It inspires confidence, leaves a good impression, and accompanies us every day without even thinking about it… until the day something goes wrong. A mushy tongue, an unpleasant sensation, or a slightly embarrassing remark? But what if the cause is more common—and, above all, simpler—than we think? Let’s take a closer look at an often taboo but easily solved problem: bad breath related to certain oral bacteria.

When our mouths send warning signals

Bad breath isn’t just a matter of forgetting to brush your teeth. Sometimes our mouths are trying to tell us something’s wrong. The most common symptoms include:

White or yellowish tongue:

This buildup is often home to many of the bacteria responsible for bad breath. And no, it doesn’t just come from your morning coffee!

Red, tender, or bleeding gums:

These symptoms can signal inflammation, even the beginning of gingivitis. And bacteria take advantage of this.

Frequent small canker sores:

This isn’t a direct cause, but it may reflect an imbalance in oral flora.

In short, our mouths communicate much more than we think… provided we know how to listen!

Bacteria to watch out for

Even with good oral hygiene, some bacteria manage to establish a foothold. The main culprits of halitosis include: