Bad Breath (Halitosis): Causes, Treatment and 12 Home Remedies That Help

Most bad breath starts in the mouth and is easy to fix once you know the cause. Learn what causes halitosis, 12 simple home remedies that help, and when a dental check-up is the real solution.

Overview

Bad breath, or halitosis, is very common and can be embarrassing, partly because it is hard to judge your own breath. The good news is that in most people it comes from the mouth itself and improves quickly with the right routine. When it does not, a dental check-up usually finds the cause.

What causes bad breath?

Bacteria and plaque: bacteria break down food particles and release sulphur compounds that smell unpleasant. The back of the tongue is a major source.

Gum disease: plaque and tartar below the gumline produce a persistent bad smell. See our guide to bleeding gums and gum disease.

Cavities and food traps: decayed teeth, broken fillings and gaps where food collects.

Dry mouth: saliva naturally cleans the mouth, so breath is often worse in the morning, when you are dehydrated, or with certain medicines.

Food and habits: onion, garlic, coffee, alcohol and smoking.

Other causes: a partly erupted wisdom tooth, unclean dentures or aligners, tonsil stones, sinus problems, acid reflux and some medical conditions.

12 home remedies that help

1. Brush twice a day for two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.

2. Clean your tongue daily with a tongue scraper or your toothbrush, working from back to front.

3. Floss or use interdental brushes once a day to remove food trapped between teeth.

4. Drink plenty of water through the day to keep your mouth moist.

5. Rinse with water after meals when you cannot brush.

6. Chew sugar-free gum (xylitol gum is a good choice) to stimulate saliva.

7. Use an alcohol-free mouthwash; alcohol-based rinses can dry the mouth.

8. Eat crunchy fruit and vegetables such as apples, carrots and cucumber, which help clean teeth and stimulate saliva.

9. Cut back on strong-smelling foods like raw onion and garlic, and on coffee and alcohol.

10. Stop smoking or chewing tobacco, which cause bad breath and gum disease.

11. Clean dentures, retainers and aligners every day and take dentures out at night.

12. Do not skip meals: long gaps without food reduce saliva and can cause breath odour.

When home remedies are not enough

If bad breath continues despite good brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning for a couple of weeks, see a dentist. Persistent halitosis is often a sign of gum disease, a hidden cavity, an old filling that is leaking, or a wisdom tooth trapping food. Treating the cause is what makes the difference.

How a dentist treats halitosis

We start by finding the source: examining the teeth, gums, tongue and any dental work, and taking X-rays where needed. Treatment may include professional teeth scaling and cleaning, gum treatment, repairing cavities or faulty fillings, and advice on cleaning techniques and products that suit you. If the cause seems to lie outside the mouth, such as the sinuses or acid reflux, we will advise you to see your doctor.

Frequently asked questions

Can bad breath be cured permanently? When the cause is in the mouth, yes. Treating it and keeping up a good routine usually solves the problem.

Does mouthwash cure bad breath? It only masks it for a short time. Cleaning the tongue and between the teeth, and treating any gum disease, deals with the cause.

Why is my breath bad even though I brush? Often because the tongue, the spaces between teeth or the gums are not being cleaned, or because of dry mouth or gum disease.

Worried about persistent bad breath? Book a check-up at Park Street, Salt Lake or New Alipore, or call +91 78900 08331.