Your first line of defense against bad breath should be to make sure you brush two times a day for two minutes and floss once a day. You should also brush your tongue since most of the bacteria in the mouth that are responsible for bad breath hang out on the back of the tongue. If you still find your breath is offensive, talk to your dentist or physician. Your dentist can work with you to develop a treatment plan that minimizes odor. This might include scraping the plaque off your tongue or using a special antibacterial mouth-rinse.

If you already practice good oral hygiene and still don’t know what’s causing your bad breath, make an appointment to see your dentist. Regular checkups allow your dentist to detect any problems such as gum disease or dry mouth. Bad breath may be the sign of a medical disorder. Some diseases have symptoms related to bad breath. Sinus or lung infections, bronchitis, diabetes, and some liver or kidney diseases may be associated with bad breath. If your dentist determines that your mouth is healthy, you may be referred to your primary care physician.