What helps most against bad breath is removing the cause in the mouth, because that is where it lies in around 9 out of 10 cases. Usually it is bacteria on the back of the tongue and between the teeth. Most effective are cleaning your tongue daily from back to front, cleaning between your teeth, and dental hygiene, a professional teeth cleaning that also removes plaque at and below the gum line. Chewing gum and mouthwashes only mask the smell for a short time.
Updated: 9 November 2026
Where bad breath comes from
Bacteria break down food debris and dead cells. This produces sulphur compounds, and they smell unpleasant. Their main home is the rough surface at the back of the tongue. Other sources are:
- plaque between the teeth
- inflamed gums and gum pockets in periodontitis
- open decay and leaking edges of fillings or crowns
- a dry mouth, for example from drinking too little or from medication
Almost everyone has morning breath. Little saliva flows at night, and the smell disappears with breakfast and brushing. Garlic, onions, coffee, alcohol and smoking cause a temporary smell.
What helps straight away
For the moment, anything that gets saliva flowing helps: a glass of water, a sugar-free chewing gum, an unsweetened tea. And a quick clean of your tongue. That will see you through a meeting or a conversation, but it does little about the cause.
What helps for good
- Clean your tongue every day, ideally with a tongue scraper, from back to front. This is the most important step. Often you will notice a clear improvement within a few days.
- Clean between your teeth once a day with interdental brushes or floss.
- Drink enough, water or unsweetened tea spread over the day.
- Have a dental hygiene appointment. It removes plaque where your toothbrush cannot reach, including at and below the gum line. Inflamed gums can settle. Professional cleaning has been shown to reduce the sulphur compounds that cause the smell.
- Use mouthwashes thoughtfully. Antibacterial rinses are suitable for a short time, ideally after talking to us. For every day, tongue and interdental cleaning are the better way.
How to tell whether you have bad breath
You can hardly smell your own breath, because your nose gets used to it. The most honest way is to ask someone you trust. If you wish, we will mention it discreetly at your dental hygiene appointment and show you where the cause lies.
When it makes sense to see a doctor
If no cause is found in the mouth, it is worth having your nose, throat and tonsils checked by your GP or an ear, nose and throat specialist. Rarely, other conditions such as diabetes are behind it. Medication that dries out the mouth can also play a role.
