Feb 20, 2014 11:19 AM EST By Staff Reporter, UniversityHerald Reporter

Bad breath can either be a temporary issue, a permanent problem, or a permanent problem with a deeper medical cause, CNN Health's guest doctor, Dr. Anthony Youn, reported. Luckily, the first two are both common and correctable -- 80 million people suffer from chronic bad breath, or halitosis, according to the Academy of General Dentistry.

Those unable to prevent the yellow cloud from escaping their mouths by their usual routine of brushing, flossing, using mouthwash, chewing on a mint, etc. are likely suffering from the halitosis. In that case, other measures are necessary, according to Youn.

Tongue-scraping has gotten a lot of attention in recent years and for good reason: it works. The instrument, which can be purchased from one's dentist or ordered online, combats bacteria (called volatile sulfur compounds) living on the back of our tongue that a regular toothbrush can't reach and/or will have difficulty removing. Dental hygienists recommend grabbing the tongue with one hand while using the other to scrape as far back as possible, where the compounds live, according to Youn. Make sure to clean the scraper after each stroke.

Specific types of mouthwash should also be sought as a complement to a good tongue scraping. In particular, ones containing chlorine dioxide are effective in eliminating volatile sulfur compounds.

Finally, finish by brushing your tongue with regular toothpaste. Afterwards, consider another dose of mouthwash, according to Youn.

If the problem persists, consult your dentist. Other causes include stomach issues and frequent infections in the throat, lungs, and sinuses, according to IOL. 

Quitting smoking will also help.

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