Breath & Mouth
Fresh breath and dry mouth: start here
Breath that comes back an hour after brushing, or a dry, pasty mouth every morning, can make you self-conscious all day. These guides find the cause first, then give you a routine to try for two weeks.
Where bad breath usually comes from
Most bad breath starts in the mouth itself: food and bacteria left between the teeth and on the tongue, gum problems, and a dry mouth, since saliva helps keep the mouth clean. That is why mints and strong mouthwash often only cover it for a while. A dry mouth deserves its own look, because the NIDCR lists many medicines among its common causes, and saliva also protects teeth from decay.
If you only do four things this week
- Brush twice a day and clean between your teeth once a day, for two weeks straight.
- Clean your tongue gently each day, back to front.
- Sip water through the day, and notice whether your mouth is dry in the morning.
- List your medicines and ask a pharmacist whether any of them can dry the mouth.
A typical order of work
| If you notice | Focus | Guide |
|---|---|---|
| Breath that returns soon after brushing | Find the cause, then a two-week routine | Bad breath |
| A dry, sticky mouth at night or on waking | Common causes, medicines and a calmer night routine | Dry mouth at night |
| Bleeding gums too | Gum health first | Bleeding gums |
Read these in this order
- 1
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath
Find the cause first, then the daily routine that fixes most cases.
- 2
Dry Mouth at Night
Common causes, a calmer night routine and how to protect your teeth.
- 3
Bleeding Gums: Causes and What to Do
Why gums bleed when you brush, a daily plan and when to see a dentist.
- 4
Oral Probiotics: What the Evidence Shows
What studies found, what labels hide, and who should ask first.
When breath or dry mouth needs a dentist or doctor
See a dentist if bad breath stays after two weeks of good brushing, cleaning between the teeth and tongue cleaning, or if your gums bleed, hurt or swell. See your doctor or pharmacist about a dry mouth that does not go away, and never stop a prescribed medicine on your own. A sore, lump or patch in the mouth that lasts more than two weeks needs a dentist or doctor.
Curious about probiotic lozenges for breath? See what the trials of oral probiotics found.
Gums bleeding as well?
Gum problems are one of the common causes of bad breath. The gums path starts with why gums bleed and what to do in the first two weeks.