Bad Breath or Halitosis? What are the causes?

Halitosis or most commonly called bad breath are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odor of a breath of a person. It is usually caused by an accumulation of bacteria in the mouth as a result of gum disease, food, or plaque.

Most often than not, the person with halitosis does not know he has before others know. Most people are too embarrassed to say anything to the person with bad breath. The majority of people with halitosis who don't know they have it, most of them are told by a very close friend or family member.



The intensity of bad breath differs during the day, due to eating certain foods such as garlic, onions, meat, fish, and cheese, obesity, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Because the mouth is exposed to less oxygen and is inactive during the night, the odor is usually worse when one wakes up in the morning.

The causes of bad breath/halitosis:

• Poor dental hygiene,


• Poor denture hygiene,


• Dry mouth ,


• Food and drink,


• Medications ,


• Smoking,


• Illnesses, conditions and situations

1. Tonsillitis


2. Other throat infections


3. Diabetes - uncontrolled diabetes may produce a fruity breath.


4. Bronchitis and chronic lung infections, including lung abscesses


5. Sinusitis - nasal discharge can get to the back of the throat and make the mouth smelly.


6. Gastritis


7. Acid reflux (GERD - gastroesophageal reflux disease).


8. Very low carbohydrate diets


9. Liver problems - liver failure may produce a fishy breath.


10. Kidney problems - kidney failure can produce a urine-like odor.


11. Some cancers.

How do you treat and prevent bad breath?

Proper Dental hygiene

• Regularly floss and brush your teeth you are much less likely to have bad breath


• Replace your toothbrush periodically.


• Lightly brush your tongue with a tongue scraper or a separate toothbrush.


• If you like you can also use an anti-bacterial mouthwash. However, this is complementary and should never be a substitute for brushing or flossing.

If bad breath still persist visit your dentist for proper guidance on what to do. Bleeding of the gum while brushing the teeth is a sign of Gingivitis which is a gingival inflammation induced by bacterial biofilms (also called plaque) adherent to tooth surfaces that can cause bad breath. This means that brushing is not enough anymore and you need a professional oral prophylaxis.

For further information about bad breath pls. visit your dentist. If you are in Davao City area you can visit Ortiz Dental Clinic so that they can give you proper advise on how to prevent and cure bad breath/halitosis.

Ortiz Dental Clinic
101 Maa Road corner South Street
DBP Village
Matina Davao City

just across NCCC Mall exit on Maa Road.

Landline: (082) 273-4845

Cel. # 0921-805-2837

E-mail: charlestortiz@gmail.com

Services offered:

Cosmetic / Esthetic Dentistry

Teeth Whitening

Tooth Colored Fillings

Onlay

Veneers

Laminates

Braces/Orthodontics

Prophylaxis

Dentures

Extractions

Dental Implants