Everyday oral health
Bad breath: causes, care, and when to get help
Fresh breath starts with understanding what is happening in your mouth. Get to know the common causes and the everyday habits that help.
Start with the cause
Bad breath can come from food, oral bacteria, dry mouth, or dental problems. Regular cleaning and attention to dryness can help. If it keeps returning, a dentist can look for the underlying cause.
Common causesWhat can cause bad breath?
Bad breath, also called halitosis, has more than one possible explanation. A mint may change the taste in your mouth without telling you why the odor is there.
Food and oral bacteria
Bacteria break down food left in the mouth and can produce unpleasant odors. Garlic, onions, and coffee can also affect your breath.
A dry mouth
Saliva helps wash the mouth. Some medicines, salivary gland problems, and mouth breathing can leave you with less of that natural cleansing.
Teeth and gums
Persistent odor or a bad taste can accompany gum disease. Tooth decay and mouth infections are other reasons to get checked.
Other contributors
Smoking can affect breath. Sometimes reflux or a sinus condition is involved. Your dentist can help decide whether another healthcare professional should evaluate you.
Sources: ADA: Bad breath; NHS: Bad breath.
A routine you can come back to
Build around consistent, gentle cleaning.
- Brush for two minutes, twice a day. Use fluoride toothpaste. Spit out the excess instead of rinsing straight away with water.
- Clean between your teeth daily. Use floss or an interdental cleaner that suits your spaces and is comfortable to handle.
- Give your tongue some attention. Gently clean it once a day with a tongue cleaner. Avoid pressure that makes it sore or bleed.
- Care for dentures, too. Keep them clean and take them out at night. Keep up with regular dental visits.
Source: NHS: Daily care for bad breath.
Saliva is part of the story
Saliva washes away food particles and helps protect teeth. A persistently dry mouth can increase the risk of tooth decay and make eating or speaking uncomfortable. It deserves attention of its own.
Sipping water and chewing sugar-free gum can help with dryness. If it keeps happening, ask your dentist or doctor about the cause and suitable relief. Mention the medicines you take; let your prescriber guide any medication changes.
Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research: Dry mouth.
Where does mouthwash fit?
Mouthwash can complement brushing and cleaning between teeth. Cosmetic rinses temporarily freshen breath; therapeutic rinses use active ingredients for specific benefits. Choose for the purpose on the label, and follow its directions.
For people with dry mouth, an alcohol-free rinse may be a better fit because alcohol can be drying. Your dentist can help you choose a formula for your needs.
Does mouthwash need to burn to work?
Judge a rinse by its active ingredients, evidence, and labeled purpose. A burning sensation is not an effectiveness test. If a formula irritates your mouth, stop using it and ask your dentist for advice.
Source: ADA: Mouthrinse types, ingredients, and dry-mouth considerations.
When to see your dentist
Book an appointment if bad breath continues after a few weeks of home care. Painful, swollen, or bleeding gums, toothache, loose adult teeth, or denture problems are also reasons to get checked.
If your dentist finds your mouth is healthy, they may suggest seeing your doctor to explore another cause.
Sources: NHS: When to see a dentist; ADA: Dental evaluation.
An alcohol-free option from TWICE
Gum Shield Mouthwash
Our current 20 fl oz Gum Shield formula is alcohol-free and contains cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). Explore the product details and follow the directions on your bottle.
A rinse is an addition to daily cleaning. Persistent breath concerns still deserve a dental evaluation.
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