More than 80 million people suffer from bad breath also known as Halitosis. In most cases it originates from the gums and tongue. The odor is caused by wastes from bacteria in the mouth, the decomposition of food particles, poor oral hygiene and Gum Disease. The decomposition of certain proteins produces a sulfur compound that causes the unpleasant odor.  People with active moderate to advanced Gum disease generally have “Perio-Breath”. This is a distinct unpleasant odor caused by sulfur containing compounds and bacteria in the deep chronically infected gums. A rinse specifically designed to break down these Sulfur compounds is available and is part of our Non-Surgical approach to treating Gum Disease and Perio-Breath.How you clean your mouth is very important.  Proper brushing, including brushing the tongue, cheeks and the roof of the mouth, will remove bacteria and food particles. Flossing removes accumulated bacteria, plaque and food that may be trapped between teeth.   Your tongue is a tremendous debris trap.  Clean your tongue with a tongue scraper, a plastic tool that scrapes away the thick film of Bacteria, debris and food particles that builds on the tongue.Chewing sugar-free gum also may help control odor. If you have dentures or a removable appliance, such as a retainer or mouthguard, clean the appliance thoroughly before placing it back in your mouth. Before you use mouth rinses, deodorizing sprays or tablets, talk with your dentist, because these products only mask the odor temporarily and some products work better than others. Saliva is the key ingredient in your mouth that helps keep the odor under control because it helps wash away food particles and bacteria, the primary cause of bad breath. When you sleep, however, salivary glands slow down the production of saliva, allowing the bacteria to grow inside the mouth. To combat "morning mouth," brush your teeth and eat a morning meal. Morning mouth also is associated with hunger or fasting. Those who skip breakfast, beware, because the odor may reappear even if you've brushed your teeth.  Very spicy foods, such as onions and garlic, and coffee may be detected on a person's breath for up to 72 hours after digestion. Onions and garlic, for example, are absorbed by the stomach, and the odor is then excreted through the lungs.  Bad breath also may occur in people who have a medical infection, diabetes, kidney failure or a liver malfunction. Dry mouth and tobacco also contribute to this problem. Cancer patients who undergo radiation therapy may experience dry mouth. Even stress, dieting, snoring, age and hormonal changes can have an effect on your breath. An odor that comes from the back of your tongue may indicate postnasal drip. This is where mucus secretion, which comes from the nose and moves down your throat, gets stuck on the tongue and causes an odor.