HALITOSIS OR BAD BREATH:
Halitosis is an oral health problem where the main symptom is bad smelling breath.
CAUSES:
DENTAL ISSUES:
Cavities that are chronic(long lasting)and deeper pockets from gum disease gives bad odor producing bacterias extra place to live in the mouth that are difficult to clean which ultimately produces bad breath.
MOUTH,NOSE OR THROAT INFECTION:
nose , sinus and throat issues that can lead to postnasal drip or drainage may also produce bad breath.bacteria feeds on mucus and generates odor.
DRY MOUTH OR XEROSTOMIA:
Saliva plays an important role in rinsing and removing unwanted leftovers from your mouth.It helps in breaking food into particles and also provides disease-fighting substances to help prevent cavities and infections.If saliva is not produced enough one sign is halitosis.In certain condition dry mouth can also be caused by medications ,alcohol or excessive use of caffeine.
SMOKING AND TOBACCO:
Tobacco products leave their own odor on your breath.They can also dry out your mouth.Smokers are more prone to gum diseases which can lead to halitosis.
OTHERS:
Halitosis can also occur due to gastric reflux,diabetes,liver or kidney disease.
INFECTION IN MOUTH:
Bad breath can be caused by surgical wounds after oral surgery such as tooth removal or as a result of tooth decay or mouth sores.
DIAGNOSIS:
Dentists will likely smell both the breath from your mouth and the breath from your nose and rate the odor on a scale.Sometimes dentist can scrape the back of a tongue and rate it on a scale.
Oral organoleptic test is done to rate the odor on a scale.
PREVENTION:
- Avoid gum diseases and cavities
- Practice good oral hygiene by using toothpaste and mouthwashes
- Avoid tobacco or smoking
- Avoid excessive sugar in diet
- Floss at least once a day
- Clean dentures or dental appliances
- Avoid dry mouth causing agents
- Schedule regular dental check-up
TREATMENT:
- Uses of mouth rinses and toothpaste that contain antibacterial agents to kill bacteria that causes plaque buildup.
- Treatment of gum diseases is done such as scaling and root planing.
- Restoration of cavities is done to avoid accumulation of bacterias.
- Infection is treated if there is any in the mouth to avoid bad breath.
- Chewing gum is given to increase the salivary flow rate.
Treatment of oral odor can be divided into 5 categories shown above.
REFERENCES:
https://www.mouthhealthy.org/en/az-topics/h/halitosishttp
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/bad-breath/symptoms-causes/syc-20350922
ABOUT ME:
I am MAHRUKH JABEEN dentist by profession. I like to research oral issues every day and discuss them in detail to create awareness among common people.
