Millions of people struggle with halitosis, (bad breath) despite daily tooth brushing. Here is a checklist of procedures that can eliminate the problem: twice daily brushing; daily flossing and tongue cleaning; regular professional cleanings and, careful cleaning of any dentures or removable dental appliances. However, if your hygiene is meticulous and the problem persists, we can offer several alternative solutions. First, we can provide a plastic tool called a tongue scraper that cleans away bacterial build-up on your tongue significantly alleviating odor. Or we can recommend a specially- prepared rinse or toothpaste designed to actually break down the odor-causing sulfur bonds that cause bad breath. Finally, if we suspect a systemic or internal problem such as an infection or another underlying condition, we may recommend a visit with your family physician or with a specialist in order to identify the cause.