Why do i always have bad breath?i have braces; brush and use the waterpik to floss. i've tried breath rx. i see my dentist and othro regularly.

See below: It could very well be that you have enlarged or cryptic tonsils in the back of your throat colonized with bacteria that could be causing bad breath. See your dr to check. Also diet with garlic onions etc. Can play a role as well- try to cut back on these. Also occasionally taking sunflower and parsley capsules can help after meals too.

Bacteria: Very hard to clean teeth with braces on. Have you teeth cleaned every 3 months at an office with a prophy jet. Use non alcoholic mouth rinse daily, use an electric toothbrush.

Lots of reasons : I think it great that you are diligent with your dental care. Braces are a great step to a better smile, however, despite your best efforts they may contribute to bad breath. The swelling of gum tissue from dental movement is very common and those harbor bacteria that can cause bad breath. Try using an extra soft tooth brush on your gum line to ensure better cleaning. Tongue scraper too.

Xylitol: The previous answers all give you great accurate information. One thing you can do is use xylitol after meals. Consuming 6 grams a day will kill the bad bacteria in your mouth. Xylitol is available as gum and mints. While many products contain some xylitol go for the pure gum or mints. You can find this in health food stores and some supermarket or online.