Can anything stop extreme bad breath? —S.A., Novi, Mich.

Possibly. In addition to careful brushing and flossing, you can try using a mouthwash that contains cetylpyridinium (Scope and generic) or prescription chlorhexidine (Peridex and generic); chewing cinnamon-flavored gum; using a tongue cleaner to gently scrape odor-causing bacteria away; and avoiding strong-smelling foods. And get checked for underlying gum disease or oral infection, which can support the growth of bacteria that cause bad breath. In rare cases, bad breath can indicate a serious condition such as kidney disease or a lung infection, so see your doctor if those self-help steps don’t work.