BLOG What is Halitosis? - Nakeji Dental Clinic

HALITOSIS: CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

Bad breath can be caused by several factors, most of which are due to a lack of good oral hygiene. In this blog we will explain the main causes of halitosis (bad breath), and how you can treat it.

What is Halitosis?

This concept is defined as the unpleasant odor of breath. It can be caused by a local virus or an alteration of the organism. Due to poor dental hygiene, in addition to gums becoming inflamed and generating periodontal diseases, anaerobic bacteria increase.

Intraoral and extraoral origin: significance and characteristics.

Within this condition, there are two origins: intraoral and extraoral. Below, we will explain what each one is about.

Intraoral origin: 90% of the causes are presented in the mouth, specifically concentrated in the tongue area. Gingivitis, periodontitis, caries and lack of oral hygiene are the main factors that cause halitosis.

In addition, teeth that are in poor condition are also key to the development of bad breath.

Extraoral origin: Its causes are divided into three: respiratory, gastrointestinal and metabolic.
Respiratory causes: Bad breath is caused by laryngitis, bronchitis and/or sinusitis.
Gastrointestinal causes: Halitosis is associated with patients with cases of hepatitis and diverticulosis.
Metabolic causes: People suffering from untreated diabetes, kidney disorders and digestive problems also trigger halitosis.

Types of treatment

In order to treat this problem, it is important to identify the level of halitosis the patient suffers from. Once it has been catalogued, the type of treatment that the patient must follow will be determined.

Pharmacological treatment: In this case, products such as zinc chloride (reduces the degradation of cellular elements in saliva), benzethonium chloride (eliminates bacteria), phenolic compounds (reduces inflammation), as well as other elements that help reduce bad breath are used.
Non-pharmacological treatment: In this type of treatment, it is of utmost importance to carry out an excellent oral hygiene. This should be a vital habit for us, as well as constant visits to our trusted dentist.

Recommendations

The following tips will help you to avoid bad breath, so that it does not generate a problem in your mouth:

Avoid smoking, and reduce consumption of caffeine-containing beverages.
Good eating habits.
Brush teeth after every meal and floss.
Visit the dentist at least twice a year.

To avoid bad breath, it is important to maintain good eating habits and proper oral hygiene. At Nakeji Family Dental our interest is you and taking care of your smile, remember to treat yourself from time to time.