Breath that stinks after brushing can come from bacteria on the tongue, gum disease, dry mouth, or tonsil stones. Clean your tongue, floss, and see a dentist.
Common causes
- Bacteria on the tongue.
- Gum disease or cavities.
- Dry mouth.
- Postnasal drip.
- Tonsil stones.
- Food (garlic, onions).
- GERD.
Fix
- Brush your tongue.
- Floss daily.
- Use alcohol-free mouthwash.
- Drink water.
See a dentist
If bad breath persists.
Note
80% of bad breath comes from the mouth.
Why breath stays bad
Bad breath (halitosis) after brushing usually comes from the tongue, between teeth, gum disease, dry mouth, tonsil stones or a source outside the mouth. About 80 to 90 percent of halitosis originates in the mouth, mostly from bacteria on the back of the tongue producing volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide.
- Brushing the tongue or using a tongue scraper cuts odor.
- Dry mouth from medicines, mouth breathing or low saliva worsens breath.
- Sinus infection, reflux, diabetes ketoacidosis (fruity), and kidney or liver disease are non-oral causes.
- Foods such as garlic and onions enter the bloodstream and are exhaled.
Fix
Floss daily, brush for 2 minutes, scrape the tongue, drink water, and use an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash with cetylpyridinium chloride or zinc. Chew sugar-free gum to boost saliva. See a dentist if bad breath persists, since gum disease or cavities may be the cause, and a doctor if no oral cause is found.
Why breath stays bad
Bad breath after brushing usually comes from bacteria on the tongue, between teeth or in the throat. Causes include gum disease, dry mouth, tonsil stones, sinus infection, reflux and certain foods. About 80 to 90 percent of bad breath cases originate in the mouth.
Fix
Brush the tongue, floss, drink water and see a dentist. Persistent bad breath could signal a medical issue.
Causes beyond the mouth
Halitosis arises in the mouth for 85 percent of people, but tonsil stones, sinus infection, GERD, dry mouth, diabetes ketoacidosis (fruity smell), liver or kidney disease may contribute. Tonsil stones are calcified debris in crypts, found in up to 10 percent of people.
Effective care
Scrape the tongue, floss, rinse with alcohol free mouthwash containing cetylpyridinium chloride or zinc, stay hydrated and chew sugar free gum. Replace the toothbrush every 3 months. If breath remains bad after hygiene, see a dentist to check for decay or gum disease, then a doctor for other causes.
Based on data from the American Dental Association and the Cleveland Clinic
