Antiseptic mouthwashes can kill the germs that cause bad breath

Antiseptic mouthwashes can kill the germs that cause bad breath.

• True
• False

The American Dental Association has accepted many antiseptic mouth-rinse products for their "therapeutic benefits in reducing plaque and gingivitis." The group states that "these products have been demonstrated to kill the germs that cause bad breath." Of course, bad breath can be caused by things other than germs, such as eating garlic or other fragrant foods or poor dental hygiene. Certain medical conditions also can cause bad breath. In these cases, a mouth rinse may help mask your bad breath, but it won't address the cause of it.