Are regular dental checkups enough or one should make an appointment to see an ear, nose, and throat specialist if frequent problems with mouth odor is experienced? Why? How can an otolaryngologist help?

Normally foul mouth odor I think would be Halitosis.

The dentist would be the best person to tell you if this is something he can take care of or not, so regular denal checkups are good. The dentist will be able to guide you if this doesn't fall in his purview. In case it is sinus related of reflux esophagitis etc, he will recommend you see an ENT specialist.

If you have frequent mouth odour it means you aren't having regular dental checkups.
Sometimes there could be other reasons to the bad odor that could be deeper than your mouth,(pun intended) in that case you have to see someone more than a dentist or a dental hygenist. But first visit your dentist so you can eliminate dental problems from your list.

Whenever you are hungry your breath also smells bad how true is this? I saw this scenario one time in a TV ad.

robertbrown - 12 September 2008 10:16 AM

Whenever you are hungry your breath also smells bad how true is this? I saw this scenario one time in a TV ad.

Everybody has bad breath from time to time, especially first thing in the morning. You also may have bad breath when you are hungry, when you are dieting, or after eating foods with a strong odor, such as garlic, onions, or pastrami. Many things can cause bad breath. A major cause is decreased saliva. Saliva has a cleaning action that helps reduce or eliminate bad breath. When saliva decreases, bacteria can grow, causing bad breath.

What do you suggest to avoid bad breath? brush your teeth every meal you eat is that enough as well?

Bad breath can be reduced or prevented if you:

Practice good oral hygiene. Brush twice a day with fluoride toothpaste to remove food debris and plaque. Brush your teeth after you eat (keep a toothbrush at work or school to brush after lunch). Don't forget to brush your tongue, too. Replace your toothbrush every 2 to 3 months. Use floss or an interdental cleaner to remove food particles and plaque between your teeth once a day. Dentures should be removed at night and cleaned thoroughly before being placed in your mouth the next morning.
See your dentist regularly – at least twice a year. He or she will conduct an oral examination and professional teeth cleaning and will be able detect and treat periodontal disease, dry mouth, or other problems that may be the cause of bad mouth odor.
Stop smoking/chewing tobacco-based products. Ask your dentist for tips on kicking the habit.
Drink lots of water. This will keep your mouth moist. Chewing gum (preferably sugarless) or sucking on candy (preferably sugarless) also stimulates the production of saliva, which helps wash away food particles and bacteria.
Keep a log of the foods you eat. If you think the foods that you eat may be causing your bad breath, record what you eat so that you can determine which foods may be contributing to the problem. Bring the log to your dentist to review. Similarly, make a list of the medications you take. Some medications may play a role in creating mouth odors.