What is Halitosis: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment
Halitosis (bad breath) is a condition where a pungent and repulsive smell is noticeable in an exhaled breath (particularly noticeable while talking). This condition may be attributed to several things, such as dryness of the mouth, fasting, strong smelling foods (garlic, onion, cheese, etc) and other foods containing sulfur. After the aforementioned foods are digested, the sulfur is then absorbed into the bloodstream and is carried directly into the lungs. This causes the sulfuric odor to be noticeable in exhaled breaths. Â
A low level of oral hygiene also contributes to the onset of bad breath; research shows an average person only invest around 40 seconds to brush their teeth, while experts and literatures suggest a minimum of 3 minutes is required to sufficiently sanitize the teeth and eliminate harmful sulfur-producing bacteria. Morning breath in adults is an example of temporary halitosis (due to dryness of the mouth while sleeping). Â
It is estimated that within an average, normal mouth, there are at least 400 different types of bacteria, and while itâs true that the cause of halitosis hasnât really been clearly defined, in most cases bad breath is the result of food residues in the mouth. These food residues in turn fuel the onset of bacteria, which multiply and even mutate.
Most of these bacteria inhabit the teeth and meld with plaque and tartar, and also behind the tongue as itâs an area thatâs relatively âsafeâ from cleansing as people tend to neglect cleaning the back of the tongue. These bacteria produce toxins by way of decomposing food residues and dead cells present in the mouth. These toxins are actually a byproduct of the decomposition process; a result of the anaerobic metabolism process. Sulfide and ammonia are the ones responsible for halitosis. Â
Halitosis can also be the result of diabetes, kidney disorder, sinusitis, digestive function disorder, liver disorder, alcohol, and certain types of medication which promote dryness of the mouth as well as tonsil stones.
The use of breath mints, bubble gum and mouthwash are asymptomatic in nature; meaning that they only deal with the symptoms instead of addressing the root cause. When their effect wear off, halitosis is guaranteed to return.
For fast, effective relief, please consult your dentist.
The types of halitosis depends on the cause, for example the food we eat or perhaps our individual health issues.
Causes of halitosis vary. Among which are:
Food. Scattered particles of food around your teeth may cause bad breath. Consuming food containing certain oil can also promote bad breath, as well as strong smelling foods; onions and garlics being a prime example. Certain vegetables and spices are also known to cause bad breath. Following digestion, these potent oils are absorbed into the bloodstream and are carried directly into the lungs and manifest their presence in every exhaled breaths for a certain amount of time. Garlic and onion may cause your breath to smell for as long as 72 hours.
Dental issues. A low dental hygiene can be a source of bad breath. If you donât brush on a daily basis, food particles/residues will inevitably accumulate in your mouth, proliferating hydrogen sulfide emitting bacteria. A soft and transparent layer of bacteria will develop on your teeth. This layer will eventually cause gingivitis and tooth decay if left untreated. The accumulated plaque in between your gums and teeth will give rise to periodontitis, worsening the severity of your bad breath in the process. Itâs also worth noting that dentures (partial or full) if not properly cleaned can also cause bad breath.
Dry Mouth. Saliva functions to both rinse and clean your mouth. A dry mouth enables dead cells to accumulate on the tongue, gum and on the walls of your cheeks. These dead cells decompose and cause bad breath. Dry mouth naturally occurs when sleeping, and this the main reason for morning breath, which typically occurs when someone sleeps with their mouth open. Whatâs more, some medications are known to promote dry mouth as bad as smoking cigarettes does. These type of medications as well as smoking have been proven to be problematic to the salivary gland.
Disease. A chronic lung infection, typically swollen and purulent (containing pus), may generate severe unpleasant odor. Some other diseases like cancer and certain metabolism related condition are also known to produce bad breath, as is the case with kidney failure and liver failure. People living with diabetes are also considered to have bad breath, only instead of a pungent odor, their breaths emit a fruit like smell. GERD (gastro esophageal reflux disease) is also commonly linked to halitosis.
Hygiene of your mouth, nose and throat. Bad breath is connected to sinus infection. A sinus is basically a cavity which connects the nasal cavities to the skull, and in children with bad breath there could be some foreign object lodged to their sinuses. These objects are typically tiny chunks of food, causing heavy breathing as well as bad breath. Infections of the throat may also cause bad breath, such as bronchitis and other upper respiratory infections.
Tobacco products. Smoke from tobaccos may cause your mouth to experience dryness, and subsequently; bad breath. Tobacco and cigarette smokers are also more prone to gum and teeth disorders that promote bad breath.Â
The following are some simple ways of reducing Halitosis:
1. Maintaining a high level of oral hygiene
Food residues within the mouth are decomposed by bacteria, producing a very unpleasant odor in the process. To limit the growth and proliferation of these bacteria and cure halitosis, you need to brush daily. Cleaning your tongue with a tongue scraper (U shaped tool) are also advised to lessen the filament present on the tongue. This will serve to hinder the growth of bacteria.
Drinking a large amount of water helps produce saliva and purge bacteria. Drinking water also helps mitigate bad breath caused by dry mouth or xerostomia. If your mouth is sufficiently hydrated, it can help dilute mucus which is the breeding ground for bacteria.
One of the most effective ways of curing halitosis is to ensure a sufficient supply of saliva in the mouth. Saliva helps the cleanse bacteria and food particles as well as lessening the severity of bad breath. Chewing gum helps you secrete more saliva. Saliva also functions as antiseptic and bacteria killing enzyme.
You can apply a few drops of tea tree oil or peppermint oil on the tongue or use it to compliment your tooth paste in eliminating bad breath. The anti-bacterial properties of natural oils are effective in reducing halitosis.
5. Avoiding certain types of food
Reduce the intake of foods like garlics, onions, cabbage and certain spices that are known to promote bad breath. Also, make an effort to avoid excessive consumption of coffee.
6. Rinse your mouth using mouthwash
Use mouthwash to gargle for 30 seconds or more. If for some reason you donât fancy using mouthwash, you can use a mixture of salt and water. A 30 second period is considered sufficient to keep bacteria at bay, do this every day and youâll increase your chances of warding off bad breath. You can also use a very diluted hydrogen peroxide to kill germs and bacteria in your mouth. Take care not to swallow the solution.
Chewing on mint or fennel seeds may help ward off bad breath. The same goes for apples, carrots and celery.
The following are steps you can take to prevent halitosis:
Brushing your teeth after having a meal and prior to going to bed. Floss 3 times a day. The use of mouthwash typically only provides temporary freshness. Without tooth brushing and flossing on a regular basis, mouthwash wonât do much in terms of preventing halitosis.
Tongue scraping. Scraping your tongue can be performed using a tongue scraper sold in most supermarkets. Scrape the surface of your tongue 5 to 15 times.
If youâre using dentures or braces, donât forget to always clean them properly.
Keep the mouth hydrated, by drinking enough water, avoid excessively consuming coffees or soft drinks. You can also stimulate your salivary glands by chewing xylitol containing bubble gums.
Replace your tooth brush once every 3 months.
Visit your dentist every 6 months to clear tartar and examine the general health of your teeth. Tartars and cavities may lead to tooth abscess and will definitely be a concern. Visiting your dentist regularly will ensure that these concerns are dealt with as early as possible; effectively eliminating any risk of complications.