 | Home Remedies: $0-$130+ |
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 | Halitosis Clinics: $300-$3,500+ |
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 | Laser Sinus Surgery: $2,500-$3,500+ |
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| Officially known as halitosis, bad breath is caused by bacteria living in a person's mouth in 85%-90% of cases, and the problem increases when the mouth is dry. However, bad breath can also be caused by dental or gum problems; sinus infections or other mouth, nose and throat conditions; diseases such as lung infections, kidney failure or certain types of cancer; the use of tobacco products; or an extremely limited diet. The Mayo Clinic provides an overview of possible causes. | | |
| Typical costs: | - Do-it-yourself remedies include drinking lots of water (10-12 glasses daily); brushing and flossing regularly and thoroughly; cleaning the tongue with a toothbrush or a tongue scraper ($2 -$13); chewing fresh parsley or sucking on a sugarless mint; using an oral irrigator such as a Waterpik ($30 -$130); and cutting high-protein, sugary or junk foods from the diet while adding high-fiber foods. The Mayo Clinic lists home remedies and Home-Remedies-For-You.com describes some natural options such as avocado or guava.
- There are several bad-breath treatment products on the market, and a month's supply can cost $10 -$150 or more. A mouthwash or rinse may help some if it reduces the amount of bacteria in the mouth; Animated-Teeth.com describes the types of mouthwashes. Hydrogen peroxide can kill many of the bacteria that cause bad breath; rinse the mouth with a mixture of 50% hydrogen peroxide and 50% water.
- If self-help methods don't cure a case of chronic bad breath, get a thorough dental check-up ($50 -$350 or more), because periodontal (gum) disease can cause bad breath.
- If the problem isn't solved by dental treatment, the dentist may recommend a medical check-up in case bad breath is a sign of a more serious condition. Some long term bad breath sufferers have reported being helped by laser sinus surgery, which costs $2,500 -$3,500 or more. Some doctors operate clinics aimed at helping halitosis sufferers; costs start at about $300 -$500, but it can be $2,000 -$3,500 or more for a combination of medical visits and products intended to cure bad breath. Insurance might a cover a portion of these costs.
What should be included: | |
Shopping for treating halitosis: | - Talk to a dentist about bad breath treatment options, or check with a local or state dental association to find out about any nearby resources.
- Most dentists will schedule a morning appointment to evaluate a case of chronic bad breath. Don't eat, drink or chew gum before the appointment, and don't use any perfume, aftershave lotion, scented lipstick or similar products. The Mayo Clinic explains how to prepare for an appointment to discuss a bad breath problem.
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Material on this page is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Always consult your physician or pharmacist regarding medications or medical procedures.
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Article updated April 2012 |
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