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The most common reason for bad breath, though, is, to put it delicately, food molecules rotting in the mouth. Mouthwash masks the smell, but ultimately you have to get rid of the stuff. Brushing and flossing remove larger particles, but dentists suggest brushing the back of the tongue as well, where food residues and bacteria congregate. The microscopic bits that remain must be flushed down by drink or saliva (morning breath occurs because salivation shuts down at night). But if you're waiting for a true cure, it won't happen until we eat all our food in pill form. In other words, don't hold your breath.