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The treatment you'll need for bad breath depends on what's causing it. Some kinds of bad breath go away on their own, or when you brush your teeth. But for some kinds of bad breath, you'll need to see your dentist or doctor.

For example, you can get bad breath if you eat strong-smelling foods, such as onions. This is temporary, and nothing to worry about. It will go away in a little while, and more quickly if you brush your teeth, rinse your mouth or chew sugar-free gum.

But you can also get bad breath because of bacteria in your mouth, gum disease or a medical condition. These things may need treatment.

The first thing many people do is try something themselves to get rid of bad breath. We didn't find any research to say whether these things help, but you may want to try:^{1 2}

• Stopping smoking
• Avoiding spicy or strong-smelling food
• Chewing sugar-free gum regularly
• Eating regularly. But remember that snacking, especially on sugary foods, isn't very good for your teeth
• Eating breakfast every day. It's a good idea to include some fresh fruit. Pineapple contains an enzyme that helps clean your mouth
• Using mouthwash, pills or a spray designed to fight bad breath
• Chewing fresh parsley, mint, cloves or fennel seeds.

If your breath doesn't get any better after trying these things, you may decide to visit your dentist. Most of the time, your dentist will be able to give you all the help you need.

If you have bad breath caused by bacteria on your tongue, your dentist will probably advise you to brush your teeth more thoroughly and use mouthwash.³ To read more, see Oral hygiene.

Some people get bad breath because they don't make enough saliva. If a dry mouth is causing your bad breath, your dentist may prescribe a saliva substitute.⁴ This comes as a lozenge you suck, a spray or a gel. Or your dentist may suggest you suck sugarless candy and drink more fluids.

If you have really bad breath that doesn't improve with self-treatment, your dentist may prescribe an antibiotic called metronidazole. Some brand names are Flagyl, Metric 21 and Protostat.¹ Antibiotics are drugs that kill bacteria.

If you have bad breath caused by gum disease, you'll need to improve your oral hygiene. But your dentist will also need to treat the underlying problem. To read more, see Treatments for gum disease.

If your bad breath turns out to be caused by an infection or another medical condition, you'll need to see your doctor.⁵

If your dentist can't find any sign of bad breath, they will reassure you that your breath is perfectly acceptable.⁶

If you're still really worried about having bad breath, even after you've been reassured by your dentist, you may have a condition called halitophobia. This is a strong fear of having bad breath, even though your breath actually smells fine. As with any kind of phobia, a psychologist or psychiatrist will be able to help you.³

This information is for educational use only, and is not a substitute for prompt professional medical advice. Readers should always consult a physician or other professional for advice and treatment. ©BMJ Publishing Group Limited 2008. All rights reserved.