I brush my teeth everyday and tongue too, but my breath still smells. i aslo haven't been to the dentist in 5 plus years. i can feel a gap between my molars and my gum. i know i have cavities. my teeth are as straight anymore. my upper left lateral is ove

Taken : Taken from web md: bad breath, medically called halitosis, can result from poor dental health habits and may be a sign of other health problems. Bad breath can also be made worse by the types of foods you eat and other unhealthy lifestyle habits. How does what you eat affect breath? Basically, all the food you eat begins to be broken down in your mouth. As foods are digested and absorbed into your bloodstream, they are eventually carried to your lungs and given off in your breath. If you eat foods with strong odors (such as garlic or onions), brushing and flossing -- even mouthwash -- merely covers up the odor temporarily. The odor will not go away completely until the foods have passed through your body. Why do poor habits cause bad breath? If you don't brush and floss your teeth daily, food particles can remain in your mouth, which promotes bacterial growth between teeth, around the gums, and on the tongue. This causes bad breath. In addition, odor-causing bacteria and food particles can cause bad breath if dentures are not properly cleaned. Smoking or chewing tobacco-based products can also cause bad breath, stain teeth, reduce your ability to taste foods, and irritate the gums. What health problems are associated with bad breath? Persistent bad breath or a bad taste in your mouth may be warning signs of gum (periodontal) disease. Gum disease is caused by the buildup of plaque on teeth. The bacteria cause toxins to form in the mouth, which irritate the gums. If gum disease continues untreated, it can damage the gums and jawbone. Other dental causes of bad breath include poorly fitting dental appliances, yeast infections of the mouth, and dental caries. The medical condition dry mouth (also called xerostomia) can also cause bad breath. Saliva is necessary to moisten and cleanse the mouth by neutralizing acids produced by plaque and washing away dead cells that accumulate on the tongue, gums, and cheeks. If not removed, these cells decompose and can cause bad breath. Dry mouth may be caused by the side effects of various medications, salivary gland problems, or continuous breathing through the mouth. Many other diseases and illnesses may cause bad breath. Here are some to be aware of: respiratory tract infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis, chronic sinus infections, postnasal drip, diabetes, chronic acid reflux, and liver or kidney problems. What can I do to prevent bad breath? Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you: practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoridetoothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don't forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning. See your dentist regularly - at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor. Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit. Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria. Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors. Who treats bad breath? In most cases, your dentist can treat the cause of bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy and that the odo.

Effective : Effective oral hygiene requires not only good brushing and flossing at home, but timely professional dental hygiene appointments (at least twice a year) to remove the plaque and bacteria left behind that are not removed by brushing and flossing alone. Since you mentioned that it has been over 5 years since your last dental visit, this is the most likely cause of your bad breath and complete dental care will improve your breath, for sure. That being said there are other medical conditions and digestive disorders that can cause malodorous breath as well. Drinking lots of caffeinated coffee is known to loosen the esophageal sphincter, allowing partially digested food to be be brought back into the mouth and contribute to this affliction. An immediate dental checkup is definitely in order for you!

The : The most likely cause of your bad breath and sensitivity to sweets is a combination of gum disease and tooth decay caused by a lack of regular dental care. Having you teeth cleaned and cavities filled should help improve your breath and make eating more comfortable.

Call in the pro's!: I agree this sounds like periodontal disease. It's time to hire a professional and the sooner you do this, the better your options. Good luck!

See a dentist: What you are describing are problems associated with not having had a professional examination and cleaning--even though you take care of your teeth you need to see a dentist because dentists can do things in your mouth that you are unable to do.

Dental disease: You probably have a combination of a few dental problems. Tooth decay and periodontitis. Seek professional care.

30 yr old: You have not seen a dentist since you were 24 or younger. No home care can prevent the years of tartar, plaque and bacteria - which cause gum disease & cavities. Both need to be addressed. You need to see a dentist for a thorough examination and full mouth radiographs (x-rays) so they may diagnose your exact problem and develop a treatment specific for you to eliminate your dental problems.

Periodontist: In addition to gum disease bad breath caused by infects tonsils/adenoids, gerd, infected teeth, and diet. I notice you didn't mention flossing, a serious omission in oral hygiene routine. Gum problems, shifting teeth, bad breath, probably means disease of gums/bone. 5 yrs since last ck-up means 4.5 yrs of neglect. See dentist now. Ask for referral to periodontist & perhaps orthodontists.