Bad breath (halitosis) is one of the most embarrassing oral health problems. Many patients at Milim Dental Bursa try to fix it with chewing gum, strong mouthwash or home remedies like oil pulling before they ever speak to a dentist.

As an oral health specialist, I want you to know: bad breath is usually manageable once we understand where it comes from.

Main Causes of Bad Breath

Most persistent bad breath has one or more of these causes:

Bacteria on the back of the tongue

Plaque and tartar around teeth and under the gums

Untreated cavities and food traps that need fillings or root canal

Dry mouth (from medications, mouth breathing or medical conditions)

Less commonly, tonsil, sinus or stomach issues

Simply masking the smell with mouthwash will not solve the underlying problem.

Tongue Cleaning: The Missing Step

Many people brush their teeth but never clean their tongue. Yet the tongue’s rough surface is where odor-causing bacteria love to hide.

At Milim Dental Bursa we recommend:

Using a tongue scraper or the back of some toothbrushes once a day.

Gently scraping from back to front several times, being careful not to gag or injure the surface.

Rinsing the mouth afterward.

You will often see a white or yellow coating come off – this is a mix of bacteria, food debris and dead cells. Removing it regularly can significantly reduce bad breath.

The Role of Gum Disease and Cavities

If you have gum disease, even perfect tongue cleaning will not fully fix bad breath. Inflammation and deep gum pockets hold bacteria and create a characteristic smell.

Likewise, deep cavities, broken fillings and abscesses can release foul odours. In these cases, we need to:

Treat cavities with fillings or root canal treatment.

Clean and stabilise the gums with professional scaling and other periodontal therapy.

At Milim Dental Bursa, we always check gums and teeth thoroughly when a patient complains about bad breath.

What About Mouthwash?

Mouthwash can be useful as part of a broader plan, but it is not a cure-all.

Antibacterial mouthwash may help in the short term when used correctly, but:

It cannot replace brushing and interdental cleaning.

Using it excessively can sometimes irritate tissues or disturb the normal mouth flora.

We may recommend a specific mouthwash for a limited time, for example after gum treatment or oral surgery, but the long-term solution is always mechanical plaque removal: brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning.

Oil Pulling and Bad Breath

Oil pulling is a popular home remedy. Swishing oil in the mouth for 5–20 minutes can remove some debris simply by movement, and some patients report a temporary improvement in breath.

From a clinical point of view:

Oil pulling can be an optional additional step if you enjoy it.

It should never replace proper brushing with fluoride toothpaste or professional treatment of gum disease and cavities.

Think of oil pulling as a supplement, not a main treatment.

Diet, Dry Mouth and Systemic Factors

Certain foods (garlic, onions, strong spices) obviously affect breath for a few hours. This is normal and not a disease.

More concerning is chronic dry mouth, which can be caused by:

Certain medications (for blood pressure, depression, allergies and others)

Mouth breathing

Some systemic diseases

Saliva naturally cleans the mouth and neutralises acids. Without enough saliva, bacteria flourish and bad breath worsens.

In these cases, we may advise at Milim Dental Bursa:

Frequent sips of water

Sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva

Specific products for dry mouth

Coordination with your physician if needed

When to See a Dentist About Bad Breath

You should book a check-up if:

You or someone close to you notices persistent bad breath.

Tongue cleaning, brushing and mouthwash do not help.

You also see bleeding gums, loose teeth or mouth sores.

We will examine your teeth, gums, tongue and soft tissues, possibly take X-rays, and then explain what we find. If the cause is oral, we can usually treat it with a combination of professional care and home instructions. If it appears to be non-oral, we may refer you to your doctor or a specialist.

Basic Oral Hygiene Checklist

To support fresh breath and overall oral health:

Brush teeth twice a day with fluoride toothpaste.

Clean between teeth daily (floss or interdental brushes).

Clean your tongue gently every day.

Visit Milim Dental Bursa regularly for check-ups and professional cleaning.

Treat cavities, infections and gum disease promptly – fillings and root canal treatment are not just about pain relief; they also reduce infection and odour.

Bad breath is not something you have to be ashamed of in silence. With a proper diagnosis and a few focused changes in your routine, you can usually regain fresh breath and feel confident again when speaking, laughing and smiling.