Ask The Expert: I brush my teeth every day, but why does my breath still stink?

Dr Michael Teoh is a general dental surgeon and the founder of Dr Mike Teoh Dental Clinic, which provides family dentistry, wisdom tooth removal and computer-guided implants in Singapore.

Brushing twice a day is important, but it doesn’t necessarily mean every area of the mouth is being cleaned effectively.

One of the most overlooked areas is between the teeth, where plaque and food debris can accumulate because a toothbrush can’t fully reach. The gumline is another area to pay attention to, as plaque can build up there and contribute to gum irritation and disease. The tongue can also harbour bacteria and debris that may contribute to bad breath.

So if someone is brushing twice a day but still experiencing persistent bad breath, I’d look beyond simply how often they brush and think about how thoroughly they’re cleaning, particularly between the teeth, along the gumline and across the tongue.

Brush better, not harder

One of the biggest misconceptions is that brushing harder means brushing better. It doesn’t. Excessive pressure can irritate the gums and contribute to wear. Good brushing is really about technique and coverage. People spend an average of just 87 seconds brushing, which is well below the recommended two-minute guideline.

That’s why I think the approach behind Dyson CameraJet™ is interesting from an oral-health perspective. One of the challenges with interdental cleaning is knowing where those spaces are and making sure you’re actually reaching them.

The CameraJet™ uses a camera and Gap Optical Targeting™ to identify gaps between the teeth and trigger a targeted jet of mouthrinse as you brush. The underlying principle is a useful one: effective oral hygiene isn’t just about brushing for longer or harder, but about achieving good coverage and paying attention to the areas that are easiest to miss.

And if the problem persists despite good oral hygiene, I wouldn’t recommend simply brushing harder. It’s worth speaking with a dental professional to check for an underlying oral-health issue and determine what’s contributing to it.

The Dyson CameraJet™ electric toothbrush with flosser is retailing at $699 and is available in stores and online on Dyson.com.sg.