Bad breath: causes and what actually helps
Why bad breath happens (tongue coating, dry mouth, gum disease, food), the daily steps that help, and when it may point to something else.
Written by the Glowpedia team · not yet reviewed by our dentist
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Quick answer Most bad breath starts in the mouth, from bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth, and dry mouth makes it worse. Brushing twice a day, cleaning your tongue and between your teeth once a day and drinking enough water help most people; mints and mouthwash only mask it for a while.
Where bad breath comes from
Bad breath (halitosis) is very common: the American Dental Association says about half of adults have had it at some point. In most cases the smell starts in your mouth. Bacteria break down leftover food and dead cells and release foul-smelling gases.
The usual sources:
- Tongue coating. The back of the tongue has an uneven surface that traps bacteria and debris. A white or yellowish coating there is a common cause.
- Dry mouth. Saliva rinses your mouth all day. When it drops (during sleep, with mouth breathing, with some medicines or after long gaps without drinking), odor builds up. This is why morning breath happens.
- Plaque and gum disease. Plaque left at the gumline and between teeth feeds odor-causing bacteria. Gum disease can cause bad breath or a bad taste that doesn't go away; see healthy gums.
- Food and drink. Garlic, onions, spices and coffee. Garlic and onion are absorbed into your blood and reach your lungs, so brushing only helps partly until your body clears them.
- Tobacco. Smoking leaves its own smell, dries the mouth and raises the risk of gum disease.
- Fasting and crash diets. Long hours without food or water, including fasting during Ramadan, often make breath stronger.
- Trapped food. Around dentures and braces, or in cavities.
What actually helps
| Likely cause | What helps |
|---|---|
| Tongue coating | Clean your tongue once a day |
| Dry mouth | Water through the day, sugar-free gum, ask about your medicines |
| Plaque, gum disease | Brushing at the gumline, cleaning between teeth, professional cleaning |
| Garlic, onion, spices | Time; brushing helps only partly |
| Smoking | Quitting |
A daily routine that covers most cases:
- Brush twice a day for 2 minutes with a fluoride toothpaste, angling the bristles toward the gumline. See how to brush properly.
- Clean your tongue once a day with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush, gently, from back to front. Rinse it after each stroke and stop if it hurts or bleeds.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with floss, interdental brushes or a water flosser. See flossing and water flossers.
- Keep your mouth moist. Sip water through the day and chew sugar-free gum after meals.
- Clean dentures, retainers and aligners every day, and take dentures out at night.
- Keep up with checkups and cleanings, so hardened tartar and early gum disease are dealt with.
If you're fasting, brush and clean your tongue after suhoor and after iftar, and drink enough water between iftar and suhoor.
What only masks it
Mints, gum and most mouthwashes give short-lived freshness because they don't remove the cause. An antibacterial mouthwash can be a useful extra, not a replacement for brushing and cleaning between your teeth. If your mouth tends to feel dry, an alcohol-free formula may feel more comfortable. More in our mouthwash guide.
Checking your own breath
It's hard to smell your own breath. Ask someone you trust to tell you honestly. Some people worry about bad breath that others can't notice; a dentist can check and reassure you.
When it may signal something else
If your teeth, gums and tongue are clean and the smell still lasts for weeks, the cause may be elsewhere:
- Tonsil stones, sinus problems or postnasal drip
- Acid reflux (GERD), which can bring a sour smell
- Diabetes: poorly controlled diabetes raises the risk of gum disease, and a fruity smell can be a sign of ketoacidosis
- Kidney or liver disease
- Rarely, cancers of the mouth or throat
A fruity breath smell with heavy thirst, vomiting or confusion needs urgent medical care.
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See a dentist if bad breath lasts more than a few weeks despite good brushing, tongue cleaning and cleaning between your teeth, or if you have bleeding or swollen gums, toothache or loose teeth. If your dentist finds no cause in your mouth, see your doctor; get urgent care for a fruity breath smell with vomiting, heavy thirst or confusion.
Questions people ask
Does mouthwash get rid of bad breath?
Only for a short time, unless it's part of a routine that removes the cause. An antibacterial mouthwash can help, but brushing, cleaning your tongue and cleaning between your teeth do most of the work.
Why is my breath worse in the morning?
Saliva flow drops while you sleep, so bacteria and odor build up overnight. Brushing, cleaning your tongue and a glass of water in the morning usually clear it.
Is a tongue scraper better than a toothbrush?
Either can work. A scraper is flat, and some people find it easier to reach the back of the tongue without gagging. Be gentle and use it once a day.
Can fasting cause bad breath?
Yes. Long hours without food or water mean less saliva, which lets odor build up. Brush and clean your tongue after suhoor and after iftar, and drink enough water between them.