Halitosis (Bad Breath), Causes & Treatment
Halitosis — or bad breath — may be due to poor oral hygiene, but this isn't always the case. It can also occur due to a number of health conditions, including dry mouth, heartburn or even disease in another part of your body.
Nivedita Dar10 Sept, 2024
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Halitosis: One of the many reasons behind “Bad Breath”. Halitosis is a term coined from the merger of the Latin halitus (breath) and Greek osis (pathological process) to describe a condition that meant an unpleasant odor from the mouth or “bad breath,” as we commonly call it. It is a serious concern for the patient as it could lead to social embarrassment and leave the individual reclusive or occasionally even stigmatized.
It is sometimes discovered by the dental practitioner or primary care clinician during a routine examination, and the individual may have been unaware. As social awareness of dental hygiene continues to rise, more people seek medical guidance to help cure this distressing ailment.Visit – MedEd App
Etiology Of Halitosis
Halitosis is very common in the general population and nearly more than 50% of the general population have halitosis. Halitosis is formed by volatile molecules which are formed due to many reasons, and it originates from an oral or a non-oral source. These volatile compounds are sulfur compounds, aromatic compounds, nitrogen-containing compounds, amines, short-chain fatty acids, alcohols or phenyl compounds, aliphatic compounds, and ketones. The source of 90% cases is oral cavity. The number of bacterial species, which are found in the oral cavity, are over 500,and most of them are capable of producing odorous compounds which can cause halitosis. In these conditions, poor oral hygiene plays a key factor for multiplication of halitosis causative bacteria and causes an increase in halitosis. These bacteria include especially Gr-negative( organisms which don't take up the gram stain) species and proteolytic obligate anaerobes( organisms which strictly avoid oxygen for growth).Read More - Thalassemia
Diagnosis O f Halitosis
Diagnosing Halitosis is a tough task for physician for obvious reasons. The oldest way for unpleasant odor detection is by smelling with the nose. Measurement of unpleasant odors by smelling the exhaled air of the mouth and nose is called organoleptic measurement. It is the simple way for the detection of halitosis.Visit – MedEd App
Treatment Strategies For Halitosis
In the event of halitosis caused by oral cavity, reduction of the bacterial load is essential. Appropriate dental management is the first step. Usage of antiseptic mouthwash relieves reduction of the bacterial load. Chlorhexidine can be used as a valuable antiseptic agent, but long-term uses of chlorhexidine can cause staining of teeth and mucosal surfaces. Good oral hygiene instruction is another important issue for oral caused halitosis. Proper brush, dental floss, and inter-dental brush usage are very important. However, sometimes even if the periodontal health is perfect, tongue coating can be an important source of halitosis. The tongue dorsum can be a shelter for these bacteria. If a patient has a geographic or fissure tongue, the coating will be more. Due to these reasons, cleaning of tongue dorsum by brushing, tongue scraper or tongue cleaner is important.Halitosis FAQs
What is Xerostomia?
Xerostomia, also known as dry mouth, is a condition where there is a decrease in saliva production, leading to a dry sensation in the mouth.
How can conditions like Xerostomia cause Halitosis?
Xerostomia reduces saliva flow, which normally helps wash away food particles and bacteria. The dry environment allows bacteria to thrive and produce volatile sulfur compounds, leading to bad breath (halitosis).
What is the most notorious bacteria responsible for Halitosis?
Porphyromonas gingivalis is one of the most notorious bacteria associated with halitosis due to its production of foul-smelling sulfur compounds.
What is the best management for Halitosis?
Management of halitosis includes maintaining good oral hygiene (brushing, flossing, tongue scraping), staying hydrated, treating underlying conditions like Xerostomia, and using antibacterial mouthwashes or products containing zinc to neutralize odor-causing compounds. Regular dental check-ups are also important.
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