Bad breath myths – what patients don’t know
Featured Products Promotional FeaturesPosted by: Dental Design 2nd September 2023
Let’s face it, bad breath is unpleasant – for those suffering and for those around them. It can cause embarrassment, social isolation and issues with self-esteem. When it comes to treating bad breath, patients may be misled by certain ‘myths’, which prevent them from taking the right steps to banishing oral malodour. What are these myths surrounding bad breath, and how can you help your patients be better informed?
No.1: Bad breath equals poor oral hygiene
It goes without saying that poor oral hygiene contributes to bad breath, but patients may be surprised to learn that even with good 
oral health and meticulous oral hygiene practises, bad breath can still occur. Eating certain foods, like garlic, onions or spicy foods,[i] can exacerbate oral malodour, while excessive consumption of tea and coffee may also leave a distinctive smell in the mouth. Medication can contribute to the development of bad breath,[ii]as can stress.[iii] Internal issues such as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also thought to leave unpleasant odour in the mouth, due to the backflow of food residue, bile and stomach acids in the oesophagus. Your patients may express frustration at experiencing oral malodour even though they follow a rigorous oral hygiene routine, but there are various explanations as to why they’re experiencing it despite their best efforts to keep their oral cavity clean and healthy.
No.2: All bacteria in the mouth is bad for you
The mouth is home to an immense community of microbes, all of whom play an important role in keeping the oral cavity balanced and in good health – that includes the ‘bad’ bacteria. However, our modern lifestyles can disrupt this harmony, due to our diets, habits like smoking and drinking, and also stress.[iv] By influencing our oral microbiome and skewing this delicate balance, patients become susceptible to oral diseases.[v]
As such, patients shouldn’t worry about having bacteria in the mouth, and should certainly avoid stripping the mouth with certain products. But they should follow healthy habits to avoid the overpopulation of bad bacteria, including following a thorough oral hygiene routine and avoiding inflammatory habits like drinking and smoking. Staying away from foods rich in sugar and fats will also help to avoid bad bacteria from thriving.
No.3: You can assess your breath by breathing into your hand
A very common method of testing for bad breath is breathing into cupped hands, but this isn’t the most appropriate method. A process called acclimation means our bodies become used to our own odours, and so subsequently we become blind to them. As such, a patient may be experiencing bad breath, perhaps even chronically, but be unaware of that fact. You can provide guidance to patients on the ways of testing for bad breath that don’t involve breathing into their hands. For example, patients could run a piece of dental floss between their teeth and then smell the floss, wipe the tongue with an unscented tissue and test it, check the colour of their tongue for any signs of discolouration or simply ask a trusted person to check it for them.
No.4: Burning mouthwash means it’s working
Sometimes, your patients may follow a thorough oral hygiene routine at home, but they’re using products that aren’t suitable for their needs. For example, some mouthwashes containing alcohol can cause an unpleasant burning sensation, which some patients may attribute to its efficacy. However, alcohol-based mouthwashes can irritate the oral tissues, and may also trigger a dry mouth.[vi] As you know, dry mouth is a leading cause of bad breath, in addition to predisposing patients to other oral complications such as caries.[vii]
If your patients are seeking a solution for bad breath, consider recommending The Breath Co oral rinses. Solutions are dentist-formulated, clinically proven to fight the bacteria that cause bad breath for 12 hours. The formula is alcohol-free and pH balancing, so there is no harsh afterburn and solutions don’t strip the mouth. The Breath Co oral rinses are easy for patients to fit into their existing oral hygiene routines, and ensure they can enjoy long-lasting freshness throughout the day.
Help patients enjoy fresh breath with the right information
Bad breath affects almost all of the population in some capacity – it can be embarrassing, but in the majority of cases, managing the symptoms is fairly straightforward. By providing patients with relevant advice and guidance, in addition to high-quality solutions, you can ensure they are able to adequately maintain their oral health and ensure bad breath is kept at bay.
For more information about The Breath Co, please visit
Andrea Hammond Bio:
Andrea Hammond is a Dental Hygienist and Waterpik Professional Educator. Andrea has worked in dentistry since 1996, first qualifying as a dental nurse in 1998 – the same year in which she secured a place on the very first dental therapy cohort at the Eastman Dental Hospital. Following this, she was awarded diplomas in both dental hygiene and dental therapy in the year 2000, and became an active member of the GDC fitness to practice panel since 2015. Today, she continues to share knowledge as a Professional Educator for Waterpik and be deeply involved in the industry as a Regional Group Representative for the British Society of Dental Hygiene and Therapy (BSDHT).
[i] Aylikci, B. and Çolak, H. (2013). Halitosis: From diagnosis to management. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, [online] 4(1), p.14. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3633265/ [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[ii] gianni (2017). Drug-related oral malodour (halitosis): a literature review. [online] European Review. Available at: https://www.europeanreview.org/article/13737 [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[iii] Hong, M.-H. (2015). Correlation between stress, dry mouth and halitosis in adults. Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene, [online] 15(3), pp.389–397. Available at: http://koreascience.or.kr/article/JAKO201521159149402.page[Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[iv] Kilian, M., Chapple, I.L.C., Hannig, M., Marsh, P.D., Meuric, V., Pedersen, A.M.L., Tonetti, M.S., Wade, W.G. and Zaura, E. (2016). The oral microbiome – an update for oral healthcare professionals. British Dental Journal, [online] 221(10), pp.657–666. Available at: https://www.nature.com/articles/sj.bdj.2016.865 [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[v] Karbalaei, M., Keikha, M., Kobyliak, N.M., Khatib Zadeh, Z., Yousefi, B. and Eslami, M. (2021). Alleviation of halitosis by use of probiotics and their protective mechanisms in the oral cavity. New Microbes and New Infections, [online] 42, p.100887. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8173312/ [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[vi] Singh, D., Kulkarni, P., Jalaluddin, M. and Mandal, A. (2017). Comparative evaluation of antiplaque efficacy between essential oils with alcohol-based and chlorhexidine with nonalcohol-based mouthrinses. Journal of International Society of Preventive and Community Dentistry, [online] 7(7), p.36. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5502550/ [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
[vii] Ying Joanna, N.D. and Thomson, W.M. (2015). Dry mouth – An overview. Singapore Dental Journal, [online] 36, pp.12–17. Available at: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0377529114200198 [Accessed 7 Jun. 2023].
