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What to do if the breath smells bad despite good oral care?

This Premium Q&A, reviewed and published, features a real conversation between an iCliniq user and a physician.

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

My breath has been smelling bad, even after brushing my teeth, tongue, and using mouthwash. What to do? Please help.

Thank you.
Answered by Dr. Rakshana Devi M

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakshana Devi is a Dental Surgeon who graduated from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2020. She has three years of clinical experience. She is qualified to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the gums and teeth and do Dental Scaling, Root Canal Treatment, Tooth Extraction, Impacted Tooth Surgery, Replacement of Teeth, Rigid and Flexible Denture, Dental Filling, and Bleeding Gums Treatment. She is actively involved in all Dental Rrocedures and can serve patients effectively.

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Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Thanks for approaching icliniq.com.

I saw your query. I will help you solve the issue. Bad breath may be due to many reasons, such as calculus, food deposits in wisdom teeth, dental caries, gastric diseases, gastric ulcers, and many more.

I advise you to do scaling once and repeat after six months, and follow up every year. Take an Orthopantomogram and verify for dental caries. Consult a general physician regarding gastric diseases, if any.

Here are my suggestions:

  1. Brush your teeth twice a day. Brush your upper teeth from top to bottom and lower teeth from bottom to top.
  2. Gargle after meals.
  3. Use dental floss.
  4. Use interdental brushes.
  5. Drink more water.
  6. Take vitamin C-rich foods.
  7. Avoid frequent use of mouthwash.
  8. Do a salt and warm water rinse.
  9. Mouthwashes and brushing are not a permanent cure for bad breath. Scaling is required.

Kindly follow up if you have bleeding while brushing.

Hope I have solved your query. I will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.

Medically reviewed by Dr. Preetha. J
Published At December 1, 2021
Reviewed At January 7, 2026

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakshana Devi is a Dental Surgeon who graduated from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2020. She has three years of clinical experience. She is qualified to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the gums and teeth and do Dental Scaling, Root Canal Treatment, Tooth Extraction, Impacted Tooth Surgery, Replacement of Teeth, Rigid and Flexible Denture, Dental Filling, and Bleeding Gums Treatment. She is actively involved in all Dental Rrocedures and can serve patients effectively.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Preetha J. is a proficient Dental Surgeon with expertise in cosmetic dentistry, restorative procedures, root canal treatments, and oral surgery. She is known for her gentle approach, precision, and commitment to patient comfort. Dr. Preetha combines advanced dental techniques with personalized care to ensure optimal oral health and aesthetic results, helping patients achieve confident, healthy smiles. Currently, she contributes her expertise as a valuable member of the medical reviewer team at iCliniq.com. 

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Rakshana Devi M
Dr. Rakshana Devi M

Dentistry

Education:

BDS

Professional Bio:

Dr. Rakshana Devi is a Dental Surgeon who graduated from The Tamil Nadu Dr. M.G.R. Medical University in 2020. She has three years of clinical experience. She is qualified to diagnose and treat diseases that affect the gums and teeth and do Dental Scaling, Root Canal Treatment, Tooth Extraction, Impacted Tooth Surgery, Replacement of Teeth, Rigid and Flexible Denture, Dental Filling, and Bleeding Gums Treatment. She is actively involved in all Dental Rrocedures and can serve patients effectively.

This doctor is not available for online consultations on the platform anymore.

Consult other doctors in the same speciality
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