Oral Health - Bad Breath If you are worried that you have bad breath, ask an adult in your family or a close friend. If the answer is yes, ask that person whether the odor is from your mouth or nose. If the odor is from your mouth, it's probably an oral problem. If the odor is from your nose, it's probably coming from your upper nasal passages. Most cases of bad breath come from the back of the tongue. Buy a pliable (not a breakable) plastic tongue cleaner and gently clean the very back of the tongue (you have to get all the way back towards the throat, this takes some practice). Floss between your teeth (and behind the back ones) every day. Smell the floss and work more diligently where you find odors. Visit your dentist and hygienist regularly. Ask them to instruct you on proper toothbrushing and flossing. Chew gum for just a few minutes whenever your mouth gets dry. Some chewing gums are specially formulated to prevent bad breath. Drink lots of liquids such as water and weak tea. Milk and coffee may actually cause bad breath, so go easy or clean your mouth after drinking them. Eat a healthy, wholesome breakfast, including rough foods such as fresh vegetables. Gargle with an effective mouthwash right before bedtime. Try not to use toothpaste and mouthwash at the same time, the toothpaste may hamper the mouthrinse's effectiveness. Clean your mouth after eating foods rich in protein. The dental professional if the first professional you should consult with a breath odor problem. The gastroenterologist is probably the last (in case you have a particular GI problem).