Bad breath commonly referred to as halitosis is a common problem among many people. When it gets to an advanced level, it doesn't simply go away, it becomes known as a chronic illness. Bad breath is often caused by decaying particles of food and bacteria that pass into the bloodstream and to the lungs, where odor is released from breathing.
There are a lot of over the counter products that supposedly treat symptoms of bad breath, they often neglect finding out the root cause of the bad breath. It could be bacteria, decaying food particles remaining in spaces between the teeth, on the gums and on the tongue. In most cases, practicing good dental daily oral hygiene such as brushing, flossing and rinsing can keep bad breath at bay. This applies to those with natural teeth or even dentures.
Other problems such as gum disease can cause persistent bad breath. Under normal circumstances, saliva acts to cleanse your mouth of the particles that can decay and later cause bad breath. People with the condition of dry mouth and have limited saliva production can sometimes also suffer from bad breath. If you eat certain foods like garlic and onions, take specific types of medication, smoke cigarettes or cigars you might also suffer from bad breath.
In specific cases, persistent bad breath might be a sign that you have a serious health problem that have to do with gastrointestinal, respiratory or the sinus. Most cases can be cured by over the counter mouthwashes and rinses that will temporarily freshen your breath but this will only hide the real issue.