How to get rid of coffee breath

Does coffee cause bad breath?

Partly. Cleveland Clinic says bad breath can smell like black coffee, and that caffeine can dry out your mouth. Saliva rinses the mouth, so too little of it can cause bad breath. Healthline's page on morning breath lists coffee, including decaf, among items to avoid in the evening, though it does not describe coffee as a direct cause. So the smell is partly from what you drank and partly from what it does to your mouth, and neither source measures how long it lasts.

Why does coffee make your breath smell?

The sources do not name the exact chemicals. What they describe is a mix: the drink leaves compounds in the mouth, it can dry the mouth, and bacteria on the tongue and between the teeth give off odors when food debris builds up. Cleveland Clinic says bacteria and food debris collect on the tongue. Adding milk or sugar to coffee gives bacteria more to feed on, which is plausible but not stated in the sources we read and is flagged.

How do you get rid of coffee breath?

Cleveland Clinic says the basis of treating bad breath is treating the underlying cause: improving your oral hygiene and getting a dental cleaning often helps, and mouthwashes that only mask odor do not fix the problem. For a quick fix after a cup, the practical steps from the sources are to rinse the mouth and drink water, brush and floss if you can, clean your tongue, and chew sugar-free gum to boost saliva. Healthline suggests brushing for two minutes before bed, flossing and an antiseptic rinse.

Does cleaning your tongue help?

Cleveland Clinic says it is especially important to scrape your tongue, because bacteria and food debris can hide out there. Healthline's morning breath page also advises using a tongue scraper daily. That is the most consistent tip in both sources for odor that comes back soon after you brush.

Should you drink water or use gum?

Cleveland Clinic says drinking plenty of water helps prevent dry mouth, and chewing sugar-free gum or sucking on sugar-free candy or mints boosts saliva production. Healthline also suggests sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva. Water does not remove the smell instantly, but it keeps the mouth moist, which matters because dry mouth is a cause of bad breath in both sources. Our guides on dry mouth cover other causes, including medicines.

What about mouthwash?

Cleveland Clinic recommends an alcohol-free antibacterial mouthwash, and says to look for one that kills odor-causing bacteria and not one that only masks the smell. Your dentist can recommend brands. Healthline suggests an antiseptic rinse as part of a bedtime routine. Our mouthwash guides explain alcohol and fluoride rinses.

Is it just the coffee?

Not always. Cleveland Clinic and Healthline both list other causes: poor oral hygiene, gum disease, dry mouth from medicines or smoking, strong foods such as garlic and onion, and for Healthline acid reflux. If you clean your mouth well, cut back on coffee and still have a persistent problem, Cleveland Clinic says to see a dentist, and if the dentist finds no oral health issue, to see your primary care physician to check for another cause.

Can you keep drinking coffee?

Neither source says you must stop. Healthline suggests avoiding coffee in the evening to prevent morning breath. If coffee breath bothers you, rinsing with water after a cup, keeping up daily brushing and flossing, and cleaning your tongue are the options the sources support. Coffee can also stain teeth, which our guide on tooth discoloration covers.

Questions to ask your dentist

Take these to a check-up.

• Is my breath coming from my mouth or something else?
• Do I have gum disease or a coated tongue?
• Should I use a tongue scraper?
• Which mouthwash do you recommend?
• Could a medicine be drying my mouth?

Frequently asked questions