Bad Breath: Common Causes and How to Freshen It

Bad breath has many possible causes, most of them in the mouth.

Causes

In the mouth

• Not brushing and flossing regularly. Bacteria build up in the mouth and between the teeth, and they make the smell.
• Other mouth problems, such as gum disease, dry mouth or cavities.

Elsewhere

• Sinusitis or other nose problems.
• Some foods, such as raw onions, garlic or cabbage.
• Smoking, which has its own smell.
• Some diseases and medicines, which can cause a particular kind of breath odour.

What helps

• Good dental habits — brushing and flossing regularly — help fight bad breath.
• Mouthwash, mints or chewing gum may make breath fresher.
• If a disease is causing it, treating the disease may help.

Sources

• "Bad Breath," MedlinePlus, U.S. National Library of Medicine. https://medlineplus.gov/badbreath.html
• Rewritten in hubnx's own words.