What causes bad breath and can it be cured?

Is the smell of your own breath bothering you? If the answer is yes, there's only one thing to do. Step away from the mouthwash for a moment and schedule an appointment with your dentist instead. 

According to Dr. Oyie Balburias in a question and answer segment for Pinoy MD, there are a number of things that cause bad breath or halitosis. 

Persistent bad breath may be symptom of dental caries (tooth decay) and this is something that can't be washed or brushed away. Acid from plaque that has clung to the tooth create cavities, which your dentist should check and fix. 

To prevent cavities and tooth decay, it's important to brush your teeth at least twice daily. 

However, Doc Oyie warned against toothpaste that contains too much chemicals. Foreign substances, including food, can disturb the balance of microbiomes (bacteria) in our mouth and cause bad breath. 

"Ang mapapayo ko ay kumunsulta sa dentista, para makita kung may posibleng dahilan tulad ng dental caries na sanhi ng halitosis or bad breath," Doc Oyie said.

— AT, GMA News