Bad breath typically falls into two categories: situational bad breath and chronic breath. The first, situational bad breath, is usually the result of something we eat - onions or garlic are good examples. A good breath mint will usually take care of situational bad breath. Chronic bad breath is different. Here the cause is bacteria that live on and beneath the surface of the tongue, where they produce volatile organic compounds that smell like rotten eggs or old socks.
My #1 tip for preventing bad breath is: Don't forget your tongue! Brushing and flossing several times a day may still not eliminate the bad-breath bacteria that live on or beneath the surface of your tongue. Use a tongue scraper to clean your tongue every time you brush. For best results, try a non-gagging tongue scraper. Watch the video below for tips on how to use a tongue scraper correctly.