You brush. You floss. You chew gum all day. But somehow, the bad breath sticks around. If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
Chronic bad breath, also known as halitosis, affects about 31.8% of the population, including even those who brush daily. While it’s easy to dismiss occasional bad breath as something temporary (like after eating garlic), persistent bad breath may be a sign of a deeper issue.
At Schein Dental, we focus on preventive care to keep your smile and oral health at their best. In this post, we’ll uncover some common (and surprising) causes of bad breath and explain how a dental visit can help get to the root of the problem.
Let’s get started.
What Counts as Chronic Bad Breath?
We all wake up with morning breath or get a little funky after eating garlic wings. That’s normal. But chronic bad breath is different.
It’s the kind of bad breath that sticks around, even after brushing, flossing, and rinsing. If you notice that your breath still smells off after using an antibacterial mouthwash or chewing gum regularly, it’s time to take a closer look.
If it lasts more than a few weeks, or people around you start noticing, it could be a sign of a deeper dental or medical issue. It’s best to visit your dentist and get to the root of the problem.
What Causes Bad Breath
Persistent bad breath can be more than just an embarrassing nuisance; it could be a sign of an underlying health issue. That’s why you need to know what causes bad breath. Getting to the root of the problem can help you address this issue more effectively.
Here are the most common causes and how you can tackle them for fresher breath.
1. Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common reason for bad breath is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t clean your mouth well, food particles get stuck between your teeth, along your gums, and even on your tongue.
These leftover bits break down and feed bacteria. As the bacteria grow, they release sulfur compounds, which can lead to bad breath that smells like rotten eggs.
Also, if you skip brushing or flossing, plaque builds up. That gives bacteria even more places to hide. The longer it stays, the worse your breath can get.
What You Can Do:
Brush and floss regularly. Make sure you’re brushing your tongue too, as it’s a common place for bacteria to hide.
2. Gum Disease (Periodontal Disease)
Gum disease is a major cause of chronic bad breath. It starts with plaque buildup along your gum line. If not removed, the plaque hardens into tartar and causes inflammation or infection in the gums. This infection produces a strong, foul odor that brushing or mouthwash won’t fix.
You might also notice bleeding when brushing, tenderness, or gums pulling away from your teeth. These are all signs your gums need help. Without the right gum disease treatment, you could lose your teeth.
What You Can Do:
Brush and floss regularly to remove plaque before it hardens into tartar and leads to gum disease. Use an antimicrobial mouth rinse if recommended by your dentist. But most importantly, don’t skip your professional dental cleanings.
3. Dry Mouth (Xerostomia)
Saliva helps clean your mouth all day. When your mouth doesn’t produce enough saliva (dry mouth), bacteria can thrive and cause bad breath. Dry mouth can be triggered by medications, dehydration, or breathing through your mouth. If your mouth feels sticky or dry often, it could be xerostomia.
What You Can Do:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Try chewing sugar-free gum to stimulate saliva production and help neutralize your bad breath. But if you have chronic dry mouth, talk to your dentist about what can help.
4. Diet and Lifestyle
What you eat and how you live also affect your breath more than you think. Foods like garlic, onions, coffee, and spicy meals leave behind strong smells. Drinking alcohol and smoking can worsen this. These foods dry out the mouth and feed odor-causing bacteria, leading to long-lasting bad breath.
Sometimes, stomach issues like acid reflux (GERD) can also bring odors up from your gut to your mouth. This chronic bad breath won’t go away with mouthwash.
What You Can Do:
Limit foods like garlic and onions that are known to cause bad breath. Avoid smoking or chewing tobacco as it contributes to bad breath and also increases your risk of gum disease. Talk to your healthcare provider if you frequently experience heartburn, as it can worsen chronic bad breath.
5. Oral Infections or Cavities
As painful as they are, cavities can also lead to bad breath. As a cavity forms, it traps food and bacteria deep inside. That bacteria breaks down and gives off a strong odor, which brushing can’t get rid of.
Abscesses (infections around a tooth or gum) are even worse. They can smell and taste bad, and they’re a sign something serious is going on. Old dental crowns or fillings can also trap bacteria if worn down or broken.
What You Can Do:
Visit your dentist regularly since early detection of cavities and infections can prevent bad breath from becoming a long-term problem. Get your cavities treated with fillings, root canal therapy, and new dental crowns.
6. Other Medical Conditions
Chronic bad breath may not always come from your mouth. Sometimes, it points to other health problems. Post-nasal drip from sinus infections, tonsil stones, or digestive issues like GERD can all cause bad breath. So can uncontrolled diabetes, kidney disease, and liver conditions. If dental care doesn’t fix the problem, you might need medical care to look into the issue.
What You Can Do:
Keep an eye on other symptoms like heartburn, stuffy nose, or frequent throat clearing. If bad breath persists despite good oral hygiene, it’s important to visit a healthcare provider to rule out underlying conditions.
How a Dentist Can Help Pinpoint the Cause
A dental exam for chronic bad breath goes beyond checking for cavities. Dentists often take a close, patient-focused look at what’s going on in your mouth. Your dentist will:
Use X-rays
Your dentist may perform an X-ray to examine your jaw and teeth. This helps spot hidden cavities, infections, or old dental work that might be contributing to bad breath. X-rays also help check bone loss linked to gum disease.
Check for Signs of Gum Disease
Gum disease is a common cause of chronic bad breath and can progress without obvious symptoms. Your dentist will look for swelling, bleeding, or tenderness in your gums that may signal infection.
Identify Bacteria Level in Your Mouth
Your dentist may use special tools to measure the bacteria in your mouth, giving a clear picture of whether bacterial overgrowth is contributing to bad breath.
Develop A Personalized Care Plan
Based on the findings, your dentist will recommend a care plan tailored to your needs. This could include a deep cleaning, gum treatment, cavity repair, or referral to a medical provider if the source isn’t dental.
How to Get Rid of Bad Breath: 5 Good Habits That Can Help
Wondering how to get rid of bad breath?
Yes, professional care is necessary. However, it often starts with small, daily habits that add up over time.
Taking these steps can help you fight bad breath and keep your mouth feeling fresh:
- Brush Twice a Day: Brush your teeth twice a day for TWO full minutes. Don’t rush it. Use a soft-bristled brush and fluoride toothpaste. Make sure to get every surface of your teeth.
- Floss Daily: Floss once a day, preferably before going to bed. Flossing removes food particles and plaque from between your teeth, where your toothbrush can’t reach.
- Scrape Your Tongue: The tongue harbors bacteria that create sulfur gases. Use a tongue scraper to remove bacteria and reduce odors. If not, gentle brushing works too.
- Stay Hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your mouth moist. Staying hydrated helps your body make enough saliva, which naturally cleans your mouth.
- Chew Sugar-Free Gum: It helps loosen food particles and boosts saliva flow, especially after meals.
When It’s Time to See Your Dentist
If your bad breath doesn’t improve despite following good oral hygiene habits, it might be time to schedule a dental visit. You should call your dentist if:
- Your breath is still bad after brushing.
- You have bleeding or sore gums.
- You can taste something off.
- Your mouth feels dry all the time.
- You haven’t had a cleaning in over SIX months.
Ignoring these symptoms can lead to more serious oral health issues, so don’t postpone your dental checkup.
Struggling with Chronic Bad Breath? Get Help Now!
As you can see, bad breath is more than just annoying; it can be a sign of more serious health issues. But the good news is, in almost every case, there’s a fix. You just need to be proactive, visit your dentist regularly, and maintain your dental hygiene.
At Schein Dental, we take the time to figure out what’s going on. We look at the whole picture, including your gums, teeth, tongue, and even lifestyle habits. If the source isn’t in your mouth, we work with your primary care provider to help you get answers.
If you’re struggling with persistent bad breath, schedule a dental checkup with us today. Call 704-274-1940 or book your appointment online now.
