Bad breath happens to everyone occasionally. But when it’s persistent and won’t go away no matter how much you brush, it can affect your confidence at work, in social situations, and in your personal relationships. If you deal with chronic bad breath, you’re not alone.
At Dupont Dental, Dr. Christopher Banks helps Washington, DC, patients identify the root cause of their bad breath and find lasting solutions. Whether your halitosis stems from a dental issue, a lifestyle habit, or a health condition, we’ll work with you to address this dental concern.
What Is Halitosis?
Halitosis is the medical term for chronic bad breath. It’s different from the temporary bad breath you might have after eating garlic or onions. Halitosis is persistent and doesn’t go away with brushing, mouthwash, or mints. It often signals an underlying problem that needs professional attention.
Many people don’t realize their breath is a problem until someone else mentions it, which can be embarrassing. If you suspect you have chronic bad breath, we recommend that you schedule a dental evaluation as the best first step.
What Causes Bad Breath?
Bad breath has many possible causes, and often more than one factor is involved. We’re here so you can understand the source and find the right treatment.
Poor Oral Hygiene
The most common cause of bad breath is poor oral hygiene. When you don’t brush and floss regularly, food particles stay in your mouth and break down over time. This gives odor-producing bacteria the perfect environment to grow. Plaque builds up on your teeth and along your gumline. When plaque hardens into tartar, it becomes a lasting source of bad breath that only a professional cleaning can remove.
Your tongue plays a big role too. Bacteria collect on its surface, especially toward the back, and release strong odors. That white or yellowish coating you sometimes notice on your tongue is actually a layer of bacteria, dead cells, and food debris. Remember to brush your tongue or use a tongue scraper every day to make a real difference in how your breath smells.
Gum Disease
Persistent bad breath that doesn’t improve when you brush is one of the most common early warning signs of gum disease. When bacteria infect the gums, they create pockets between your teeth and gums where more bacteria grow and produce strong odors. These pockets are difficult to clean at home, so the problem worsens without professional treatment.
At Dupont Dental, Dr. Banks uses laser dentistry for minimally invasive gum treatment. This approach targets bacteria below the gumline with less discomfort and faster healing than traditional methods. Treating gum disease often resolves chronic bad breath completely.
Dry Mouth
Saliva is your mouth’s natural cleaning system. It washes away food particles, neutralizes acids, and keeps bacteria under control. When saliva production drops, bacteria multiply more quickly and produce stronger odors.
Dry mouth can be caused by dehydration, mouth breathing, certain medications, or medical conditions that affect the salivary glands. It’s also why morning breath is so common. Saliva production slows when you sleep and allows bacteria to multiply overnight.
If you wake up with a dry mouth or feel constantly thirsty throughout the day, let Dr. Banks know at your next visit.
Diet and Lifestyle
What you eat and drink directly affects your breath. Strong-smelling foods like garlic and onions release compounds that enter your bloodstream and are exhaled through your lungs. Brushing won’t fully fix this because the smell is coming from inside your body, not just your mouth.
Coffee dries out your mouth and leaves residue that worsens breath. Very low-carb diets can also cause a distinct fruity odor. Smoking and tobacco use are major contributors too. Tobacco dries out the mouth, irritates the gums, and leaves a smell that’s hard to mask even with mouthwash.
Health Conditions
Sometimes bad breath is linked to health conditions beyond the mouth. Sinus infections, allergies, and postnasal drip can cause breath odors. Acid reflux allows stomach acid to back up into the throat and creates a sour smell. Conditions like diabetes, liver problems, and kidney disease can also cause distinctive breath odors due to changes in the body’s chemistry.
If Dr. Banks examines your mouth and finds no dental cause for your bad breath, he may recommend seeing your doctor to rule out other health conditions.
Bad Breath Treatment in Washington, DC
Treatment for halitosis depends on the underlying cause. At Dupont Dental, we take a thorough, whole-patient approach to diagnosing and treating bad breath.
- Professional Cleanings: A professional cleaning removes the plaque and tartar buildup that you can’t remove at home. This is often the most effective first step in treating chronic bad breath because it eliminates the bacteria and buildup that are causing the problem. Most patients notice an improvement in their breath right after their first professional cleaning.
- Periodontal Treatment: If gum problems contribute to your bad breath, Dr. Banks will recommend appropriate gum disease treatment. This may include scaling and root planing, a deep cleaning procedure that removes bacteria from below the gumline. For more advanced cases, laser gum therapy provides a minimally invasive option with excellent results.
- Dry Mouth Solutions: If you have dry mouth that causes bad breath, we can recommend products and strategies to increase saliva production. This may include prescription mouth rinses and saliva substitutes. Dr. Banks may also recommend adjustments to your daily routine.
- Restorative Care: Cavities, cracked teeth, and poorly fitting dental appliances can trap food and bacteria in places that are hard to clean. This buildup creates a breeding ground for the bacteria that cause bad breath. During your evaluation, Dr. Banks will carefully examine your mouth for any of these issues. He may replace your restoration or create a new one after he thoroughly cleans your teeth.
Tips for Preventing Bad Breath at Home
Good daily habits keep your breath fresh between dental visits. We recommend that you follow these tips:
- Brush your teeth at least twice a day
- Floss at least once daily to remove food and bacteria between teeth
- Brush or scrape your tongue every time you brush your teeth
- Rinse with an antibacterial mouthwash twice daily
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day
- Limit coffee, alcohol, and tobacco
- Visit Dupont Dental for cleanings at least twice a year
If your bad breath doesn’t improve after two weeks of improved oral hygiene, it’s time to schedule a dental visit. Don’t feel embarrassed about bringing up bad breath at your appointment. It’s one of the most common concerns we address, and our team handles it with complete discretion and professionalism.
Schedule Your Halitosis Consultation
Chronic bad breath is treatable, and you don’t have to live with it. Dr. Christopher Banks and the team at Dupont Dental will identify the source of your halitosis in Washington, DC.
Call (202) 946-4720 or request an appointment with us today. We welcome patients from across the DC, including Dupont Circle, Georgetown, Adams Morgan, Logan Circle, and Capitol Hill.