Halitosis – bad breath

Bad breath, also known as halitosis or halena, is one of the signs that should prompt you to visit your dentist for a routine check-up, as it may indicate the presence of a dental condition. According to studies, around 50% of adults have experienced bad breath, or halitosis, at some point in their lives.

Mint-flavoured mouthspray, chewing gum, mints and other products designed to freshen your breath and combat halitosis (bad breath) are merely temporary solutions, as they do not treat the cause, but only the effect we experience.

Certain foods, certain dental conditions and habits (smoking, excessive consumption of spicy foods, etc.) can exacerbate halitosis. In most cases, bad breath can be combated through proper daily oral hygiene. If you are diligent about your daily oral hygiene routine twice a day, please book a routine check-up with your dentist.

• Bad breath affects 1 in 4 people worldwide;
• The most common cause of halitosis is poor oral hygiene.

* according to the American Dental Association

Bad breath (halitosis) varies from person to person, depending on the underlying cause. It is also important to note that people’s perception of their own breath can differ: those with normal breath may perceive it as strong, whilst those who actually have very strong bad breath may not be aware of it.  As it is difficult to take an objective view of one’s own health, if we notice a problem that persists over a long period of time, medical specialists recommend booking a specialist consultation.  

Bacteria

Bad breath can be caused by the bacterial flora in the mouth. Certain types of bacteria can cause halitosis. In fact, the mouth is a favourable environment in which hundreds of bacteria, generally harmless, thrive and live. And when you eat, these bacteria feed on food debris, causing the build-up of food waste with an unpleasant odour.  

Certain types of food

Certain strongly flavoured drinks and foods such as coffee, garlic, onions and various exotic spices can cause changes in your breathing and make you breathe more rapidly and deeply.

Bad habits – smoking and tobacco

Smoking is a bad habit that affects the whole body. One of the first, easily noticeable effects is on your breath. Among the negative effects of smoking and tobacco on oral health are: stained teeth, bad breath, an increased risk of gum disease, or even accelerated tartar build-up. As smoking also alters one’s own perception of smell, smokers may not be aware of how their breath smells.

Gum infections

There are situations where bad breath, or halitosis, persists for a long period of time, and the taste in the mouth becomes increasingly unpleasant. This is a warning sign that the body is alerting us that something is happening in the soft tissues, that the gums are suffering and there may be significant build-up of tartar and bacterial plaque, or that a periodontal condition has developed.  

Dry mouth

Normally, there is an adequate amount of saliva in our mouth that works constantly to naturally cleanse the oral cavity. However, there are situations where the amount of saliva in the mouth is reduced, and cleaning is not carried out thoroughly. Dry mouth, as this condition is known, can be caused by certain medications, problems with the salivary glands, or simply by mouth breathing.

Other medical conditions

Oral infections can lead to bad breath. However, if your dentist has ruled out other causes and your daily oral hygiene routine is correct, bad breath may be caused by a sinus condition, gastro-oesophageal reflux, liver or kidney disease, or even diabetes.

Remember! The most important thing is to maintain a proper daily oral hygiene routine!

Bad breath can be easily remedied through proper daily oral hygiene:

1. Brushing your teeth twice a day for at least two minutes helps remove bacterial plaque, preventing tartar build-up and removing food debris from your teeth;
2. Incorporating auxiliary dental hygiene methods into your daily at-home dental care routine: dental floss, mouthwash, and a water flosser;
3. Don’t forget to clean your tongue – bacteria in the mouth are everywhere, so it’s important to ensure you’ve cleaned all surfaces where food debris can accumulate;
4. Watch what you eat – try to avoid excessive or prolonged consumption of spicy foods or those with strong flavours and smells;
5. Give up bad habits – cut down on or stop smoking;
6. Avoid consuming mint sweets or flavoured chewing gum in the evening – these promote increased secretion of acid and gastric juices and can cause bad breath. Chewing gum also stimulates saliva secretion, which in excess can lead to tooth decay;
7. Look after your gum health – periodontal disease causes bad breath. Bacteria accumulate in the gum pockets at the base of the teeth and, if not removed, decompose and cause halitosis;
8. Plan your regular dental check-ups in advance – make it a habit to visit the dentist every 6 months for a routine check-up and regular preventive care.

Stay alert and informed when it comes to your health! Our bodies are constantly sending us signals that our health is deteriorating, and we need to pay closer attention to symptoms which, although they may not be painful – as is the case with bad breath – can affect the proper functioning of the oral cavity and lead to dental conditions requiring more complex treatment. 

If you suffer from persistent bad breath for which you have not yet found a solution, the dentists at DENT ESTET recommend a routine check-up at the dental surgery.