How can the patient prevent bad breath? There are several steps the patient can take to prevent halitosis. Please fill in the missing word. Talking about bad breath can be embarrassing for both the dentist or dental assistant and the patient. Mouthwash, chewing gum, mints, and other products may help temporarily but to remove bad breath constantly it is best to address the cause of the problem. What causes are there? Please match the puzzle pieces that belong together - a cause for bad breath and the matching description.