Certain foods, such as garlic and raw onion, give off an odour in the breath once they've been digested. The good news is that this is only temporary and will resolve quickly. In other cases, bad breath can be caused by something else going on in the mouth. For instance, food that is stuck between teeth can rot, causing a bad smell. When teeth are not cleaned properly, the bacteria that grow in the mouth can cause gum disease and that, in turn, can lead to bad breath. Bad breath can also be a sign of health problems elsewhere in the body.

Sinus infections, chronic lung infections, liver or kidney disease and diabetes are examples of health problems that may cause bad breath. Following a good oral hygiene routine is usually enough to prevent and treat cases of bad breath. Specialist mouthwashes (e.g. CB12, ultraDEX) can be used as part of this routine to neutralise and prevent the formation of the gases that cause bad breath.