Where does bad breath come from?
The vast majority of bad breath originates in the mouth itself — not, as often assumed, in the stomach. The culprits are bacteria that break down food remnants and deposits, producing unpleasant-smelling sulphur compounds. They particularly like to settle on the back of the tongue and in the interdental spaces.
The most common causes
- Tongue coating and insufficient oral hygiene
- Gum inflammation or periodontitis
- Untreated caries or leaking fillings
- A dry mouth (little saliva, e.g. at night or due to medication)
What really helps
The key is thorough, complete oral hygiene — including the interdental spaces and above all tongue cleaning. A regular professional cleaning removes what is unreachable at home. If a gum or caries disease is behind it, that should be treated — then the smell usually disappears too.
If bad breath persists despite good care, it is worth getting it checked at the practice — often a well-treatable cause is behind it.
You can find more about our dental hygiene and the periodontitis treatment on the treatment pages — or arrange an appointment at our practice at Löwenplatz in Zurich.
This article is for general information only and does not replace individual dental advice. Whether and which treatment is right for you is something we determine in a personal consultation based on your individual situation.
