Halitosis – the third leading cause of dental visits

Halitosis is the third leading reason for patients’ visits to dental offices, right after tooth decay and periodontitis. According to statistical data, the issue of bad breath affects as much as 25% of the world’s population. Halitosis is most commonly a chronic condition characterized by a persistent unpleasant odor emanating from the mouth.

TYPES OF HALITOSIS

There are three forms of halitosis: genuine, pseudohalitosis, and halitophobia. Genuine halitosis is the most common type, associated with pathological changes within the oral cavity or other organs of the body. Pseudohalitosis is the patient’s belief in the presence of unpleasant breath odor despite the absence of objective symptoms. This condition has a psychological basis. Halitophobia has a psychological basis as well; it is a fear or apprehension of developing bad breath. It most commonly affects individuals who have previously experienced halitosis. The etiology of halitosis encompasses two primary causes: bacterial and other.

Bacterial

The most common cause of unpleasant breath odor is anaerobic bacteria that arise from the breakdown of protein compounds. They produce volatile sulfur compounds that cause the odor of ammonia, acetone, or rotten eggs. Pathogenic bacteria that cause periodontal diseases are also responsible for bad breath.

Other causes include

• Improper oral hygiene
• Tooth decay
• Accumulation of dental plaque
• Untreated roots of teeth in an inflammatory state
• Oral thrush
• Tonsil infections
• Infections in the nasopharynx
• Respiratory system diseases including respiratory tract cancers
• Digestive system diseases such as gastric reflux disease, esophageal diverticula, esophageal cancer
• Diabetes
• Liver failure
• Chronic kidney diseases
• Crohn’s disease
• Inflammatory sinusitis.

TREATMENT OF HALITOSIS

The first step in treating halitosis, as with other diseases, is to determine the cause of its occurrence. If the cause is a dental condition, a dentist will treat it accordingly. If the cause lies in poor oral hygiene practices, addressing the consequences of neglect and providing thorough instruction on these practices should be sufficient. If the cause is dietary errors, excluding them may require consultation with a dietitian. If the cause is systemic diseases, the dentist will refer the patient for appropriate consultations with specialist doctors.

The best prevention for bad breath problems is daily properly performed oral hygiene procedures.