A penchant for eating pungent foods and drinking strong beverages can easily give you an acute case of bad breath. In most of these cases, a quick brush and floss or your teeth or a vigorous rinse with antiseptic mouthwash can often remedy the problem.

However, if you find yourself frequently struggling with malodorous breath, you should not dismiss it. Dr. Wajih Chammae warns that chronic bad breath could indeed be a symptom of a more serious oral health condition.

Sometimes prescription medications can cause dry mouth. This can easily promote plaque formation and bad breath issues. While you need to continue taking the medications, you might want to speak with your physician about an alternative. Even if they can’t find another medication that doesn’t have a dry mouth side effect, you might be able to remedy the problem by sipping water occasionally.

Periodontal disease can sometimes also cause chronic bad breath. In many of these cases, you’ll need to have your dentist examine your mouth and help develop an effective treatment plan.

It’s also worth noting that there are several serious medical conditions that can cause chronic bad breath. People with diabetes often have sweet-smelling bad breath. Certain types of cancer and kidney and liver disorders can also give your breath a distinct foul odor.

If you’re struggling with chronic bad breath in Palatine, Illinois, you should call 847-485-8767 to schedule an appointment at Family Dental of Palatine.