Halitosis, the technical term for bad breath, happens to all of us at times. That morning you were in such a hurry you forgot to brush, the time you ate garlic bread at the team lunch. It’s normal at times depending on your oral health habits. However, experiencing chronic bad breath is not normal.
If you find that you have bad breath almost all the time, even after brushing or using
mouthwash, something else is likely going on that needs to be addressed. What could chronic bad breath mean? Here’s what might be affecting your smile and why you should get it checked out.
You Could Have Gum Disease
Gum disease is often the culprit behind chronic bad breath. This is because the infection that’s present beneath your gumline can’t be removed with regular brushing and flossing. This will create either a bad taste in your mouth or a foul odor, or both. In addition to this symptom, you might also see blood when brushing or have tender gum tissue.
Since gum disease can lead to tooth loss over time, it’s crucial that you get this checked out by a dentist. Catching gum disease early can help you avoid intensive treatment and may just save your smile—and alleviate your chronic bad breath!
You May Be Dehydrated
If you’re not drinking enough fluid throughout the day, you could be dehydrated. Consider your daily fluid intake. If you’re drinking fluids that will ultimately dehydrate you, including coffee, alcohol, and caffeinated teas, you could be contributing to your chronic bad breath and not even realize it!
While it’s fine to have these beverages, you should be sure to drink plenty of water as well. For every drink with caffeine or alcohol in it, have a glass of water. This will help balance the dehydrating effect these drinks can have on your body and your mouth. Water can restore your bacteria balance and help stop bad breath.
You Could Have an Underlying Illness
There are certain illnesses where bad breath is a sign. These include liver or kidney disease, renal failure, diabetes, asthma, and even throat cancer. There’s no way to know what your bad breath is telling you without getting evaluated by a physician. Your first stop should be the dentist’s office to ensure you don’t have tooth decay or gum disease or exhibit any signs of oral cancer.
If none of these things are present, it’s time to see your doctor to see exactly what your bad breath is trying to tell you. If your bad breath remains without a cause, don’t ignore it. Getting this symptom checked out might just save your life!
When it comes to halitosis, you should absolutely see a professional to determine what’s causing the problem. If increasing your fluid intake doesn’t help, you should see a dentist to evaluate your smile and then a physician to ensure there’s nothing else going on. Don’t let chronic bad breath impact your life—you can determine the cause and stop this embarrassing problem once and for all!
