Whether you’ve woken up with a sour mouth, had post-lunch onion breath or experienced something a bit more persistent, bad breath has most likely found us all. Even in cases where breath is particularly foul-smelling, oral care experts that we spoke to assured us that over-the-counter solutions exist, even when you’ve given up hope.
St. Louis, Missouri-based board-certified orthodontist Dr. Erin Fraundorf said that while there are many causes of bad breath, the main one is an individual’s oral microflora (also referred to as the bacteria makeup in your mouth), specifically on the back of the tongue.
“Bacteria consume the food particles left in our mouths and excrete waste in the form of volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds are the actual odor emitting particles that you smell as bad breath,” she said.
And while it may seem like adhering to a good oral hygiene routine (Fraundorf suggests following the American Dental Association’s guidance on home oral care) may be the obvious solution to treating bad breath, Fraundorf said it’s also the types of products you use that can help address the root causes of stinky breath.
To find out these exact helpful products that Fraundorf and other experts recommend, plus the item suggestions of reviewers with bad breath, keep reading. But, before you do, Fraundorf cautions that if the smell is especially foul and long lasting, it could be indicative of an underlying medical diagnosis and you should speak to your oral care provider.
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According to board-certified orthodontist Dr. Mariam Zade, "mouthwashes with essential oils, such as tea tree oil or eucalyptus, can also be effective in neutralizing odors and combating bacteria." Based on this criteria, we found tooth and gums tonic that's made with a potent blend of seven essential oils and herbs, including eucalyptus, that target the root causes of the odor under the gum line. This formula is also meant to soothe inflamed and painful gums.
Promising Amazon reviews: "I originally purchased this tonic through my dentist. It is expensive but lasts a long time. Bad breath and bad taste in my mouth vanished instantly!" — Carol
"An amazing blend of herbs that leaves my gums tingling. Both of my dentists of the last ten years have recommended it; my current one sells it. I'm told my gums have receded less than others my age; I believe this product is partly why. It's great for the back of the throat too - really attacks the bad breath. No alcohol or other laboratory ingredients is a plus. Because my dentist recommends a fluoride rinse (44 yrs old), I use the T&G tonic in the morning and a fluoride rinse at night. Best of both worlds" — Zeitgeber Enzyme
"Chewing sugar-free gum can help stimulate saliva production, which naturally cleanses the mouth and reduces bad breath," Zade said. Using this information, we chose to include this dental defense chewing gum that's both sugar- and aspartame-free, but contains xylitol, a sweetening alternative that may prevent certain odor-causing bacteria from developing in the mouth and strengthen tooth enamel. You can find this Spry gum in several flavors like cinnamon, licorice, spearmint and fruit.
Promising Amazon reviews: "Works great, loving it. My son had bad breath awful but now its a thing of the past. Everyone in the house enjoys this gum." — Amazon customer
"I am in the Ideal Protein diet protocol, and this is the gum that is recommended for 'bad breath' due to the body being in ketosis. I highly recommend this gum for its intended purpose." — LadyBlue
Designed differently than your standard toothbrush, the Tung brush is meant to reduce gagging so you can reach farther back on your tongue, plus the wide brush head and short, rigid bristles work to penetrate the crevices of the tongue for a more effective clean. Pair this brush with the included cleaning gel that's formulated with zinc, an ingredient that, according to Zade, can help reduce the bacteria in the mouth and neutralize the sulfur gas present on the tongue that's responsible for causing bad breath.
Promising Amazon reviews: "This product actually changed my life. For a few years I was struggling with bad breath and just didn’t know how to fix it. I would brush my teeth more but it wouldn’t help. I used a metal tongue scraper but it was just ok. I would recommend using a scraper as well as this brush, but the scraper won’t get in the cracks and crevices of your tongue like this brush will.
When I came across this product I was ready to try anything. I was using my toothbrush to brush my tongue but I knew it just wasn’t the right tool that I need to effectively clean my tongue. So I ordered this tongue brush and no more bad breath during the day! My morning breath has not been nearly as bad as before! Seriously guys, just give this thing a try. You won’t be disappointed." — Filiph
"This product has been a game changer for me. I have had dental issues for years—I have a rare disease that causes issues but also probably some aggressive mouth bacteria. I’ve been on a journey of trying to get the upper hand in my dental health. I added a tongue scraper two years ago, but regardless of scraping twice daily, daily flossing, brushing twice a day and using a good rinse, my tongue would get gross again within an hour. I was really self conscious because I could tell I had bad breath. I came across this brush with the gel, and it cleaned up my tongue. Like no more bitter taste or that gross film. So what I do is I scrape my tongue like usual, then use the brush with the gel and rinse with water. Then I scrape again, once or twice. The brush -always- somehow gets all that nasty ‘whatevers’ out of my tongue. I haven’t had bad breath in months now, or that bitter taste in the back of my mouth. My tongue looks pink without any ick. And I’m telling ya, wearing a mask daily really helps you realize when your breath is bad!" — JB
St. Louis, Missouri-based board-certified orthodontist Dr. Erin Fraundorf stressed the importance of tongue scraping and called it "possibly the most important and effective" method of eliminating bad breath because it has been found to promote the right balance of good bacteria in the mouth.
"Researchers have found that tongue scrapers remove 30% more volatile sulfur compounds on the tongue than a toothbrush," Fraundorf said.
She recommends these flexible tongue scrapers — a set that has nearly 88,000 5-star reviews on Amazon and that I'm also a proud owner of. They are made from medical-grade stainless steel which is much easier to clean than plastic and won’t harbor bacteria. The ergonomic design is U-shaped and flexible so you can cover the entire length and width of your tongue in one pass, or squeeze it smaller to target one specific area. They also come with two cases so they are easy to store in your bathroom drawer or travel with.
Promising Amazon reviews: "You need a tongue scraper in your life, it's a game changer. I struggle with bad breathe and this really helps keep the stank away for longer." — Samantha Fryar
"Hates tongue scrapers for the longest time as when I was a kid I had a plastic one that didn’t do anything it felt like. There is a noticeable difference using this one and within a week of regular everyday use my lingering bad breath in the morning is pretty much gone. Don’t underestimate the importance tongue scrapers can be for dental care and I would strongly recommend this one." — Andrew Kerstens
"Rinsing with mouthwash is a great addition to your oral hygiene routine. It can penetrate the small crevices you may have missed with your toothbrush and help improve your overall oral health," Fraundorf said. Her favorite mouth rinse for targeting bad breath is this dentist-created option, which has earned itself nearly 35,500 5-stars on Amazon.
The TheraBreath formula adheres to Fraundorf's claim that mouthwash should be alcohol-free. This is because alcohol can actually lead to bad breath by drying out the mouth and killing good bacteria, which leads to an imbalance in the microflora that causes bad breath. Instead, TheraBreath is powered by oxygen to help fight bad bacteria and bad breath for up to 24 hours.
Promising Amazon review: "Worked when nothing else would. This stuff is fantastic! My husband had been struggling with bad breath since getting a dental implant, despite a rigorous dental hygiene regimen. No matter how much he brushed, flossed, waterpik-ed, used those micro-brushes for braces, rinsed with mouthwash--he still was having bad breath that started out as occasional, but grew to become a near-constant nuisance.
I read online about others who rid themselves of chronic bad breath using this mouthwash, so I quickly ordered a bottle. My husband's bad breath disappeared instantly after the first swish/gargle with this mouthwash, and his breath has not smelled bad even once in the three months or so since he started using this product. I also use it now on a daily basis as well.
It has a very mild minty flavour and it doesn't burn at all. It is clear that the mouthwash is eliminating the bad breath stank, and not simply masking it, as the mouthwash doesn't have a strong scent of its own.
My husband and I have found it to be immensely effective, and I mentioned it to my dental hygienist sister-in-law, and she raved about it and told me she recommends it to all of her clients. It's a little spendy, but in my experience it's totally worth it." — radharose
Reviewers claim that this non-irritating toothpaste is not only gentle enough for the most sensitive teeth and gums, but it also is shockingly tough on bad breath. It's specially formulated with fluoride to help strengthen weakened enamel and is pH-balanced to neutralize odor-causing plaque and bacteria.
Promising Amazon reviews: "This is hands down the best Toothpaste for fighting bad breath. Great taste and really does fight bad breath. I have tried different toothpaste over the years but always come back to Closys." — Koopa
"This is the BEST toothpaste on the market. Nothing cleans your teeth, kills germs, cleans gums, restores healthy gums, and freshens breath, all day, like this product. Say goodbye to morning breath! How? The nightly teeth brushing before going to bed is all it takes to wake up the next morning with unbelievably fresh breath! This product checks all,the boxes and it returns the mouth and gums to a healthy state to boot. I have been using Closys for approximately 7 years now and no other product will do. Closys or die! An exaggeration to make a point! The toothpaste is so dynamic, you can forego the need for mouthwash. Before Closys, I used mouthwash (Fresh Mouth, fantastic product!) multiple times daily. After incorporating Closys into my oral hygiene regime, My mouth, teeth and gums remain fresh for 12 hours or more, eliminating the need for mouthwash. I use mouthwash at times, but not multiple times Daily. If you care about your oral hygiene, then don't wait any longer, get a tube of Closys now. You will wonder how you ever lived so long without this product. And no, I do not work for the company. The product is that good!" — ElleLlane't
When it comes to tooth brushing, Fraundorf said that she recommends using an electric toothbrush over a manual, even though the American Dental Association (ADA) states that both electric and manual toothbrushes are effective at removing oral plaque.
"The Oral-B iO (series 9 or 10) delivers a professional-like clean at home that makes you feel like you just got your teeth cleaned at the dentist," she said, adding that, generally, an electric toothbrush makes brushing easier, resulting in better plaque removal and reduced gingivitis.
Fraundorf explained that due to its oscillation, rotation, pulsation and vibration capabilities, the Oral-B iO toothbrush is able to reach more difficult areas like along the gum line and between the teeth. Plus it's equipped with a pressure sensor, a feature that Fraundorf said takes the guesswork out of brushing and prevents damaging enamel and gums.
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars on Amazon, these pocket-sized strips pack a powerful, nose-clearing punch that can do wonders for bad breath, according to reviews. This could be because each instantly dissolvable strip carries the capacity to kill 99% of bad breath-causing germs.
Promising Amazon review: "For some reason, my breath was horrible for almost a week. Deadly. God knows what combination of things I ate or stress or whatever caused that as it had never happened to me before, but nothing could kill it—not endless gum, other breath fresheners, and even all the "best" mouthwash. I remembered these from junior high, and went to Amazon in search of them, because, well, one tries anything right before a big meeting with the VP....
They arrived a few hours before the big meeting, I was too busy to think about it, and then I slipped one onto my tongue minutes before heading to the meeting, desperately hoping I'd be okay. The entire 1-hour meeting, I was golden. And the week of inexplicably terrible breath? OVER. Just like that. Whatever the problem was, a single strip KILLED IT. Literally, I imagine.
I am so impressed (and relieved), I will never be without one of these in my bag again. I only wish they still had that berry flavor. Oh well, something is WAY better than nothing with these!" — J. Summers (this review has been edited for length. Read full review.)
Fraundorf said that flossing is integral in fighting bad breath because it removes food particles, debris and plaque from between teeth and along the gum line in areas your toothbrush cannot. She suggests using both manual floss (check out her favorite bamboo string floss) and a water flosser to get the most effective clean.
We wanted to suggest this tried-and-true water flosser from Waterpik, which is a cordless and pared-down version of the brand's larger countertop model. Despite its compact and travel-friendly size, this American Dental Association-approved product offers three different pressure settings for blasting grime from your teeth and promises to remove “up to 99.9 percent of plaque.” The brand also claims that the device is “up to 50 percent more effective than dental floss for improving gum health.” It comes with four different specialized tips for targeted and precision cleaning.
Promising Amazon review: "I have had a history of issues with 'pockets' between my back teeth that cause all kinds of issues. I brush and floss...a lot...and can never seem to get everything stuck between my teeth! So, I end up with swollen, sensitive gums, and ultimately have created problems with bacteria and bad breath. I was so frustrated because I brush, floss, rinse...repeat...and could never seem to get it under control. Then this little beauty came into my life, and WOW, what a difference! It's amazing what this gets out between my teeth, even after I brush and floss!!! I use it once a day, usually at night before bed, and in a week I can already tell a huge difference in the overall health of my gums. They are much less sensitive, the pockets are all but gone, and no more bad breath!!! With all that said, it is a little awkward getting used to using this, and I have accidentally sprayed my husband and my dog more than once, but they will dry and it's ultimately pretty easy to get used to. This is a gum saver...wish I had tried it YEARS ago!!!" — Kellibelli1126
Fraundorf said that dry mouth can contribute significantly to bad breath, especially if the type of breath you're experiencing smells "fishy." This is because bacteria binds more readily to teeth in a dry mouth, resulting in bacterial colonies that promote cavities or problems with the gums and supporting bone.
Based on this information, we chose to include this well-known dry mouth treatment that's been previously suggested to us by dentists. The Biotene oral rinse contains glycerol, a mouth moisturizer that quickly soothes and lubricates the mouth for up to four hours. The brand also claims this formula works to help maintain a balanced pH in the mouth.
Promising Amazon reviews: "Works very well -- for meds that causes dry mouth which triggers bad breath!" — Patsee D. Araneta
"My mouth is very dry from my medicines and a dry mouth cause bad breath. This product really helps. You have to use it consistently for a week or so to see a difference." — Depq49
One lesser-talked-about symptom of sinus problems is "sinus breath," which can occur when infected mucus from the sinuses drains down the back of the throat or when bacteria gets trapped in the nasal cavities. Reviewers claim that this drug-free and natural saline nasal spray not only provides congestion relief, it also works to reduce bad breath. Its featured ingredient is xylitol, which "may help reduce swelling and allergy symptoms by reducing contaminant adhesion on your nasal tissue," according to the spray's maker.
Promising Amazon review: "When my wife and I would get close, we'd complain about each other's breath. We would brush our teeth and use mouth wash, but our mouths were fine. I don't know, but I think we coined the term 'sinus breath.' Like we could smell each other's sinuses through the mouth, which is actually more disgusting than having bad breath from food. I remember thinking that we basically needed mints for our noses. Story progresses: I later bought Xlear for its actual purpose, daily nasal moisturizing which has basically stopped my snoring and improved my sleep. Lo and behold, it doubles as the product I had imagined months earlier. No more sinus breath for me, but my wife refuses to use it because she claims she doesn't 'test well' for it (Nutritionist). I think Xlear should expand on this, and maybe even make a more powerful minty flavored spray. Bad breath due to sinus is annoying, and it doesn't go away unless oyu use something like this, which is strange because it's not even what it is sold as. I hope you found my review to be informative and unnecessarily long." — Joseph