What To Do About Chronic Bad Breath

There are many potential causes of chronic bad breath, but the main culprit is often poor oral hygiene. Infrequent brushing and flossing not only allows odor-causing bacteria to build up in the mouth, it can also lead to oral health conditions that cause chronic bad breath, like tooth decay and gum disease.

Strong-smelling foods like garlic bread might make your breath smell temporarily. However, that’s unlikely to lead to chronic bad breath unless you’re eating it in large amounts every day. When it comes to diet, daily indulgences like coffee are more likely to have a long-term influence on your breath.

Other possible chronic bad breath causes include: 

• Dry mouth (xerostomia).
• Smoking or using tobacco.
• Regular alcohol use.
• Postnasal drip, which the Mayo Clinic explains can be caused by nose, sinus and throat issues. 
• Stomach problems like gastric reflux or Crohn’s disease. 
• Diabetes.
• Liver or kidney disease.

To treat chronic bad breath, make sure you’re practicing great oral care habits. Brushing twice a day for two minutes at a time and flossing daily will help to control bacteria in the mouth, thus controlling odor. Brush all surfaces of your teeth as well as your tongue. 

For that fresh mouth feel, try a toothpaste that’s approved by the American Dental Association (ADA) and is designed to combat bad breath. You can also use an interdental brush to clean hard-to-reach places, and a tongue scraper to get any bacteria hiding on the back of your tongue. 

But what if you still experience chronic bad breath despite practicing good oral hygiene?  

To find out what’s causing the problem, make an appointment with your dentist or hygienist for a cleaning and check-up. During your cleaning, your dental professional can remove any bacteria, plaque and tartar that might have built up on your teeth to cause bad breath. If there’s another underlying problem causing your bad breath, like gum disease, they can treat that too, or refer you to a medical professional if necessary.

After examining your mouth and discussing your habits and medical history, a dental professional can give you a diagnosis and refer you to your family physician or another medical professional if necessary. 

 Once your chronic bad breath is cured, be sure to keep up with your regular dental cleanings every six months to prevent it returning.  

Determining the cause of bad breath can be tricky without the help of a healthcare professional because there are many possible causes and contributing factors. But their advice, combined with your own good oral care routine, should go a long way toward finding a chronic bad breath cure once and for all.

Oral Care Center articles are reviewed by an oral health medical professional. This information is for educational purposes only. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your dentist, physician or other qualified healthcare provider.