Bad breath is often a sign of bacteria in your mouth. Odor-causing bacteria can hide in gum tissue, tongue crevices and between teeth.
To stay minty-fresh, you must brush, floss and brush your tongue to get rid of those bacteria – especially in the morning.
During the day, we swallow about 2,000 times, which flushes out some bacteria. But at night we only swallow about 200 times, which leaves bad bacteria lingering in the mouth.
Mouthwash also helps remove bacteria, as can the occasional breath strip.
But if bad breath lingers, see your doctor. It can be a sign of diabetes or a larger problem with your digestion, liver, kidney or sinuses.
