Breath malodor has important socioeconomic consequences and can reveal importantdiseases. A proper diagnosis and determination of the etiology allow initiation of theproper etiologic treatment. Although gingivitis, periodontitis and tongue coating are byfar the most common causes of malodor, a clinician cannot take the risk of overlookingother, more challenging diseases. This can be done by either a trial therapy to dealquickly with intraoral causes (the full-mouth one stage disinfection, including the use of proper mouth rinses and toothpastes) or by a multidisciplinary consultation.