Chronic bad breath

Chronic bad breath is a very serious problem that can have devastating effects on self-esteem, social life, and career. As stigmatized as it is, chronic bad breath has very real causes that, if addressed, can lead to resolution of the problem.

Types of Bad Breath and Causes

Temporary bad breath is very common and can happen to anyone. Sulfur compounds that are found in foods like garlic and cabbage are absorbed into the bloodstream from the digestive system, and then exhaled along with the air in the lungs. This type of bad breath is only temporary and will pass within a short period of time. It can be avoided by simply not eating these types of foods, using special sulfur-neutralizing products available on the market, or with common breath mints and fresheners that will mask any odor until it resolves on its own.

Chronic bad breath, in contrast, is not caused by the specific types of food eaten. Anaerobic bacteria growing in between teeth, under plaque, and in other places not exposed to the air produce sulfur compounds – the same sulfur compounds that are found in bad-breath-causing foods. This type of bacteria can also live in crevices in the tongue, in mucus from the nose, and throughout the mouth.