What is Chronic Halitosis?
New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA
Halitosis Treatment provided by Dr. Gus Dehni
and Dr. Chris Webb
in New Bedford, Falmouth, & Hyannis, MA at Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry
 Your smile is one of the first things that people notice about you. A gorgeous grin filled with perfectly straight, white, blemish-free teeth can leave a lasting impression. However, even if your smile is perfect, bad breath can detract from its appearance, ruining the impressions that you leave. If your breath is consistently bad, it can have a serious impact on your quality of life, and your social life. Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry can help you get to the root of the problem.
What is Chronic Halitosis?
Halitosis is a technical term for bad breath. Chronic halitosis is persistent bad breath, which cannot be handled simply by brushing and flossing, mouthwash, gum, or breath mints. Unlike bad breath that you experience first thing in the morning or bad breath that you get after eating certain types of foods, chronic halitosis lingers, and can often be indicative of a bigger issue.
What Causes Chronic Halitosis?
There are several different causes of chronic halitosis.
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Oral health issues. Issues such as gum disease and cavities provide hiding places for oral bacteria, where they cannot be reached with the bristles of a toothbrush.
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Infections. Infections such as sinusitis, respiratory tract infections, and other issues that affect the nose, mouth, and throat can lead to postnasal drip.
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Dry mouth, or xerostomia. Saliva is important for eliminating harmful bacteria and lingering food particles by washing them away. If you do not produce sufficient saliva, your mouth becomes dry, creating an ideal environment for bacterial growth.
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Smoking, and other tobacco products. Tobacco products not only cause foul odors, but they can also contribute to dry mouth.
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Health conditions. Certain health conditions such as diabetes, issues with the kidneys, issues with the liver, and more can cause chronic halitosis. |
How is Chronic Halitosis Treated?
Typically, brushing and flossing on a daily basis helps to not only keep your mouth clean but your breath fresh as well. It is also important to remember to clean your tongue, which can harbor odor-causing bacteria. If you wear dentures, make sure that you remove them and clean them thoroughly every day. Otherwise, they can harbor harmful bacteria that can lead to bad breath.
If you have oral health issues, such as gum disease or cavities, it is essential to have them treated right away. Ignoring treatment not only means your breath will suffer, but your oral health will decline as well. The longer you wait, the more invasive the treatments will need to be.
To determine the exact cause of your chronic halitosis, a thorough oral exam is needed. We will examine your gums and your teeth for signs of decay and infection. We can treat cavities and gum disease. We may prescribe a prescription mouthwash, which is designed to eliminate odor-causing bacteria rather than masking them. If we determine that the cause of your halitosis is not from an issue in your mouth, we may then refer you to your regular physician or another specialist.
Chronic halitosis can be embarrassing, but it is treatable. If you are suffering from persistent bad breath no matter how much you brush and floss, call Center for Advanced Periodontics and Implant Dentistry to schedule your consultation today at 508-204-3145.
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