The specific odor of breath can vary depending on the cause of the problem.
It is best to ask a close friend or relative to gauge your mouth odor as it is very difficult to assess it yourself.
If no one is to hand, one way of checking the odor is to lick your wrist, leave it to dry and then smell it. If it smells bad, there is a strong chance your breath also smells bad.
Some individuals are concerned about their breath even though they may have little or no mouth odor; this condition is called halitophobia and can lead to obsessive mouth-cleansing behaviour.

Maintaining good oral hygiene prevents toothdecay and gum disease.
✓ Brush your teeth twice daily and floss everyday.
✓ Dentures, bridges and mouth guards should be cleaned regularly.
✓ Use a tongue scrapper to clean the tongue.
✓ Drink plenty of water to avoid dry mouth.
✓ Your dentist can help you determine the source of bad breath.