Halitosis
What are the causes of halitosis? Everything about habits and diseases that can cause bad breath and how to eliminate it.
Symptoms and Causes
Halitosis is bad breath that can originate in the mouth or from another part of the digestive system, such as the stomach. While it is true that most patients (60%) seeking treatment suffer from oral-origin halitosis, the proportion of halitosis originating from the mouth has decreased in recent years. Although this unpleasant odor can be caused by poor oral hygiene, it is sometimes due to an underlying disease. Therefore, it is advisable to consult a doctor when it occurs repeatedly, and home remedies do not relieve it.
Symptoms
The only symptom of halitosis is bad-smelling breath. However, it may be accompanied by dry mouth, an unpleasant taste, or tongue coating (a whitish layer covering the tongue), which are usually signs of other conditions.
Causes
The most common causes of bad breath are:
- Poor oral hygiene.
- Smoking.
- Alcoholism.
- Certain foods like onions or garlic.
- Dry mouth, as saliva helps cleanse it.
- Caseum: small white balls that accumulate in the tonsils due to the decomposition of food.
- Nasopharyngeal diseases: infections, mucus, tonsil plaques, nasal inflammation, gingivitis, mucositis, cavities, sinusitis.
- Other diseases: stomach acidity, gastroesophageal reflux, kidney failure, esophageal or lung cancer, diabetes.
Risk Factors
The risk of bad breath increases when any of the following causes are present:
- Insufficient mouth washing.
- Smoking.
- Drinking alcohol.
- Consuming foods that alter the pH of the mouth.
- Lack of saliva.
- Other diseases.
Complications
The complications of halitosis usually arise from the disease that causes it. Sometimes, bad breath can affect the self-esteem and mental health of those who suffer from it.
Prevention
To prevent bad breath, specialists recommend:
- Brushing teeth after every meal.
- Using dental floss twice a day.
- Not smoking.
- Not drinking alcoholic beverages.
- Avoiding spicy foods.
- Not overconsuming sugar.
- Drinking plenty of water.
Which doctor treats halitosis?
The diagnosis and treatment of halitosis are carried out in the dentistry and stomatology consultation.
Diagnosis
To diagnose halitosis, in addition to taking the patient’s medical history and asking about their oral hygiene habits, various tests are carried out, such as:
- Examination of the mouth for food trapped in the teeth, cavities, ulcers, or cracks on the tongue.
- Organoleptic study: The specialist evaluates the breath odor using the Rosenberg scale. For this, the patient must avoid spicy foods for several days, as well as alcohol, tobacco, mouthwash, and toothpaste for a few hours.
- Saliva analysis: The quantity and smell of saliva are evaluated.
- Microbiological analysis: A PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) test is carried out to detect and quantify the bacteria that can cause bad breath.
- Chromatography: A chemical analysis of the gases in the mouth is conducted to determine the condition causing halitosis.
Once confirmed and treatment is applied, tests are carried out to determine the origin if it is not corrected within a specific time frame.
Treatment
The treatment of halitosis may vary depending on the causes that provoke it, as many times it is necessary to address more complex diseases. To eliminate bad breath, the following are usually recommended:
- Adequate oral hygiene, using specific toothpastes and mouthwashes, along with dental floss.
- Keeping the mouth hydrated.
- HCP Protocol (Halitosis Clinical Protocol) Arthyaga: Used by the Institute of Breath for the diagnosis and treatment of halitosis, it is a multidisciplinary approach designed by Dr. Jonas Nunes with a 97% success rate.
- Laser treatment to eliminate caseum from the tonsils.
