BAD BREATH
Halitosis (Bad Breath): Causes, Treatments, and Prevention
06-19-2025
We all get bad breath sometimes, but if you notice bad breath every day, it might be time to make some changes in your oral health routine. In this article, we discuss causes, symptoms, and treatments for bad breath, and how to address it as part of your oral health routine.
Key Takeaways
- The main cause of bad breath, or halitosis, is plaque buildup on your teeth. Bacteria feed off the plaque and release a foul-smelling gas that leads to bad breath.
- Other causes of bad breath include stress, tobacco use, diet, dry mouth, and certain systemic medical conditions.
- To treat and prevent bad breath, brush your teeth at least twice a day, floss once a day, rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash, and brush your tongue. Additional lifestyle changes can also help — such as limiting caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, chewing sugarless gum, quitting smoking, and adjusting your diet.
What Is Halitosis?
Bad breath, or halitosis, is primarily caused by bacteria that builds up in your mouth. These bacteria feed on glucose from the food you eat, releasing foul-smelling gases as they grow. The bacteria also form plaque, a sticky film on your teeth, which can eventually harden into tartar if not regularly removed.
Fortunately, once you know what’s causing your bad breath, you can take steps to effectively treat and prevent it.
Causes of Bad Breath
Poor Oral Hygiene
Poor brushing and flossing habits let bacteria build up—especially around the gum line and on the back of your tongue. If you don’t remove it daily, that buildup can lead to plaque, tartar, and bad breath.
Overnight Bacteria Accumulation
You brushed your teeth before bed, so why do you wake up with bad breath? Overnight, bacteria build up on your teeth, gums, and tongue. These bacteria feed on amino acids found in leftover food particles in your mouth, releasing sulfur compounds that cause unpleasant morning breath.
Dry Mouth
Saliva helps prevent bad breath by removing debris and particles left behind by food. If your body doesn’t produce enough saliva—even if you’re well-hydrated—you may have a condition called dry mouth. Dry mouth may be caused by certain medications or systemic medical conditions.
Symptoms include:
Stickiness in your mouth
Thick saliva
Difficulty chewing and swallowing
Burning or tingling in your mouth
Dry lips
If you think you might suffer from dry mouth, talk to a doctor or dentist about possible treatments.
Tobacco Use
Smoking and chewing tobacco impair your body’s ability to fight infection, reduce blood flow to your gums, and hinder tissue repair. Tobacco use makes it much harder for your body to fight off the bacteria and plaque buildup that lead to halitosis.
Diet
Certain foods (such as garlic, onions, and some spices) cause temporary bad breath. Brushing your teeth or rinsing with mouthwash can help temporarily, but the smell usually lingers until the food fully passes through your system.
Stress
Stress can lead to natural and lifestyle issues that cause bad breath. For example, your body releases stress hormones (i.e., cortisol, adrenaline, and noradrenaline) which can slow saliva production.
Without saliva to moisten your mouth, tongue, and teeth, food particles and bacteria can more easily build up and cause halitosis.
Certain Dental or Medical Problems
On rare occasions, bad breath can be a sign of more serious conditions, like gum disease, gum abscesses, gingivitis, periodontitis, diabetes, and liver or kidney disease.
Bad Breath Treatment and Prevention
Once you know what’s causing your bad breath, you can tackle the problem and keep it from coming back! Here are some of the top tips for treating and preventing halitosis.
Brush Your Teeth At least Twice a Day
The best treatment for bad breath caused by bacteria and plaque on your teeth is to brush with a stannous fluoride toothpaste and an electric toothbrush twice a day.
Floss Once a Day
To get rid of as much food, plaque, and bacteria in your teeth as possible, floss once a day with string floss or a floss pick.
Rinse with an Antibacterial Mouthwash
Use an antibacterial mouthwash to remove bacteria in those spaces where your toothbrush and floss are unable to reach.
Brush Your Tongue
When you’re done brushing your teeth, take a few moments to brush your tongue — especially the back. Bacteria can collect in all the nooks and crannies on the surface of your tongue (despite the fact that it’s wet with saliva most of the time) and lead to bad breath.
Visit Your Dentist Twice a Year
Minimize bacteria, plaque, and tartar buildup — as well as a long list of other dental issues — by visiting your dentist at least twice a year.
Professional cleaning and examination will often prevent bad breath from coming back and ward off more serious dental issues, like cavities, gum disease, and periodontitis.
Limit Caffeinated and Alcoholic Drinks
To treat bad breath and help prevent it from coming back, limit caffeinated and alcoholic drinks, as well as sugary and acidic juices. Bacteria thrive on sugar, acid, and other chemicals. Think of these drinks as fuel for the bacteria that cause bad breath and plaque.
Chew Sugarless Gum
Chewing sugarless gum is an excellent way to stimulate saliva production and keep your mouth moist (both of which help your body remove the bacteria and plaque that cause bad breath).
Though mints can freshen your breath, they can leave a sugary residue behind on your teeth.
Quit Smoking
If you smoke, quit. It’s just that simple. Tobacco damages gum tissue and feeds the bacteria that cause halitosis. If you’re having trouble quitting on your own, talk to your doctor about possible options to help you stop smoking.
Change Your Diet
Since certain foods can cause halitosis, an effective treatment is to make changes to your diet. Not sure where to begin? Start with these suggestions:
Limit garlic, onions, and other strong-smelling foods
Limit sugary, starchy foods and sugary drinks
Increase your consumption of fruits and vegetables, as they help clean your mouth and promote saliva production
When to See a Dentist
Bad breath may indicate an issue somewhere else in your body. If you have chronic bad breath and your dental professional rules out any oral problems, see your primary care physician for an evaluation.
Bad breath can be a sign of a range of conditions, including respiratory tract infections, chronic sinusitis or bronchitis, diabetes, or liver and kidney problems. It's important not to ignore the problem.
Overcome Bad Breath with Oral-B!
The best way to fight the bacteria that causes bad breath is with a strong oral hygiene routine and the right tools.
The Oral-B iO Electric Toothbrush Series removes 100% more plaque than a manual toothbrush to give you that professional clean feeling, every single day.
With its interactive color display, smart modes, and pressure sensor, the iO Series helps prevent plaque buildup, bad breath, and tartar formation..
This electric brush—combined with a stannous fluoride toothpaste, mouthwash, and a good flossing routine—is a powerful way to support fresher breath and better oral health.
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About Our Medical Reviewers
Francesca Dusio is an Italian registered dentist with a strong international background and a passion for integrating business with dentistry working in the Oral Care industry. She graduated in Dentistry from the University of Turin, Italy and holds a Master of Science in Dental Science as well as a certificate in Pediatric Dentistry from Complutense University of Madrid, Spain. Currently, Francesca is pursuing a Master’s in Orthodontics to further enhance her expertise in dentistry. Francesca has developed a diverse skill set through her work as a Professional & Scientific Relations Manager at Procter & Gamble, where she focuses on scientific communication and training for sales teams. She has managed a team of Clinical Experts and organized various educational conferences, built strong relationships with universities and scientific societies. She is dedicated to continuous learning and is passionate about improving oral health through research and education. Francesca has been partnering with the team at Oral-B by fact-checking and reviewing our blogs on dental health. You can find a list of the blogs Francesca has approved below:
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