Chronic Bad Breath: What It Means and 4 Ways to Conquer It

Everyone gets occasional bad breath.

We all experience morning breath or strong oral odors after eating foods like onions and garlic.

The bad breath tends to go away after we brush and floss or the foods make their way through our body. But what if you experience bad breath 24/7?

If you’re constantly consuming mints and gum or being told that you have bad breath by those around you, you might have chronic bad breath.

Chronic halitosis can signify a serious oral health or gastrointestinal issue, and it’s important to find the root cause immediately.

Thankfully, your Gardena dentist can help.

Why Do You Have Chronic Bad Breath?

Chronic bad breath is not normal, and it means there’s something that needs to be addressed by you and your healthcare provider. Your Gardena dentist can evaluate your oral health and determine if the root cause is your dentition. If not, they may recommend you visit your general medical practitioner.

There are two leading causes of chronic bad breath.

1. Oral Health Issues

Chronic bad breath can be attributed to:

• Plaque build-up: Bacteria live in plaque, and bacteria give off foul odors. Therefore, if plaque is not removed daily by brushing and flossing, the plaque will continuously build up, and the smell from the bacteria will get more intense.
• Dental decay: Bacteria produce acids when they feed on the sugars in the foods and beverages we consume. The acids attack the enamel and eventually break it down, causing dental decay. The combination of odors from the bacteria and dying tooth structure can produce chronic bad breath.
• Periodontal disease: Gum disease is caused by plaque and tartar build-up. Tartar is calcified plaque and contains bacteria. Tartar is impossible to remove without a dental professional. As the tartar builds up, it causes an infection and inflammation in the gum tissue, which causes pain, tooth loss, and chronic bad breath.
• Dry mouth: One of the purposes of saliva is to clean our mouth, removing food debris. If you’re dehydrated or don’t produce enough saliva, the bacteria in your mouth grow and cause bad breath.

2. Gastrointestinal Issues

Sometimes, chronic bad breath has nothing to do with our oral health. Acid reflux and GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease) cause acids from the stomach to enter your esophagus or even your mouth. The acids don’t have a pleasant smell and can cause bad breath if not addressed.

Stomach ulcers caused by H. pylori bacteria can also cause bad breath – again, because bacteria produce unpleasant odors.

A bowel obstruction can cause halitosis, too. Because nothing can move through the bowels properly, the contents within start to ferment, causing a foul odor to back up and release through the mouth.

Can You Overcome Chronic Bad Breath? 4 Steps You Can Take

If you have chronic bad breath, don’t lose hope. You can take steps to improve your health and get long-lasting fresh breath.

1. Change Your Diet

Certain foods and beverages can cause acid reflux or aggravate GERD. These include:

• Spicy foods
• Fatty foods
• Peppermint
• Chocolate
• Alcohol
• Onions
• Tomato products

It’s also important to note that eating foods you’re sensitive to makes heartburn worse in some cases. Do your best to eliminate or limit those foods and stick to foods like:

• Whole grains
• Healthy fats (nuts, seeds, avocados)
• Fresh fruits and vegetables
• Lean meats
• Yogurt
• Fermented foods

2. Drink Plenty of Water

Set a goal to drink water regularly throughout the day. Most people aim for eight cups of water every day. Some aim higher. Talk to your healthcare provider about the amount that’s right for you.

Talk to your Gardena dentist if drinking water doesn’t improve your dry mouth. Xerostomia can be a sign of another health condition like diabetes. It can also be a side effect of certain medications.

Your dentist can recommend products that will help with chronic dry mouth, giving you relief from the dryness and any resulting bad breath.

3. Brush and Floss Daily

Dental home care is crucial for good oral health and eliminating chronic bad breath.

Brush at least twice a day, morning, and night. If possible, brush after every meal. Use an electric toothbrush, which provides an even more thorough cleaning experience.

Plaque builds up between the teeth and below the gum line, too, so be sure to floss at least once a day.

4. See Your Gardena Dentist

Regular dental cleanings can help ensure good oral health by removing tartar build-up from those hard-to-reach places you might miss when you brush or floss.

Your dental team can also review oral hygiene instructions with you to make sure you have all the knowledge and tools you need to keep your teeth and gums in good shape.

What Is Periodontal Treatment?

If your Gardena dentist determines that your chronic bad breath is caused by periodontal disease, they’ll recommend periodontal treatment. It is essential to invest in this treatment as gum disease is the leading cause of tooth loss and cannot be reversed.

However, with periodontal treatment in Gardena, your dental team can help arrest the disease and hopefully prevent tooth loss.

Periodontal treatment consists of using special instruments to remove the plaque and tartar below the gum line. Then, the root surfaces are smoothed to encourage tightening of the gum tissue and reduce plaque build-up.

Sometimes, antibiotic treatment is incorporated in the form of:

• Direct application to the gums/gum pockets
• Oral medication
• Oral rinses

Take Care of Your Oral Health to Enjoy Better Overall Health

Chronic bad breath isn’t just offensive to us or those around us. It can be a sign of a serious health condition.

Even if your halitosis is “only” a sign of an oral health condition, that condition can still negatively impact your overall health.

Gum disease, for example, can increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

It’s important to talk to your Gardena dentist about your chronic bad breath as soon as you can. They can help you figure out the root cause and recommend solutions that allow you to enjoy fresh breath while improving your overall health.

Are you concerned about chronic bad breath? Contact us today! We’ll help you figure out the root cause of your halitosis and recommend ways to overcome it as quickly as possible.