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How do I get Rid of Chronic Bad Breath?

Jacquelyn Gilchrist
Jacquelyn Gilchrist

Chronic bad breath is also commonly known as halitosis. This condition is often a source of embarrassment for sufferers, leading to distressing social interactions. It can also be a sign of a more serious medical condition. A patient who experiences persistent bad breath should consult with a dentist to determine the source of the problem.

The underlying cause of your chronic bad breath will often determine the course of treatment. Chronic bad breath may be caused by poor oral hygiene. Food particles can stick between your teeth and around the gums. If they are not removed, they can rot, which results in unpleasant odors. You can improve your oral hygiene by getting dental cleanings and check-ups twice per year.

A tongue scraper, which can help with bad breath.
A tongue scraper, which can help with bad breath.

A dentist can demonstrate proper cleaning techniques. Brush the teeth at least twice per day, floss every day, and use a dentist or medically-approved mouthwash. When brushing your teeth, don not neglect to gently scrub your tongue, as odor-causing bacteria often accumulates there. People who wear dentures should follow a dentist’s cleaning instructions carefully to avoid chronic bad breath.

A change in diet or dental treatments may remedy bad breath.
A change in diet or dental treatments may remedy bad breath.

If maintaining good oral hygiene is insufficient to improve halitosis, try keeping a food journal to record what you eat. Some foods, such as garlic and onions, can worsen breath more than others. Consumed foods are absorbed into your bloodstream, transferred to your lungs, where you then breathe it out. So until the body eliminates these foods entirely, the breath will continue to smell unpleasant.

Another possible cause of chronic bad breath is extreme dieting or anorexia. Eating infrequently may contribute to halitosis. Smokers may also experience halitosis. In this case, the solution is to quit smoking.

Mouthwash may be helpful in eliminating bad breath.
Mouthwash may be helpful in eliminating bad breath.

Chronic bad breath may also be caused by a more serious dental condition, such as xerostomia. This is another name for a significantly dry mouth caused by poor saliva production. When the mouth has an insufficiency of saliva, it is unable to cleanse itself properly. Xerostomia is sometimes caused by certain medications, or by frequently inhaling through the mouth. Increasing fluid consumption may help treat this condition.

Maintaining a food journal is a great way to track what foods you're eating.
Maintaining a food journal is a great way to track what foods you're eating.

Periodontal disease may also cause halitosis. With this condition, the gums are infected and eventually recede, exposing more of the tooth. If left untreated, periodontal disease may result in tooth loss. A dentist or oral surgeon can determine the best way to treat periodontal disease.

Chronic bad breath is normally a treatable condition. Do not avoid going to a dentist if you experience persistent halitosis. In some cases, however, bad breath may have nothing to do with a dental condition, but rather may be a sign of another underlying medical condition. Other medical conditions that may contribute to bad breath include diabetes, an upper respiratory infection, or a liver problem.

Discussion Comments

anon236084

One possible reason for bad breath, which you neglected to mention, since most people do not even know about it, is tonsil stones.

Certain people have pockets in their tonsils, and post nasal drip, food, mucus and whatnot accumulates in these pockets and forms yellowish balls. They smell terrible. Even a small one can be horrifically malodorous.

Depending on where the pocket is located (some are behind the tonsil) you can remove them yourself with a Q-tip or long thin instrument to pop them out. Spit them out, and rinse with mouthwash.

I have discovered, after many talks with other sufferers, that eliminating milk was enough to stop the post nasal drip, and hence the formation of these nasty tonsil stones from hell.

Few people know of this, and it is a significant cause of bad breath.

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    • A tongue scraper, which can help with bad breath.
      By: chatursunil
      A tongue scraper, which can help with bad breath.
    • A change in diet or dental treatments may remedy bad breath.
      By: studiovespa
      A change in diet or dental treatments may remedy bad breath.
    • Mouthwash may be helpful in eliminating bad breath.
      By: ijacky
      Mouthwash may be helpful in eliminating bad breath.
    • Maintaining a food journal is a great way to track what foods you're eating.
      By: pio3
      Maintaining a food journal is a great way to track what foods you're eating.
    • Anyone who doesn't brush after eating is at risk of having bad breath.
      By: Brian Jackson
      Anyone who doesn't brush after eating is at risk of having bad breath.
    • Practicing good oral hygiene may help improve cases of bad breath.
      By: Igor Mojzes
      Practicing good oral hygiene may help improve cases of bad breath.
    • Denture wearers should perform regular cleanings to avoid bad breath.
      By: NilsZ
      Denture wearers should perform regular cleanings to avoid bad breath.
    • Regularly tongue brushing removes harmful odor causing bacteria.
      By: Aaron Amat
      Regularly tongue brushing removes harmful odor causing bacteria.
    • Chlorophyll works as an internal deodorizer to reduce the smell of odor producing bacteria.
      By: Maksim Shebeko
      Chlorophyll works as an internal deodorizer to reduce the smell of odor producing bacteria.
    • Flossing can remove food particles that might cause bad breath.
      By: Steve Morvay
      Flossing can remove food particles that might cause bad breath.
    • For some people, chronic bad breath can be a sign of a serious health condition, like cancer or diabetes.
      By: Gina Sanders
      For some people, chronic bad breath can be a sign of a serious health condition, like cancer or diabetes.
    • Poor oral hygiene can cause chronic bad breath.
      By: carla9
      Poor oral hygiene can cause chronic bad breath.