The bacteria inside your mouth tend to produce compounds of sulfur that contribute to bad breath and foul odor. Regularly brushing your teeth with a fluoride-based toothpaste helps prevent the buildup of this bacteria by ridding your mouth of food remnants and particles.

Make sure to brush your teeth every day, at least twice a day. Ideally, you want to brush your teeth in the morning, after breakfast, and at night after dinner.

If you're someone who does not regularly clean their tongue, this is likely contributing to your bad breath. You may benefit from brushing your tongue or using a tongue scraper to eliminate the build-up of bacteria. Regular use of a tongue cleaning device will help you get rid of the white coating, built up over time. 

Finally, it is recommended that you floss your teeth at least once a day to remove that hard-to-reach debris and plaque between your teeth. Alternatively, if you are unable to do this every day, try and practice flossing at least twice a week. 

Tooth cavities, dead teeth, and gum disease can sometimes hide in plain sight. However, they do contribute to bad breath. If you're someone who hasn't had success with eliminating bad breath despite having a consistently good oral hygiene routine, this could be worth investigating.

Make it a point to visit your dentist at least once in six months for a routine checkup or cleaning. Not only will this ensure that your teeth get a thorough cleaning, but your dentist will also be able to identify diseases (if any) during their earlier stages. Alternatively, your dentist will also be able to rule out oral hygiene or dental issues as a cause for your bad breath. 

You can then look towards lifestyle habits or consult a general physician to address other potential causes. These could include diabetes, kidney failure, liver failure, intestinal blockage or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).

Smoking tends to leave behind chemical compounds in your mouth. These compounds combine with your saliva to create a stale, unpleasant smell. Tobacco can also be a cause of mouth dryness, which in turn contributes to bad breath. 

Further, as a habit, smoking is also associated with a host of gum and mouth diseases and the overall deterioration of your oral well-being. Consider cutting down or giving up on smoking to enjoy fresher breath. 

For many of us, this is easier said than done, however, here are a few tips to help you quit smoking: 

Look into nicotine replacement therapy

Identify your triggers and take steps to avoid them

Chew on sugarless gum when the urge to smoke strikes

Take up a physical activity

Find healthier ways to cope with and manage stress

Remind yourself of all the benefits of quitting this habit

If you still find yourself unable to quit, don't be afraid to talk to a mental health professional who specializes in treating addictions. 

A dry mouth is primed for bad breath. Make sure to keep your body hydrated by consuming at least eight glasses of water a day. Drinking water will help flush down those particles of food in your mouth and reduce bacterial compounds. 

If you notice a dry mouth problem due to a lack of saliva, this can be remedied by certain OTC medications. However, be sure to talk to your dentist about a more long-term remedy.

Finally, pay attention to your diet. Incorporate healthy snacks like carrots, celery sticks, apples, cucumbers, and other crunchy veggies into your meals or consume them during the day when you crave a snack. Not only are these more nutritious than those high-sodium, deep-fried snacks, but they also increase the flow of saliva in your mouth. Salty snacks and high sugar foods tend to be bacteria magnets. Swapping them out for crispy veggies and fruits is a great way to improve your breath and eliminate bad odors in the long run.