Bad breath (halitosis)
Also known as: Halitosis
General information only. Anpheros does not diagnose and does not recommend treatment. Talk to a doctor or pharmacist about your situation. In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number).
In short
Bad breath can happen if one does not brush and floss regularly, as bacteria that build up in the mouth and between the teeth produce the bad odor. Other mouth problems such as gum disease, dry mouth, or cavities, as well as sinusitis, nose problems, smoking, and eating foods like raw onions, garlic, or cabbage can also cause it. Some diseases and medicines can cause a specific breath odor. Regular brushing and flossing help fight bad breath, while mouthwashes, mints, or chewing gum may make the breath fresher, and treating an underlying disease may help if that disease is the cause.
Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
AI-generated summary of the sources cited on this page, checked automatically against them. Not reviewed by a clinician; not medical advice.
Codes
Description
There are many reasons why you might have bad breath. You can get it if you don't brush and floss regularly. Bacteria that build up in your mouth and between your teeth produce the bad odor. Other problems in your mouth, such as gum disease, dry mouth, or cavities, may also cause it. Sinusitis or problems with your nose may be to blame. You can also have bad breath if you eat some foods, like raw onions, garlic, or cabbage. And of course smoking causes its own bad smell. Some diseases and medicines can cause a specific breath odor.
Having good dental habits, like brushing and flossing regularly, help fight bad breath. Mouthwashes, mints or chewing gum may make your breath fresher. If you have a disease that causes the bad breath, treating the disease may help give you fresher breath.
Next to it in ICD-10
- R19.2Visible bowel movements (visible peristalsis)
- R19.3Rigid abdomen
- R19.4Change in bowel habits
- R20Numbness or tingling
- R20.0Numbness of the skin (no feeling)
- R20.1Reduced skin sensation
Neighbouring codes in the classification, not a medical link.
What people report
Not enough data yet. Anonymous counts appear here only for groups of at least 20 people who agreed to share them.
External resources
Questions
What is the ICD-10 code for Bad breath (halitosis)?
R19.6 (WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision).
What is the ICD-11 code for Bad breath (halitosis)?
MD94: Halitosis (WHO, ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics).
Sources and attribution
- Source: MedlinePlus, National Library of Medicine.
- ICD-10 codes and titles © World Health Organization. Source: WHO, International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (2019).
- ICD-11 for Mortality and Morbidity Statistics, © World Health Organization, licensed under CC BY-ND 3.0 IGO.
- Names other than the official source titles: Anpheros translations and plain-language names, made with AI assistance and checked automatically; the source names are in English.
Anpheros Search catalog 2026.10.5, published 17 October 2026. About the data →
About this page. This page brings together public information from official sources, each cited where it is used. It is not medical advice, it is not a diagnosis, and it does not tell you which treatment to take.
Treatments. Indications are quoted unchanged from official product information (European Medicines Agency, U.S. Food and Drug Administration). They describe what a medicine is approved for, not whether it is right for you. Approved uses can differ between countries. Always read the package leaflet and follow your doctor's or pharmacist's advice.
What people report. Figures marked "reported by Anpheros users" are anonymous counts from at least 20 people who agreed to share them. They show what people report, not what works, and they are not clinical evidence.
Links between terms. "May be associated with" means the link appears in a cited source. It does not mean you have that condition.
In an emergency, call 112 (or your local emergency number). Do not delay seeking medical help because of something you read here.