Bad Breath 101: Causes, Meanings & How to Fix It

 

Let’s be honest, nothing kills your confidence faster than thinking your breath might smell off.

Whether you're getting ready for a date, presenting at work, or catching up with a friend, that mix of self-consciousness and doubt can throw off your whole mood — and the conversation.

And while oral hygiene plays a big role, bad breath isn’t always about brushing and flossing. Sometimes, it could be a sign of a deeper issue — or something as simple (and sneaky) as your night guard or retainer.

In this blog, we’ll walk you through how to tell if you have bad breath, what the different odors might mean, and what to do if your mouthguard is part of the problem.

How to Tell If You Have Bad Breath

Here are five simple ways to check if your breath might be the culprit:

The Old-School Breath Check

Cup your hands over your mouth and nose, exhale, then breathe in to see if you notice an unpleasant odor.

Saliva Test

Lick your wrist or fingertip, let it dry, and smell it. If you notice a funky smell, it could be a sign of bad breath.

Floss Test

Floss the back of your mouth and smell the floss.

Tongue Scraper Technique

Use a tongue scraper or toothbrush to scrape the back of your tongue and give it a sniff.

Ask Someone You Trust

If you have someone you trust, a friend or your dentist, don’t take it for granted — they can tell you if your breath smells off or check for white patches on your tongue, a sign of odor-causing bacteria. 

What Your Breath Might Be Telling You

Bad breath doesn’t always have one simple cause. Sometimes, it’s something easy to fix — like improving your oral hygiene or replacing a smelly mouthguard. Other times, it could be tied to an underlying health issue. Either way, here are some of the most common mouth odor causes, according to Healthline:

• Sweet or fruity - May signal metabolic changes or diabetic ketoacidosis (if not dieting).

• Rotten or garbage-like - Could point to infections in the mouth, throat, or lungs.

• Acetone-like - Common in low-carb diets; smells like nail polish remover.

• Sour - May be caused by acid reflux (GERD) bringing up partially digested food

• Feces-like - Often linked to intestinal blockages or digestion issues.

• Ammonia or urine-like - Can indicate kidney issues, such as azotemia.

• Musty - Associated with liver disease and toxin buildup.

• Sweaty feet - Caused by enzyme deficiency in breaking down amino acids. 

• Maple syrup - Linked to a metabolic disorder affecting amino acid processing.

• Fishy - Caused by trimethylaminuria, a rare enzyme disorder.

• Boiled cabbage - A sign of hypermethioninemia, a genetic condition.

• Rancid - A buildup of bacteria, plaque, and even fungi on your mouthguard or retainer can cause that rancid smell, especially if you don’t clean or replace it regularly.

Not sure if your mouthguard is causing bad breath? Learn how to spot the signs and what you can do about it in this blog: 5 Signs Your Mouthguard Is Causing Bad Breath — and How to Fix It

Bad Breath From Night Guard? ClearClub Has the Fix

A lingering smell on your breath can be frustrating, especially when you’re doing your best to stay healthy and hygienic. If you suspect your night guard might be the culprit (thankfully, an easy fix), ClearClub’s products are just what you need.