It is estimated that between 80 and 90 per cent of chronic halitosis cases are caused by a problem which originates in the oral cavity. Even if the bad breath problem is not chronic, it is still very likely that the nasty odours come from the mouth.

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For this reason alone, it is worth getting at least the basics right. And this means oral hygiene has to be optimal to prevent the problem from getting worse. This includes adequate tooth brushing after main meals, flossing and also using a tongue brush or scraper to clean the surface of the tongue.

Effective tongue cleaning can make a huge difference because – while it will probably not eliminate a chronic bad breath problem – it will definitely help minimise bacteria overgrowth below the tongue surface, where they usually love to hide. Finding a permanent cure for halitosis means the root of the problem needs to be identified first, but unless oral hygiene is improved, you will be feeding all those bacteria exactly what they want, which means they will reproduce even quicker.

Filliform papillae at the back of the tongue are the cylinder-like hairy structures that can be seen with the naked eye. While at the front of the tongue these hair-like bumps are constantly trimmed by friction and mechanical forces (when talking, eating, etc), the area at the back of the tongue remains pretty much friction free, meaning that filliform papillae grow much longer there and hence they tend to trap a lot of debris. Put quite simply, the front of the tongue is usually self-cleaning while the back of the tongue needs a bit of help!

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Regular use of a tongue brush or scraper is recommended for everybody, but chronic bad breath sufferers need to pay particular attention and make sure oral hygiene is always optimal. There is no need to overdo it either: make sure the toothbrush has soft bristles as well and do not brush teeth and tongue more than three or four times a day.

Also it is worth mentioning that a normal toothbrush is very ineffective at cleaning the tongue. The bristles are too thick to get to the crevices and, in addition, a brush alone is not able to trim the filliform papillae (that is why brushing and scraping is important: brush to clean below the surface and scrape to clean the top of the surface and to trim the filliform papillae).

So if you are a chronic halitosis sufferer, make sure you get the basics right first of all. Curing halitosis can take some time, but learning now how to keep your mouth clean is going to pay off in the end. Remember also to visit your dentist and dental hygienist regularly; this is vital too.

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Learn how to cure halitosis step by step at: www.cure-halitosis.com