Bad breath is a common but annoying problem. Maybe it’s that morning breath you can’t shake, or maybe it’s noticing that mints and gum only work for a few minutes. The truth is, bad breath isn’t something you should just cover up. It’s something you can actually fix once you understand what’s causing it.
Let’s take a closer look at why bad breath happens and how you can get rid of it for good with the help of tools like The Slate Electric Flosser.
Ready to be free from bad breath? Get your Slate Flosser today!
The Science Behind Bad Breath
Most cases of bad breath don’t come from food alone; they come from the bacteria living in your mouth. These bacteria hide in areas that are hard to clean, like:
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The spaces between teeth
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Along and beneath the gumline
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The rough surface on the back of the tongue
When bacteria break down leftover food particles and dead cells, they produce something called volatile sulfur compounds. These compounds are gases that smell unpleasant and are often compared to rotten eggs.
Here’s how it happens:
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Trapped food: Small particles of food get stuck between your teeth or in your gum pockets, creating fuel for bacteria.
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Bacterial byproducts: As the bacteria feast on leftover debris in your mouth, they release bad-smelling gases.
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Key hiding places: The back of the tongue and deep gum crevices are particularly common sources because they’re less accessible to brushing. (That’s why Slate‘s 3-in-1 design is so important. Every floss head includes gum brushes and a tongue scraper!)
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Dry mouth: Saliva naturally helps wash away bacteria. When your mouth is dry (from dehydration, stress, or mouth breathing), odors can become stronger.
That’s why just brushing your teeth isn’t enough. To actually fix bad breath, you need to remove the bacteria and debris where they like to hide, not just cover up the odor with some minty toothpaste.
Real Solutions for Fresher Breath
The good news? Bad breath is usually preventable and treatable with the right habits and tools. Here are the most effective steps you can take:
1. Brush and clean your tongue
Brushing twice a day is non-negotiable. But don’t stop there! Use a tongue scraper to gently clean the surface of your tongue. There’s a wide variety of tongue scrapers on the market, including metal, plastic, and silicone. Find one that works for you and add it to your medicine cabinet. Every Slate floss head includes a triple-row tongue scraper on the back to disrupt bacteria and scrape it away. Since the surface of the tongue is where a lot of odor-causing bacteria live, taking the extra 15 seconds to thoroughly scrape your tongue can make a big difference in overall smell. Staying hydrated also helps, since saliva naturally washes bacteria away.
2. Commit to flossing
Here’s the thing: most people know they should floss, but don’t. And even when they do, string floss can be tricky and doesn’t always clean thoroughly. That’s where the Slate Electric Flosser makes a huge difference.
Unlike traditional floss, the Slate Flosser was designed to make flossing simple, effective, and something you’ll actually stick with.
Why it helps cure bad breath:
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Gum brushes can reach hidden spaces: Slate gum brushes make it possible to scrub away the bacteria deep in the pockets between your teeth. That’s what they were designed for! Each floss head is built to help you floss easily along the gumline where odor-causing bacteria hide.
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Easy to use: No awkward twisting or threading floss around your fingers. Slate’s handle makes accessing your back teeth effortless and improves the overall quality of your clean.
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All-in-one care: The Slater Flosser is more than just an electric flosser. It targets and cleans bacteria from between the teeth, along the gumline, and across the tongue— the three main sources of bad breath.
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Consistency: Because flossing with Slate is simple and quick, you’re more likely to use it every day. And consistency is what cures bad breath.
Many Slate customers say they were shocked by how much food and plaque they had been missing with regular floss. That’s the kind of “aha moment” that shows you just how important thorough cleaning really is.
3. Rinse — but don’t rely on it alone
Mouthwash can help with smelly breath by reducing bad bacteria and temporarily neutralizing odors. However, you have to be careful when choosing your mouthwash. Avoid any rinses that include alcohol. They kill the good bacteria along with the bad, and could make your problem worse. Click here to check out some of our favorite rinses. But remember: rinses can only do so much if you’re not removing the bacteria’s food source first.
4. See your dentist if it doesn’t improve
If you’ve built solid brushing, flossing, and tongue-cleaning habits and still notice persistent bad breath, it could be a sign of gum disease, cavities, or another dental issue. In rare cases, bad breath may also be linked to sinus problems or other medical conditions. A dental check-up can help uncover and fix the root cause.
Why Slate Makes Curing Bad Breath Simple
Fresh breath isn’t about covering up the problem; it’s about solving it. By cleaning the areas that ordinary brushing misses, you eliminate the real cause of odor: trapped bacteria and debris. The Slate Electric Flosser makes that process effortless, transforming flossing from something you should do into something you want to do. With a cleaner mouth, healthier gums, and long-lasting freshness, you’re not just masking bad breath; you’re ending it for good.