Bad Breath: Causes and How to Get Rid of It

Short answer

The source of bad breath is usually the mouth: build-up on the tongue, tartar, gum disease, decay and dry mouth are the most common causes. Regular brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning and drinking enough water often make a noticeable difference. If no cause in the mouth is found at the dental examination, seeing an ENT specialist or an internal medicine doctor is recommended.

What causes bad breath?

Bad breath is usually caused by sulphur gases produced by bacteria in the mouth as they break down food debris, dead cells and proteins. These bacteria collect especially on the back of the tongue, between the teeth and in gum pockets.

The medical term for persistent bad breath is halitosis. The smell you notice on waking happens because saliva flow decreases at night, and if it goes away after brushing and breakfast it is usually considered normal.

What are the most common causes in the mouth?

In most people with bad breath, the source is inside the mouth. The most common causes are:

Build-up on the tongue: The white-yellow coating on the back of the tongue is one of the most common sources of odour.
Tartar and plaque: The rough surface of tartar makes it easier for bacteria to cling on.
Gum disease: Inflamed gums and deep gum pockets can cause a noticeable smell.
Decay and leaking fillings: Food debris collects in these areas.
Dry mouth: Saliva cleans the mouth naturally; when it decreases, odour increases.
Dentures, aligners or areas under bridges that are not cleaned: Removable dentures and clear aligners can also cause odour if they are not cleaned regularly.

Does tartar cause bad breath?

Yes, tartar is one of the common causes of bad breath. Tartar is hardened plaque, and its rough surface creates a suitable environment for bacteria to build up.

When tartar collects at and below the gum line, it irritates the gums; this leads to gum inflammation, bleeding and a stronger smell. Tartar cannot be brushed off and needs to be removed at the clinic. We cover this on our page what is tartar, and dark tartar that forms below the gum on our page black tartar.

After cleaning, the smell often decreases noticeably. However, to keep the result, daily brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning need to continue. You can find out how the procedure is done on our page scale and polish.

Removing tartar that causes bad breath with an ultrasonic instrument at the clinic — A scale and polish removes one of the common causes of bad breath. · Illustrative AI-generated image; not a patient.

How do foods and habits affect the smell?

Some foods and habits temporarily make bad breath worse. This kind of smell usually goes away once the cause is removed.

Factor	How it affects breath
Garlic, onion, spices	After digestion, odorous substances pass into the blood and are breathed out; brushing alone does not remove them
Smoking	Besides its own smell, it dries the mouth and increases the risk of gum disease
Alcohol and coffee	Can contribute to dry mouth
Going without food for a long time	Saliva flow decreases and the smell may become noticeable
Drinking little water	The mouth dries out and bacteria multiply more easily

Some medicines can also cause dry mouth as a side effect. If this happens, do not stop your medicine on your own; talk to the doctor who prescribed it.

How do you get rid of bad breath?

Most bad breath that comes from the mouth decreases with regular oral care. The following steps often make a noticeable difference:

Brush twice a day for at least two minutes with fluoride toothpaste.
Use dental floss or an interdental brush every day.
Gently clean the back of your tongue with a tongue scraper or brush.
Drink enough water during the day.
Between meals, sugar-free chewing gum can help by increasing saliva flow.
If you use dentures, a night guard or clear aligners, clean them every day.
See your dentist for a check-up once or twice a year.

Mouthwashes can mask the smell for a while but do not remove the cause. People with dry mouth may prefer alcohol-free mouthwashes.

Person brushing their teeth regularly to reduce bad breath — Regular brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning often reduce the smell. · Illustrative AI-generated image; not a patient.

How can you tell if you have bad breath?

It is hard to notice the smell of your own breath, because the nose gets used to it over time. That is why the most reliable information comes from the honest opinion of someone close to you and a dental examination.

To get an idea at home, you can pass dental floss between your back teeth and smell it, or wipe the back of your tongue with a cotton pad and check its smell. These methods do not give a definite diagnosis, but they can give a clue as to where the build-up is.

Some people worry that they have bad breath even though there is no noticeable smell. In this case too, an examination helps ease unnecessary worry.

What are the causes outside the mouth?

Less often, the source of bad breath may be outside the mouth. If no cause in the mouth is found at the dental examination, these possibilities are considered.

Tonsils and tonsil stones: Debris collecting in the crevices of the tonsils can cause odour.
Sinusitis and nasal discharge: Discharge running down the back of the throat can lead to odour.
Stomach and reflux: Stomach contents rising into the oesophagus can cause odour in some people.
Some general health problems: In rare cases the character of the smell can point to another condition.

Diagnosis and treatment of these causes belong to the relevant medical specialty. If you have symptoms, you are advised to see your doctor.

Which doctor should you see for bad breath?

The first place to go for bad breath is the dentist, because most of the causes are in the mouth. At the examination, the tongue, tartar, gums, decay and fillings are checked.

Situation	Doctor to see
Tartar, bleeding gums, decay	Dentist
Tonsil stones, sinusitis, post-nasal drip	Ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist
Reflux, heartburn, digestive complaints	Internal medicine or gastroenterology
Dry mouth caused by medication	The doctor who prescribed the medicine

If bleeding gums accompany the smell, also take a look at our page bleeding gums.

What happens at the dental examination?

The aim of the examination is to determine whether the smell comes from the mouth and, if so, where. Where needed, gum measurements and X-rays are used.

If there is tartar and plaque, cleaning is planned.
If there is gum disease, gum treatment is carried out.
Decay and leaking fillings are treated.
Tongue cleaning and daily care habits are reviewed.

At our clinic in Çankaya, Ankara, we can assess dental causes of bad breath at the examination and, if needed, refer you to the relevant specialty.

Frequently asked questions

Why won't my bad breath go away?

A smell that persists despite brushing is usually caused by tongue coating, tartar or gum disease. Unless these causes are treated at the clinic, the smell generally continues.

Does tartar removal cure bad breath?

If the smell comes from tartar and gum inflammation, it often decreases noticeably after cleaning. For a lasting result, daily care needs to continue.

Is my bad breath coming from my stomach?

The stomach and reflux can cause bad breath in some people, but the source is usually the mouth. If no cause in the mouth is found at the dental examination, seeing an internal medicine doctor is recommended.

What helps with bad breath?

Regular brushing, flossing, tongue cleaning, drinking enough water and sugar-free chewing gum often help. Mouthwash masks the smell temporarily.

Is morning breath normal?

Yes, a slight smell in the morning is common because saliva flow decreases at night. If it goes away after brushing and breakfast, it is usually considered normal.

What causes bad breath in children?

In children too, the most common causes are inadequate oral hygiene and tongue coating. Mouth breathing, tonsil problems or a blocked nose can also cause odour; if needed, a paediatric dentist or ENT specialist is consulted.