Bad Breath
Bad Breath (Halitosis) is an unpleasant smell from the mouth that persists beyond brief “morning breath.”
Overview
Halitosis is an unpleasant smell from the mouth that persists beyond brief “morning breath.” Most ongoing cases start inside the mouth (tongue coating, gum disease, tooth decay), while a minority come from other medical causes. In surveys, 8–50% of people report persistent episodes, showing how common — and distressing — it can be. Europe PMC
Common Misunderstandings
It’s not “just poor hygiene.” Even people who brush well can struggle if there’s a thick tongue coating, active gum inflammation, dry mouth, or a disrupted oral microbiome. Many feel embarrassed or avoid social and work situations, especially when treatments (mouthwashes, mints) only mask odour.
How is Bad Breath Linked to Your Microbiome?
- The main odour drivers are volatile sulphur compounds (VSCs) made by anaerobic bacteria living on the tongue and in dental plaque. Tongue coating is a major source. Europe PMC
- Intra‑oral causes account for the vast majority of cases; extra‑oral (non‑mouth) sources are estimated at ~5–10%. Differentiating these matters for treatment. Europe PMC
- Systematic reviews suggest some probiotics can reduce VSCs in the short term, though benefits vary by strain and study design; they’re best used alongside oral hygiene and periodontal care. BMJ Open
Symptoms
Bad breath
Bad taste
Dry mouth
Coated tongue
Bleeding gums
Signs of gum disease
Worsening after dehydration
Worsening after illness
The Microbiome Clinic™
Our treatment approach for Bad Breath includes:
Oral Microbiome Test
The Oral Microbiome Test identifies imbalances and pathogens in the oral flora to explain symptoms and guide precise, personalised treatment and prevention.
Targeted Antimicrobial Strategies
Antibiotics and plant-based/pharmaceutical antimicrobials (where appropriate) to reduce the overgrown population of unwanted bacteria in the gut and mouth.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Targeted probiotics and prebiotics are introduced slowly to restore balance and biodiversity of microbes in the gut and mouth without fuelling overgrowth.
Individualised Nutrition Plans
Recommendations based on the latest science to enhance the effectiveness of the Repair-4™ and maintenance programs prescribed by your doctor.
Dealing with Bad Breath?
References
¹Porter SR, Scully C. Oral malodour (halitosis). BMJ. 2006;333:632–635. doi:10.1136/bmj.38954.631968.AE. Europe PMC
²Tangerman A, Winkel EG. Extra‑oral halitosis: an overview. J Breath Res. 2010;4:017003. doi:10.1088/1752‑7155/4/1/017003. Peeref
³Huang N, et al. Probiotics for halitosis: systematic review/meta‑analysis. BMJ Open. 2022;12:e060753. doi:10.1136/bmjopen‑2021‑060753. BMJ Open