Sometimes called halitosis, chronic bad breath could be more than an inconvenience.

Potential causes of bad breath

• Poor dental hygiene 
• Smoking
• Dry mouth
• Periodontal (gum) disease
• Strong food and drink (eg. garlic, coffee, onions)

Some ways to combat bad breath

• Brush, floss, and rinse thoroughly 
• Stay hydrated
• Chew gum
• Quit smoking
• Replace your toothbrush

If your bad breath remains after brushing, flossing, and rinsing your mouth thoroughly, you should make an appointment with a dentist for a professional cleaning.

Other potential health issues related to bad breath

It is possible that your bad breath could be linked to other health issues, such as:

• Sinus infection
• Bronchitis
• GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disorder)
• Kidney disease
• Diabetes

These issues will not be treatable by your dentist, so if they believe there is another cause of your bad breath, they will refer you to a GP doctor for further investigation.