The Truth about Halitosis

Halitosis is the medical term used to describe the unpleasant odors that come out of a person’s mouth. The average person refers to the condition simply as bad breath. The impact of this problem, however, is not as simple as its name. In fact, it can have a significant personal and social impact on the sufferer and is identified as the third most common reasons for visiting the dentist.

In about 90% of cases, bad breath traces its origins in the mouth itself and the intensity varies during the day, as a result of stress, eating certain foods, smoking or consuming alcohol. Most conditions are considered transient or temporary and can easily be treated by regular brushing, flossing and the use of a specialized mouthwash. At least 25% of cases, however, is chronic and requires more focused treatment by a medical professional.

Although the exact causes of halitosis are not yet fully understood, the most unpleasant odors are believed to come from proteins processed by oral bacteria and excreted as sulfur compounds. The most common location of the odors that originate in the mouth is the back of our tongue, which is why it is important to brush not only the teeth, but the tongue as well.

For the more serious cases of bad breath, sinusitis, gum disease and gastric disorders are often pinpointed as major culprits. Odor exiting the nostrils of a person suffering from sinus infections can be quite pungent, and bacteria that grow below the gum line are known to emit a foul smell upon removal. Some gastrointestinal disorders are also said to cause bad breath due to the gases that are emitted from the stomach and exits through the mouth.

Whatever its cause, there is no doubt that halitosis has an adverse negative effect on a person’s professional, social and personal relationships, thus resulting in a low self-esteem and high stress levels. This makes immediate treatment even more important for sufferers. It is necessary that the problem is dealt with before a person’s self-esteem suffers permanent damage.

What Causes Halitosis

Halitosis, or bad breath can be one of the most embarrassing problems to have and the sad thing about this condition is that although it affects more than half of the world’s population, many people are not aware that they have it. This makes it doubly important for everybody to know what the causes of halitosis are and how to treat the condition.

Bear in mind that if you do have bad breath, the people around you may already be aware of it even though you are not. Because of the embarrassment associated with halitosis, most people will not say anything to you about the problem and may choose to either avoid close contact with you or just grin and bear it.

There can be several causes of halitosis, the most common of which are oral bacteria, smoking, certain foods and health problems. Bacteria that reside in the mouth, particularly in the back of the tongue, can excrete sulfur compounds that cause unpleasant odors in out mouth. Needless to say, constant smoking will leave cigarette odor in your mouth permanently, causing you to emit a nasty smell when you speak.

Food such as onion or garlic may also leave you with bad breath. The good news is that halitosis caused by food intake is usually temporary and usually disappears after a few minutes or after brushing. Certain health disorders also cause bad breath, most especially gum disease and sinusitis. Halitosis caused by these underlying conditions can be more serious, and consultation with a doctor may be required.

Generally, maintaining proper oral hygiene is still the best way to avoid halitosis. Remember to brush for at least two minutes and at least twice every day. Brush or scrape your tongue as well to remove oral bacteria and floss your teeth to dislodge any food particles between your teeth. Doing this regularly will take you a long way towards beating the causes of halitosis and leaving your breath fresh and sweet.