Halitosis
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Halitosis is about more than just bad breath. Its effects can lead to embarrassment, anxiety and depression.
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Halitosis is a medical term for bad breath. Although halitosis itself isn’t a serious medical condition, its embarrassing effects can affect your mood and self-confidence and have a lasting effect on your mental health.
Halitosis can be caused by a range of things including food, gum disease and decreased saliva production.
One of the leading causes of halitosis is poor oral hygiene caused by not brushing your teeth regularly and not going to the dentist.
Some underlying conditions related to the throat, stomach and mouth can also cause halitosis.
A combination of lifestyle changes, oral hygiene habits and medical treatments can help to treat the effects of halitosis.
For most people halitosis is something that happens rarely or occasionally, but for others it can be an ongoing part of life that has a negative impact on their mental health.
When bad breath happens more frequently, or when it doesn’t seem to be connected to what you eat and drink, it could be a sign of a more serious underlying health condition. In this case, it’s a good idea to check in with a clinician to discuss the symptoms of halitosis that you’re experiencing.
Halitosis is very common and affects around 50% of the population. It can affect both adults and children. It’s quite common in those who wear dentures.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Halitosis has a range of causes and can sometimes be an indication of an underlying medical issue, but most of the time it’s linked to oral health and lifestyle habits.
Typically, things like tongue coating, insufficient brushing and throat infections are responsible for halitosis. Eating certain foods such as spices, garlic and onions can also cause bad breath, as can drinking alcohol. Smoking can also contribute towards halitosis, as it reduces the amount of saliva in the mouth, which leads to dry mouth and tongue coating.
Food in the mouth left behind due to insufficient brushing can get lodged between your teeth and start to decompose. When this happens, chemicals are released that produce an unpleasant odour. If food is allowed to build up over time, the strength of the odour becomes stronger.
In some cases there can be an underlying cause of halitosis and these include respiratory infections, post-nasal drip and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD).
The characteristic symptom of halitosis is bad breath. There may also be a white covering on the tongue and an unpleasant taste in the mouth.
It’s understandable to feel worried about halitosis as it can have an impact on your daily life.
Halitosis itself is unlikely to be the cause of any other physical illness or condition, but recurring or long-term halitosis can have an effect on mental health and lead to anxiety and depression.
The most common mental health disorder associated with halitosis is Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD), which lowers self-confidence and has profound effects on social and emotional behaviour. Halitosis can make it difficult to feel confident in social situations and can cause people to avoid them altogether, which leads to feelings of isolation and loneliness.
It’s more common for halitosis to be an indicator of underlying oral health problems such as gum disease and xerostomia (dry mouth). These can be diagnosed by a dentist and treatment will help to prevent other problems from developing.
If you’ve got concerns about your dental health it’s a good idea to book an appointment with a dentist, as it could be that improved brushing or specialist treatment for oral health problems could be the solution to your halitosis.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
The first line of treatment for halitosis is to identify whether you have any underlying medical conditions that are causing it. A clinician will be able to offer diagnostic advice after talking to you about your symptoms and your lifestyle.
As well as looking at the underlying causes of halitosis, you’re likely to also want to address the odour itself. This can be done by using antiseptic mouthwashes containing the antiseptic chlorhexidine, which also has the added benefit of helping with the treatment of ulcers, mouth infections and gum disease.
Successful treatment of halitosis generally requires a combination of good habits and effective medication. Good dental hygiene is vital to lessening the development and effects of halitosis.
Brushing your teeth thoroughly twice a day as well as flossing once a day and regularly using an antiseptic mouthwash are all effective ways to keep your mouth clean. This also limits the growth of bacteria that causes the unpleasant odour associated with halitosis.
Limiting the amount of pungent food you eat as well as reducing alcohol intake can both help to keep your mouth free of bad odours.
Smoking tobacco and eating a lot of sugar can contribute towards halitosis, so quitting smoking and making healthier food choices can reduce the likelihood of halitosis.
Regular dental check ups, as well as a session with a dental hygienist, will help to keep your teeth, tongue and mouth clean, and lessen the chance of halitosis developing.
For many people, taking a close look at their dental hygiene habits as well as paying close attention to the last time they went to the dentist is enough to get rid of halitosis. Using a good quality mouthwash and making some lifestyle changes can be a key part of keeping halitosis at bay. Your dental hygienist will also be able to offer advice about the best toothbrushes and flossing tools to use.
If your halitosis has been going on for a while, it’s a good idea to get it checked by a clinician to make sure that it’s not a result of an underlying medical condition that needs treatment.
How we source info.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
Halitosis: From diagnosis to management. Journal of Natural Science, Biology and Medicine, 4(1), p.14.
CKS is only available in the UK. [Accessed 2 Nov. 2021].
CKS is only available in the UK. [Accessed 2 Nov. 2021].
The Halitosis Consequences Inventory: psychometric properties and relationship with social anxiety disorder. BDJ Open, 4(1).
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