Halitosis is the scientific name given to bad breath. Usually most of us have to deal with the problem of bad breath when we get up in the morning or eat spicy food, and we deal with it by brushing or using a mouthwash. However, if the problem of bad breath persists for a very long time, the condition could be referred to as chronic bad breath or chronic halitosis.
The causes of chronic halitosis or chronic bad breath are usually the same to that of bad breath in general; however, their intensity is much greater. In the condition of chronic bad breath, no matter how hard you try to get rid of the bad breath, it persists.
Causes For Chronic Bad Breath
From the medical point of view, one of the prime causes of bad breath is the bacteria that are found in the mouth. Now, these bacteria, are essential and harmless, and are important for the digestion of some proteins. However, sometimes, the process of digestion of these proteins is accelerated due to some reason, and as a result excessive amino acids are produced, that are compounds having high sulfur content. It is this sulfur that causes the bad odor in your mouth most of the times.
However, in the case of chronic bad breath, though it is the bacteria that cause the bad breath, the two main reasons for the heightened bacterial action are: a dry mouth and food high in acidity.
Most people who suffer from a persistent bad breath problem tend to have mouths that are comparatively drier than those people who don’t. In a dry mouth, the bacteria in your mouth can act upon the food particles in a better manner and thus produce bad odor.
Similarly, if you have too much of coffee, or high acidity foods, the chances that you will suffer from chronic bad breath are much higher. This is because foods, that have a high acidity content tend to facilitate the action of the oral bacteria.
Cure for Chronic Bad Breath
Unlike bad breath in general, chronic bad breath cannot be cured by focusing on oral health and brushing and flossing more often than you did. Although, it is good to brush, floss and rinse your mouth more often in the day, in case of chronic bad breath, it is best that you consult your oral health physician.
Simply, because, of the fact that chronic bad breath, could also be a result of other medical conditions. Other than this, it has been seen that chronic bad breath is also a symptom for other medical conditions, for which immediate diagnosis might be necessary.
In other words, if you have been suffering from a bad breath problem for a long time and have tried everything that you could, to get rid of the bad breath, then it is time that you visit and consult your oral health professional for the appropriate diagnosis and treatment. There are several people who think that they could handle bad breath themselves, but in case of chronic bad breath, you must visit a professional, however expensive it might be.