Everyone suffers from halitosis, aka bad breath, at least once in their lives. Bad breath will typically go away after people brush their teeth or the smelly food they ate passes through their systems. Sometimes, though, halitosis persists despite good oral hygiene or dietary changes. At that point, it’s important that people suffering from chronic halitosis have their Dentists in Haleiwa diagnose the cause of their chronic bad breath.
Common Causes of Chronic Halitosis
Chronic halitosis can be caused by any number of oral or general health issues. Possibly the most common one is gum and tooth disease. Bacteria in the mouth can irritate gum tissue and damage teeth, leading to oral infections such as gingivitis and tooth decay. The affected individual may develop bleeding gums, pus sores between the teeth, and open sores on the tongue or gums that may cause a bad odor in the mouth.
Another common condition that can cause halitosis is dry mouth. This is when a person doesn’t produce an adequate amount of saliva. In addition to keeping the mouth moist, saliva helps wash away bacteria and leftover food particles. Dry mouth syndrome can cause these things to be left behind, leading to halitosis.
Treating Chronic Bad Breath
The appropriate treatment for bad breath will depend on its cause. Systemic issues such as diabetes, lung disease, and kidney failure all cause chronic halitosis. However, these underlying conditions must be treated by a medical doctor to resolve the bad breath problem.
Oral issues such as gum disease and dry mouth can easily be treated by a dentist, though. Gum disease can be resolved by getting a thorough cleaning to clear away plaque that may be irritating gum tissue and causing inflammation and infection. Severe periodontal disease may require surgery to correct, however. Dry mouth may be fixed using a medicated mouth wash and making lifestyle changes such as drinking more fluids, stopping smoking, and avoiding caffeine.
Although chronic halitosis is not a life-threatening condition, it can make life uncomfortable for those who have it. People struggling with chronic bad breath should contact Dentists in Haleiwa for help diagnosing and treating the problem.
