The major cause of halitosis or bad breath is oral bacteria that usually congregate on the deep surfaces of the tongue. They then produce a waste that is rich in sulfur compounds that create that nasty foul smell. Other dental causes of bad breath include dry mouth, gum disease, extensive dental decay, oral infections and abscesses, oral cancers, poor oral hygiene and a proliferation of specific types of bacteria. Medical causes include tonsillar infections, post nasal drainage, sinus infections, diabetes and lung diseases and some problem in the digestive system. You should really take a move to reduce the amount of anaerobic bacteria and neutralize the sulfuric compounds in your mouth. A tongue scraper and mouthwashes containing chlorine dioxide or sodium chlorite, used together, will help. Brushing and flossing daily; drinking more water; avoiding mouthwashes with high concentrations of alcohol; cutting down on coffee and odor-producing foods; quitting smoking; and visiting your dentist regularly are the basics of achieving fresher breath.