the physician to check whether they stuffed something up one of their nostrils
Some people have experienced small crumbly 'stones' in their mouths that have a foul smell. These are called 'tonsilloliths'. They are partially calcified, full of bacteria and develop in crypts in the tonsils. They smell pretty bad, but do not always cause bad breath.