Also known as halitosis, bad breath is breath with an unpleasant odor. It can strike periodically or can be persistent, depending on the cause. In some, the millions of bacteria living in the mouth, especially on the back of the tongue, are the main culprits of bad breath, since the mouth’s warm, moist environment is an ideal place for bacteria to grow. But about 80% of bad breath is caused by something in the mouth.

In either case, meticulous, daily tooth brushing and flossing to remove bacteria are crucial steps in eliminating bad breath. Dentists now recommend using a Sonicare toothbrush to help remove bacteria. Sonicare uses high-frequency brush strokes and an extra-wide sweeping motion to create dynamic fluid cleaning action. It can also be used to clean the back portion of the tongue, which is a primary area of bacteria growth. Dentists recommend cleaning this area twice a day with a Sonicare toothbrush or tongue cleaner.

Sonicare has also been proven to increase saliva flow among patients who suffer from dry mouth as a side effect of certain medications.