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Bad breath
My friend told me she's noticing bad breath when I talk. She's been noticing this for past 6-8 weeks. But I don't find it myself. I attached my X ray. What could it be? Should I change my toothpaste and mouthwash? If so, please recommend some.
Persistent bad breath (halitosis) for 6–8 weeks is most commonly related to an oral cause, such as tongue coating, plaque accumulation, gingivitis/periodontal disease, food stagnation between teeth, or dental caries. Dry mouth can also contribute significantly to bad breath. (American Dental Association)
Your X-ray alone cannot determine the exact cause of the bad breath, and a clinical examination is important. I would particularly recommend checking the gums for bleeding/inflammation, periodontal pockets, calculus, carious lesions, and the tongue for coating.
Next Steps
* Continue brushing twice daily for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste.
* Clean the tongue once daily, preferably with a tongue scraper.
* Floss or use interdental brushes daily, particularly if food gets stuck between the teeth.
* Stay well hydrated and notice whether you experience dry mouth, especially on waking.
* Since the problem has persisted for 6–8 weeks, schedule a dental examination and professional cleaning if indicated, rather than simply changing products.
* If the oral examination is normal and the halitosis persists despite good oral hygiene, your dentist can consider non-oral causes such as nasal/throat conditions or other systemic factors.
Health Tips
It is quite common for a person not to notice their own bad breath, so the fact that you don’t smell it yourself does not rule it out. Since someone close to you has noticed it repeatedly for 6–8 weeks, it is worth getting the cause assessed rather than simply masking the smell with mouthwash.
If you have bleeding gums, loose teeth, pus/discharge, tooth pain, significant dry mouth, or a persistent unusual taste, mention these during your dental examination.
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Your teeth do look fine. However bad breath could be due to multiple reasons. It would be recommended to visit a dental clinic so that a proper inspection of the inside of your mouth can be done and the condition of your tongue be assessed.
Next Steps
Visit a dentist physically.
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