Got Bad Breath? Brush More Often
April 30, 2008

by Nancy Volkers
InteliHealth News Service

Almost 3 of every 10 older people think they have bad breath, Turkish researchers say. Brushing more often and getting help for a dry mouth may solve the problem.

Dentists from Kirikkale University asked 254 older people about bad breath and problems tasting their food. Everyone in the study was older than 55. The average age was approximately 63 years.

About 28% of the people said they had bad breath. About 8% said they had problems tasting their food.

The dentists collected information on age, gender and number of fillings. They also asked whether people smoked, how often they brushed, and whether they had dentures.

Brushing less than once a day was the factor most strongly linked with bad breath. Wearing dentures, being older, smoking and having less education were linked with bad breath, too.

About 3 of every 4 people who said they had bad breath also said they had a dry mouth.

Taste problems were more likely in people with dentures, older people and people who brushed less than once a day. About 7 of every 10 people with taste problems said they had dry mouth.

Dry mouth, which dentists call xerostomia, is common in older people. Hundreds of medicines cause dry mouth. Many diseases, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, also can cause dry mouth.

The study appears in the May-June issue of the Archives of Gerontology and Geriatrics.