[stana (OP)]

Hey guys. is bad breath air mixed with the smell from your mouth? or does it actually come from the lungs itself..thanks

[chels]

USUALLY bad breath is caused by bacteria that live in your mouth, and especially on the back of your tongue.  there are millions of these, poor oral hygeine and/or gum infection can increase these which cause the smell

if the smell is coming from your lungs you better worry and see a doc because it could be a chest infection, or depending on what kind of smell - can signify other serious problems like diabetes (if you are diabetic and end up with hyperglycaemia, you excrete ketones in your breath which have an odd smell which is often described as "pear drops" smell....sinus, liver and kidney disease can also be causative factors of bad or odd smelling breath...

on saying that, the most common thing is bacteria - on the tongue, around the teeth, plaque, and the fact these bacteria can munch sugars and turn them into acid..smelly.

[syhprum]

How do I know if I have bad breath ? should I be able to smell it myself or do I have to see if people cringe and back away from me ?

[Pecos_Bill]

Breath can indicate a number of things from an exuberant appetite for onions, to poor oral hygeine, to an upper gastric obstruction... and several things between.

the remedies range from hanging out with other people who like onions to emergent abdominal surgery.

If it isn't causing problems, I wouldn't worry about it.

Had a friend who slipped on the ice and lost his sense of smell. That is a 4+ bummer.

It's better to smell bad than not smell at all.

Other than that, my general advice is to see your doctor about it if it keeps bothering you.