Fresh breath
What causes bad breath, and how do I fix it?
Bad breath usually comes from bacteria on the teeth and tongue, plus dry mouth, smoking or gum trouble. Brush twice daily, clean between teeth, scrape your tongue and stay hydrated. If it lingers, come in.
Where the smell usually comes from
Most often it traces back to the everyday culprits: strong or spicy food, smoking, a dry mouth, or dental issues like gum disease and decay. Crash diets, acid reflux and a handful of medical conditions can add to it as well.
But the plain, everyday offender is simply bacteria collecting on the teeth and — surprisingly often — the tongue. That is exactly why a good daily clean makes such a noticeable difference, and why chasing it with mints or gum only ever masks it for a moment.
How to freshen it for good
Brush your teeth and gums twice a day, clean between them once daily, and give your tongue a gentle scrape — that is where a good deal of the pong sets up camp. An antibacterial rinse or toothpaste helps, as does keeping a water bottle handy so your mouth doesn't dry out.
Keep up your check-ups too, since decay and gum disease can quietly drive bad breath. If it lingers past a couple of weeks despite all that, or your gums bleed or ache, pop in and let us take a look — persistent breath can be a sign worth chasing down.
Common questions
Does mouthwash cure bad breath?
It can help as a sidekick, but it doesn't replace brushing, cleaning between teeth and scraping your tongue. A cosmetic rinse only masks the smell briefly; the daily clean does the real work.
When is bad breath a sign of something more?
If it lingers for weeks despite good cleaning, or comes with bleeding or sore gums, it can point to gum disease or decay. Come in so we can find the cause.