Halitosis And Its Causes

Halitosis, oral malodor (scientific term), breath odor, foul breath, fetor oris, fetor ex ore, or most commonly "bad breath" are terms used to describe noticeably unpleasant odors breathed out during respiration – whether the smell is from an oral origin or not.

Halitosis originates from the Latin word "halitus," meaning breath, and the Greek suffix "osis," meaning condition.  Halitosis most often results from fermenting of food particles by anaerobic gram-negative bacteria in the oral cavity, which produces volatile sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide and methyl mercaptan.

Halitosis has a substantial affect — both personally and socially — on those who have it or think they do (halitophobia), and is guessed to be the third most frequent reason for seeking dental assistance, after tooth decay and periodontal disease. It's thought to affect between 50 to 65% of the population. 

Although it's often the cornerstone for many jokes, Halitosis is not only an awkward condition but may possibly be the grounds for a bigger problem in the human body.  Folks who suffer with halitosis need to expose what the problem is and get proper treatment for their situation.  This condition shouldn't be brushed off but should be cautiously dealt with. 

Oral Care

A lot of people think that halitosis or bad breath is merely caused by inadequate oral hygienics and this may be the case.  Some people with bad breath simply don't mind their mouth or teeth.  All people need to realize that the teeth and mouth need to be cared for and cleaned often to prevent not only bad breath but other issues as well.  Old food particles, bacteria, yeast, plaque and other loathsome things in the mouth will all add to halitosis and need to be eradicated by careful cleaning and treatment.  This is something everyone can do without the assistance of a doctor, dentist or other professional. 

Cavities And Oral Infections

Other common causes of halitosis are tooth decay or other oral infections.  A man or woman  with good oral hygiene that still finds they have trouble with bad breath should set a date with their dental practitioner to check for potential causes in the mouth and teeth.  The dentist can help take care of problems with the teeth, gums and other oral regions.  If the dentist doesn't find a problem causing the bad breath they'll in all likelihood refer the patient to a physician. 

Medical Causes Of Halitosis

There are a lot of medical conditions that can cause Halitosis.  It may be as simple as a person’s dietary intake or may be something more grievous.  A person with chronic Halitosis should see an MD to make certain there's not an underlying medical condition that demands treatment.  A physician will be able to execute and order tests to preclude many of the causes of Halitosis. 

Occasionally a medication may have the side effect of inducing Halitosis.  In this case a physician can promptly decide the cause and can offer suggestions for controlling the problem. 

In Conclusion

Bad breath is not always caused by poor oral care practices. Sometimes there's an underlying cause relating to dental health or the health condition of the entire body including reactions to drugs.

As such, it needs to be addressed promptly to ensure that you don't suffer other harm in addition to some nuisance and public embarrassment.

So do yourself a favor and book an appointment with a dentist or doctor that can assess the situation and possibly prescribe an antidote.