It’s not uncommon for strong foods and pungent beverages to cause bad breath. Even if you enjoy these things on a regular basis you can still clean your mouth and refresh your breath by brushing, flossing and a vigorous rinse of antiseptic mouthwash.

Halitosis, more commonly thought of as chronic bad breath, can be a different matter altogether. The odor can permeate your mouth with unappealing odors despite your best attempts at good oral hygiene. Chronic bad breath could also be a sign of a more serious medical issues.

Dry mouth is one of the more common causes of chronic bad breath. Some prescription medications can reduce saliva production. Also, consuming alcohol on a regular basis can also dehydrate you and cause a reduction in saliva production. In both of these cases you should talk to your physician about your treatment options. You should continue to keep taking your medications, but their might be alternative options to help increase saliva production in your mouth.

Regular tobacco use can leave strong and pervasive odors in your mouth, and the tar and chemicals can impede saliva glands. Trying to cover up these odors with lozenges and hard candy adds excess sugar to the mouth, which increases the chances of developing tooth decay. If you use tobacco products on a regular basis you should talk to your physician about a cessation program.

People with diabetes or otherwise uncontrolled blood sugar often have sweet smelling breath. Foul odors in the mouth can also be an indicator of an infection in the gums as well as certain liver and kidney problems.

If you suffer from bad breath and need help identifying the cause or treatment, please call Madison Dental Spa at 203.245.5101 to schedule an appointment.