You brush twice a day. You use mouthwash. Yet bad breath keeps coming back. The problem might be somewhere your toothbrush isn't reaching. Here's where to look.

Bad breath that doesn't go away despite good brushing is more common than you might think. It's frustrating and sometimes embarrassing. But in most cases, the cause is manageable once you know what to look for.

Your toothbrush cleans your teeth but often misses the tongue. The surface of your tongue is rough and covered in tiny ridges. Bacteria love to hide there, and they produce sulphur compounds that cause bad breath.

Brushing your tongue — or using a tongue scraper — makes a big difference. Work from the back of your tongue towards the front, and rinse thoroughly. Do this every time you brush your teeth.

If you're only brushing and not flossing, you're missing about 35% of your tooth surfaces. Food particles and bacteria trapped between teeth rot and cause smell. This is especially noticeable after eating.

Floss every day, not just when something gets stuck. If you find floss difficult, try interdental brushes or water flossers. They do the same job and many people find them easier to use.

Your tonsils have crevices where small food particles and bacteria can accumulate. These build up over time and form tonsil stones — tiny white or off-white lumps that smell very unpleasant. They aren't usually harmful, but they cause persistent bad breath.

You can sometimes dislodge them by gargling strongly with salt water. If they keep coming back or are causing discomfort, your doctor or dentist can advise on treatment options.

Sinus infections cause post-nasal drip, which means mucus drips down the back of your throat. This provides food for bacteria and leads to bad breath. If you often have a blocked or runny nose alongside bad breath, your sinuses could be the cause.

Speak to your GP about managing sinus issues. Treating the sinus problem usually resolves the bad breath.

Saliva naturally cleans your mouth and neutralises acids. When your mouth is dry — whether from breathing through your mouth, certain medications, or simply not drinking enough water — bacteria multiply and cause smell.

Drink plenty of water throughout the day. Chew sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production. If dry mouth is a persistent problem, your dentist can recommend products to help.

If you've tried improving your cleaning routine and bad breath persists, see your dentist. They can check for hidden problems like decay, gum disease, or infection. These don't always cause pain but they do cause smell.

Bad breath is treatable. Once the cause is identified, you can address it directly and get back to feeling confident.