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Article: Bad Breath
- Article from:
- Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine
- Author:
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2005 The Gale Group, Inc. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Bad breath
Definition
Bad breath, also called halitosis, is an unpleasant odor of the breath. Usually it is due to poor hygiene, but it can be an indication of underlying health problems.
Description
Bad breath is likely to be experienced by most adults and many children, at least occasionally. Some people are strongly convinced that bad breath is present when it is not. Bad breath can have a significant impact on a person's social and professional life.
Causes & symptoms
Accumulation of plaque on the teeth is a major cause of bad breath. Plaque is a mucus film that mixes with food particles, saliva, and bacterial residue in the mouth. Bad breath can also be caused by any number of ...