In about 90% of cases, bad breath traces its origins in the mouth itself and the intensity varies during the day, as a result of stress, eating certain foods, smoking or consuming alcohol. Most conditions are considered transient or temporary and can easily be treated by regular brushing, flossing and the use of a specialized mouthwash. At least 25% of cases, however, is chronic and requires more focused treatment by a medical professional.

Although the exact causes of halitosis are not yet fully understood, the most unpleasant odors are believed to come from proteins processed by oral bacteria and excreted as sulfur compounds. The most common location of the odors that originate in the mouth is the back of our tongue, which is why it is important to brush not only the teeth, but the tongue as well.

For the more serious cases of bad breath, sinusitis, gum disease and gastric disorders are often pinpointed as major culprits. Odor exiting the nostrils of a person suffering from sinus infections can be quite pungent, and bacteria that grow below the gum line are known to emit a foul smell upon removal. Some gastrointestinal disorders are also said to cause bad breath due to the gases that are emitted from the stomach and exits through the mouth.

Whatever its cause, there is no doubt that halitosis has an adverse negative effect on a person's professional, social and personal relationships, thus resulting in a low self-esteem and high stress levels. This makes immediate treatment even more important for sufferers. It is necessary that the problem is dealt with before a person's self-esteem suffers permanent damage.

Chronic bad breath is made even worse by the fact that most sufferers have tried all the usual treatment options for bad breath. When regular brushing, flossing and all the mouthwashes and mints in the world just don’t do the job, it may mean that your condition is caused by some underlying health concerns.

So, do you have chronic bad breath? The situation may sound hopeless, but it doesn't have to be. The solution to your dilemma may be as simple as a trip to your doctor. The necessary first step may be to consult your dentist to see if gum disease is the culprit. If it is not, then you will need to go to your family physician for a general check-up. Your halitosis may be caused by a more serious health problem that needs to be addressed.

While it is unfortunate that you have to suffer from chronic bad breath, the good news is that it can be treated. You don't have to live with the embarrassment for the rest of your life because there are steps that you can take to get rid of the problem once and for all.

Hopefully, after consulting with your doctor and identifying any existing health issue that causes halitosis, you can start looking forward to a fresher breath. This time, when asked "Do you have chronic bad breath?” you can readily smile and say, "Not anymore".

Bear in mind that if you do have bad breath, the people around you may already be aware of it even though you are not. Because of the embarrassment associated with halitosis, most people will not say anything to you about the problem and may choose to either avoid close contact with you or just grin and bear it.

There can be several causes of halitosis, the most common of which are oral bacteria, smoking, certain foods and health problems. Bacteria that reside in the mouth, particularly in the back of the tongue, can excrete sulfur compounds that cause unpleasant odors in out mouth. Needless to say, constant smoking will leave cigarette odor in your mouth permanently, causing you to emit a nasty smell when you speak.

Food such as onion or garlic may also leave you with bad breath. The good news is that halitosis caused by food intake is usually temporary and usually disappears after a few minutes or after brushing. Certain health disorders also cause bad breath, most especially gum disease and sinusitis. Halitosis caused by these underlying conditions can be more serious, and consultation with a doctor may be required.

Generally, maintaining proper oral hygiene is still the best way to avoid halitosis. Remember to brush for at least two minutes and at least twice every day. Brush or scrape your tongue as well to remove oral bacteria and floss your teeth to dislodge any food particles between your teeth. Doing this regularly will take you a long way towards beating the causes of halitosis and leaving your breath fresh and sweet.

Most cases of bad breath are caused by food particles that get lodged between our teeth. These food particles encourage the growth of oral bacteria that leave waste products causing the unpleasant odors in our mouth. The best bad breath treatment therefore is proper oral hygiene. Here are some practical tips that may point you in the right direction towards eliminating halitosis.

Brush your teeth thoroughly after every meal. Brush your tongue as well and make sure that all food particles are dislodged from between your teeth by flossing right after brushing. Visit your dentist regularly to make sure that your bad breath is not a symptom of other health concerns such as gum disease.

If your mouth is dry, try sucking on sugarless lozenges to increase saliva flow in the mouth and drink plenty of water to add to your mouth's moisture.

Avoid caffeine and alcohol intake, as well as smoking since these will aggravate the problem of having a dry mouth. Avoiding alcohol intake does not only mean not drinking, it also means not using mouthwash that contains alcohol.

When going out on a date or to any social gathering, avoid foods such as garlic and onion. Although bad breath caused by food is temporary, it can still be a major turnoff. Using toothpaste that contains baking soda is advisable since baking soda has been proven to help fight bad breath and maintain oral health. To top off this bad breath treatment regimen, you may also apply a dash of peppermint or tea tree oil on your tongue. These can kill the bacteria in your mouth and have natural refreshing properties.