Bad breath can be a problem for anyone. There's a multitude of factors that can cause bad breath. Fortunately there's a lot of things you can do about it. Dr. Arthur W. Weiss 10553 Riverside Drive Toluca Lake, CA 91602-2440 (818) 762-0694 www.arthurweissdds.com

1. Bad Breath (halitosis)
The cause of bad breath can sometimes be difficult to identify. However,
dental decay, gum disorders, poor oral hygiene, throat infection and catarrh
can all contribute to this extremely unpleasant condition.
Although it can also be caused by certain stomach problems, as a general
rule halitosis usually emanates from the mouth, so consultation with your
dentist will help to identify and hopefully eliminate the problem.
Alcohol tends to dry out the mouth which in turn reduces the formation of
saliva. As alcohol can also cause some stomach problems, this may result in
bad breath.
Peridontal disease occurs more frequently in people who smoke, so this can
also be the cause of a bad breath problem.
Indigestion, constipation, dieting can all be contributing factors to bad
breath, so your lifestyle should come under scrutiny when trying to
understand the cause of halitosis.
Whatever the reason for the problem, oral hygiene can help to reduce if not
eliminate bad breath. Daily flossing will clean the areas between the teeth
the toothbrush cannot reach. The act of flossing helps to remove particles of
food which, if left, will eventually cause tooth decay and gum disease.
Brushing your teeth twice a day is essential, but many people don’t realize
how important it is to brush for at least two minutes morning and evening.
This will help to thoroughly cleanse your teeth and keep them fresh.
Your dentist may recommend you brush your tongue to help get rid of bad
breath. This can be carried out using an ordinary toothbrush or a special
instrument which is specifically used for the purpose.
The back of the mouth harbors a lot of bacteria and germs so brushing the
tongue from as far back as possible will help to eliminate them. Finish this
process by thoroughly rinsing your mouth to get rid of any residue.
A healthy diet will almost certainly help to stop such problems as bad breath,
and attending a dental clinic twice a year will ensure that any problems are
seen quickly before they’re likely to take hold.
Bad breath can be an extremely embarrassing and upsetting complaint.
Socially it’s unacceptable and can cause a patient many problems within

2. their working environment as well as causing them to feel less confident.
If oral hygiene is instigated from an early age it will almost certainly play a
part in preventing gum diseases such as gingivitis, and the discipline will
keep the body healthy. Bad breath need not become a serious problem if
dental care is part of one’s daily toilet routine.
Arthur Weiss is a North Hollywood Dentist serving the San Fernando Valley
region.
Dr. Arthur W. Weiss
10553 Riverside Drive
Toluca Lake, CA 91602-2440
(818) 762-0694
www.arthurweissdds.com