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Food, tobacco and health problems can cause bad breath. See more personal hygiene pictures.
Fixing bad breath depends on what's causing it. In 80 to 90 percent of cases, it's due to something in the mouth. Most often, it's nothing more serious than a dirty mouth. Plaque, the nearly invisible film of bacteria that's constantly forming in your mouth, is often responsible for bad breath. Other dental culprits include cavities and gum disease.
Occasionally, bad breath is due to something in the lungs or gastrointestinal tract or to a systemic (bodywide) infection. However, eating a garlicky meal is one of the most common causes. The strong odors of foods such as garlic, onions and alcohol are carried through the bloodstream and exhaled by the lungs. Another big loser when it comes to bad breath is tobacco.
In addition, some health problems, such as sinus infections or diabetes (which may give the breath a chemical smell), can cause bad breath.
Get started on the next page to see what you can do to keep your breath as fresh as possible.
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